 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Margaret
Date: 2009-04-11 15:52
Good luck with your clarinet; I'm sure you'll have fun :D
Margaret
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: myshineyblackjoy
Date: 2009-04-12 11:42
What a wonderful story. It's fun to hear how people got started playing Clarinet. My story is not as long but, I will share it with you anyways. In 1969 (5th grade) we all went to the gym to try instruments we might want to learn how to play. I had my heart set on the flute,I wanted to play like Burtin Cummings from The Guess who. As usual I was talkng too much and ended up close to the end of the line we were waiting in. when it was finally my turn I asked to try the flute. Mr Gonda (the conductor) said, sorry we have enough flutes. Here try the trombone. I was devestated,I didn't want a manly tromebome. I wanted a girly flute. Then he handed me a clarinet. It felt very natural in my hands and I had a decent tone. So I decided clarinet it was. And I have been in love with the clarinet ever since. I did go on later and pick up the flute,but always go back to my clarinet. The joy I feel when playing is beyond words...
Pamela J.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Nasubi77
Date: 2009-04-15 19:53
Here's how I chose clarinet:
I started piano lessons at age 5, because a cousin I looked up to took them and taught me simple tunes starting at age 4. Music, in general, has always come very naturally to me, no matter what instrument and I attribute that to my early beginning.
In 5th grade, we had to take a string course as part of the elementary school's music program. Every student had a 6 weeks session on violin, cello and guitar. I did violin first and loved it. Started taking private lessons and in 6th grade, was in the middle school orchestra. My best friend played clarinet in band, because her mom had played clarinet.
My family moved in the middle of 6th grade to a school system that did not have an orchestra program, so in 7th grade I had to pick a band instrument. I chose clarinet because of my best friend from my old school.
I'm lucky in that I have a lot of natural musical talent. I can do on sight what takes many people HOURS of practice. The downside of that is that I learned to be lazy...I never really worked hard at playing, although I maintained principal chair in every band I sat in, even in college.
[Insert long story here] I didn't finish my degree, and let the clarinet drop to the wayside for a few years. After I recovered from my "burnout" I joined a local University's symphonic band. Did that for a bit. Took another break. Then joined a community orchestra. Did that for several years. Took a break, but I always end up missing playing so much, so now I'm back in the community orchestra again.
So, from an old has-been. . .
Best of Luck to You!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: soybean
Date: 2009-04-23 06:30
Nice progress you're making. Keep up the practicing and soon you'll be getting over the hump and having even more fun. by the way, the Yamaha 250 is really an excellent instrument. I use mine all the time.
~Dan
(Leblanc Bliss, Buffet R13 key of A, Yamaha 250 Bb)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: soybean
Date: 2009-04-23 19:29
It may be a bit early to get another horn, but if you can afford it, why not? I would recommend the bass clarinet before the alto.
~Dan
(Leblanc Bliss, Buffet R13 key of A, Yamaha 250 Bb)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2009-05-02 03:59
For a person just getting back into it and the kind of work your doing, I don't see anything close to an R13 being needed. I'm sure someone else will come along with the entire spiel but basically "the player makes the instrument, not the instrument the player." I have never played the model instrument you have but I would think it would be more than adequate for most anything.
As for the bass clarinet comments before, the