 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-09-13 14:54
Are the number of clarinet player going up or down?
I'm taking a class at the local college and I one of one on the clarinet. This is about the same for the rest of the horns. However the number of people learning the guitar is about 40 or 50 to one.
Are we a dying breed?
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Author: william
Date: 2000-09-13 16:44
It has been my observation, over the past twenty or so years, that the number of wind and string players has been in a steady state of decline, perhaps due to the increased use of keyboard synthesizers (movie, TV, theaters and pop groups) in place of live musicians. Lots of my theater, recording and combo work in my home town has disappeared and been replaced by DJs or midi-keyboards capable of generating the sound of a whole orchestra with one talented keyboardist. Vegas, as an example, hardly uses any live music anymore for their lavish productions. Student musicians are not as likely, these days, to continue playing in adult groups after they leave high school as when I was young. We teach orchestra, band and jazz ensemble to students in school, but outside, all they listen to are slick pop group productions on CDs and videos that are dominated by the midi and electronic instruments, not the school instruments that we use. How do we reverse these trends????? I don't know. Perhaps someone on this board may have an opinion. Good luck, and for me for now, back to the practice room--I still have my symphony and concert band gigs (although the average age in these groups seems to be increasing with mine). Good luck.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-09-13 20:05
It probably has something to do with the nature of the instruments also. I would suppose that the vast majority (avoiding numbers for Mark) of woodwind or brass players begin their playing careers in middle school (age 11-13) with very few players deciding to learn the instrument for their own pleasure later in life. This is not the case for guitar, as the school system usually doesn't teach guitar. Guitar is often picked up later in life for personal pleasure (or to look cool, impress someone, etc.)
Bob, you have my highest respect for following through on your desire to learn this instrument. Just remember, this is for fun. If you want frustration, take up golf.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2000-09-13 20:13
One the other hand, how many clarinet professors and performance majors in US universities and colleges compared to 30-40 years ago? I have don't have any idea what the real numbers are, but I suspect that they are significantly higher today.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-14 01:34
I think [and hope] the cl-playing numbers are increasing! I just read my bass clarinet e-groups mail, an interesting bunch of good folk!, it took some time. Of course our BBoard has its exciting threads and the number of beginning cl'ists here, eager, nice kids, with cl's needing TLC, and them needing help they dont really know about, has increased greatly lately. I ,for one, don't fear we won't fill the orch-band seats. Quit rambling, Don
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-09-14 02:34
One of the things that I have noted on this board is the number of young people involved (under 55) and over (12). I would hate to see this wonderful instrument become a horn of the past. It took me 50 years to return and I really enjoy the time I spend with the music.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2000-09-14 09:36
IMHO the problem is not if the cl. is falling by the wayside, it is twofold. Band and orchestra audiences are not getting any younger. Take a look out there the next time you play and don't count the house, count the ages.
Also, how many high school bandsmen and orchestral players graduate into a community musical group? Personally, I never let a day go by without strummin' on the old baritone uke. Jim
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Author: Bob Sparkman
Date: 2000-09-14 10:06
I have one note (!) of encouragement for all of us --- have you noticed the number of upbeat TV commercials using clarinet to get positive messages across?! And there are still plenty of regional traditional jazz bands around using clarinets - it's just not a heavy commercial "media" thing, and maybe that's good.
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-09-14 17:54
Hi, Bob!
A few years ago our schools were in serious financial trouble, more serious than today, and needed to make budget cuts... big budget cuts. The first programs to go were the 'non-essentials', the arts - shop, crafts, music, theater. You heard about it. Kids needed only the three Rs, it was reasoned. That'd be sufficient; it was all anyone needed to 'make it' in the world.
Kids retained their interests (in the arts) but not as participants. School instruments and teacher/directors weren't affordable and those classes were cancelled. The kids accepted much of what was offered elsewhere(questionable stuff [in my opinion]), through 'the media', but had little opportunity to learn first hand, explore, contribute... think. They became generally, in this respect, detached.
Those folks who'd reasoned that bare basics were good enough for our kids finally, after a few years, had to re-think what was happening -- because the kids were stagnating. Music, drama, crafts, things like that, 'they' re-reasoned, were an important part of a person's development after all. Now there's an ungency to reinstate arts into school curriculums and hope there will be enough teachers to go around. We have a little more money these days to do it, by the way - it's become again 'comfortable'(affordable?). We're seeing results in positive ways. Overall grades are improving, slowly, painfully slow in some areas :[ but improving :] It may take years to undo - I'm no expert and I don't know what's happening throughout the country but, I think there are more school music, drama, crafts fair programs, at least locally, now than I've been aware of for a long time.
Some communities are still out of balance. Our local school music (band, orchestra) programs are getting more emphasis while our symphony orchestra went 'belly up' a couple of years ago due to bad management and a once strong theater group died from lack of interest.
Don't despair. Our city boasts a new baseball stadium and our Kings basketball team is nationally recognized as being pretty good.
We also boast a world-renowned four day annual Jazz Festival. The rest of the year we roll up the sidewalks at dusk
Well, Bob, it's guys like you, hands on music makers, who hang in there and inspire some of the rest of us to persevere. People look at you, Bob, and think... 'Hey, if he can do it'....
That'll rub off on some of our young people, who'll go on to inspire others.
From my viewpoint, I see more ups than downs. Don't you?
ron b.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-09-14 20:13
Ron you are so right. We don't know what we have until it is taken away. weather it be kids or old far-s like me it is never to late or to early to do what is good for our inter-self.
Glad to see there are others out there that are doing something to make better music.
When ever I get a chance to perform or play before a group--i always tell them that i have been at this less then a year and it not to late for them to get started.
a lot of people that have a lot of talent will never play or perform before a group. It takes nuts like me to spread the seeds.
peace
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-09-15 05:23
I still see about the percentage of clarinets in the local schools, most of which are all girl sections now as the boys now days seem more attracted to the more louder and more macho instruments like trumpets and the membrane-ophones. Saxes are getting a little more attention now lately with addition of more girls because of the Lisa Simpson character on TV. Problem is, when they graduate, the horns are sold or shoved into a closet when they leave the nest and pursue a career. Most all have never heard of community bands. Many are just burned out from marching band. I've seen several examples of the latter around here who related band with marching, not music. One of my assistant managers turned down a full paid scholarship with his trombone because he was sick of it and hasn't touched it since he graduated high school.
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Author: Bob Sparkman
Date: 2000-09-15 11:10
Can't let this one go! Couple of points -- unlike most other horns (except flute) the clarinet is so portable it can be sneaked into places no trombone or sax could ever go. I found a briefcase that was actually a clarinet case, and, while I fooled no one on my day gig with it, everyone sort of looked the other way, chuckling in amusement, while it gave me practice places and times I couldn't have gotten otherwise, like office after hours, and even public 'phone booths! At home, my horn was always out of the case so I could pick it up and play for the odd five or ten minutes when family obligations eased. I also always had my mouthpiece in my back pocket to blow in the car or any handy closet or empty elevator. So, as my constant companion, the clarinet was never allowed to sink under the weight of everyday responsibilities, and has remained my dear friend "thru thick and thin", and the older (!) I get, the more it repays me. What other instrument can do all that?!!!! Crazy?! Maybe. But at 72, I've seen a lot of people I know head for eternity, and most of my musician friends are still alive and kicking-- er-- playing. And playing opportunities seem, for me, at least, to have increased with age. So stick with it guys and girls. It gets better and better!!!!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-15 14:07
Vunderbahr, Bob, I sure couldn't have said it any better [at 81, looking forward to at least another 10]!! Don
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Author: Bob Sparkman
Date: 2000-09-15 14:36
Hey Don!!! Another twenty for you at the very least, I'll wager! You've made my day! Keep it up! All the best to you! Bob S.Don Berger wrote:-------------------------------Vunderbahr, Bob, I sure couldn't have said it any better [at 81, looking forward to at least another 10]!! Don
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-09-18 05:03
If I may, I'd like to make a few points. I've seen a lot more saxophones in school bands than there used to be even a few years ago. Clarinet numbers I think are about the same as they used to be. I think that quite a bit to do with this, is recruiting. A band director needs this or that instrument, so they'll push kids toward a certain instrument. I know a few clarinetists who are in the age range of 70 - 90. I have talked to them, and most of them say that the biggest inspiration to play clarinet... You guessed it, Benny Goodman. Most of my classmates that play clarinet have no idea who Benny Goodman is. There are a few of us that do truly enjoy the art of clarinet. My best friend was an excellent clarinetist, but he became a math major, and the clarinet started to collect dust. As for me, I'm hooked. The only way you're going to get my clarinet away from me, is to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers! I love to practice my clarinet. I know band directors often have problems with too many kids that want to play sax. I think that the decrease in serious clarinetists is due to the change in role models in music. Instead of Goodman, Miller, and the other big bands, its things like Kenny G. I think there lies our problem. Most of the time the only instrumental music kids are exposed to is jazz, like Kenny G. Some have speculated that big band was going to make a comeback. The modern versions include, Mambo No. 5, Jump and Jive, and things like that. Its a start, but its still no comparison to the skill and artistry of the big bands. Another thing, even if kids are interested in clarinet jazz, they are defied the whole way. "You can't play clarinet in jazz band, you'll have to learn sax." Mainly, the popular music has changed, and the schools are a little biased against clarinet as a "fun" instrument. If you don't like classical, there is plenty of non-classical music out there for clarinet. What about Klezmer, Jazz, and Polka? I never learnt about the clarinet's role in these in school, I learned on my own. Perhaps if we could make young clarinetists aware of the possibilities of the instrument. I don't really know the answer to this one. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Bob Sparkman
Date: 2000-09-18 10:50
Hi Nate -- YOU are the answer - you and all the young clarinetists who refuse to let the stodgy blanket of conformity and prejudice against the clarinet stop you!!! I promise, no matter what the end result is for you, you will never regret, and you will always be rewarded for, your efforts. By the way, Pat Metheny really scronches Kenny G in a recent issue of Jazz Times for his presumption in over dubbing on Louis Armstong's classic recording of "Its A Wonderful World". It is a beaut!!!! Best regards, and GOOD LUCK! Nate Zeien wrote:-------------------------------If I may, I'd like to make a few points. I've seen a lot more saxophones in school bands than there used to be even a few years ago. Clarinet numbers I think are about the same as they used to be. I think that quite a bit to do with this, is recruiting. A band director needs this or that instrument, so they'll push kids toward a certain instrument. I know a few clarinetists who are in the age range of 70 - 90. I have talked to them, and most of them say that the biggest inspiration to play clarinet... You guessed it, Benny Goodman. Most of my classmates that play clarinet have no idea who Benny Goodman is. There are a few of us that do truly enjoy the art of clarinet. My best friend was an excellent clarinetist, but he became a math major, and the clarinet started to collect dust. As for me, I'm hooked. The only way you're going to get my clarinet away from me, is to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers! I love to practice my clarinet. I know band directors often have problems with too many kids that want to play sax. I think that the decrease in serious clarinetists is due to the change in role models in music. Instead of Goodman, Miller, and the other big bands, its things like Kenny G. I think there lies our problem. Most of the time the only instrumental music kids are exposed to is jazz, like Kenny G. Some have speculated that big band was going to make a comeback. The modern versions include, Mambo No. 5, Jump and Jive, and things like that. Its a start, but its still no comparison to the skill and artistry of the big bands. Another thing, even if kids are interested in clarinet jazz, they are defied the whole way. "You can't play clarinet in jazz band, you'll have to learn sax." Mainly, the popular music has changed, and the schools are a little biased against clarinet as a "fun" instrument. If you don't like classical, there is plenty of non-classical music out there for clarinet. What about Klezmer, Jazz, and Polka? I never learnt about the clarinet's role in these in school, I learned on my own. Perhaps if we could make young clarinetists aware of the possibilities of the instrument. I don't really know the answer to this one. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2000-09-18 21:27
To increase the popularity of clarinets, someone creative and daring has to start a pop group that includes a clarinet - or - a music form that commonly uses clarinet has to become popular.
Which leads me to something that I've always wondered about - Why do most popular performers or groups always use the same (boring) instrumentation? Is there no one creative enough out there to create some new sounds? Why can't some bass lines be played on a bass clarinet for a change? Is it because you can sing and play a guitar simultaneously? But I don't buy that because Chicago successfully used a number of wind instruments to back up their singing. Yeah, that's what I contend - most popular musicians don't have the guts or creativity to develop a truly new and different sound. I dare someone to prove me wrong!
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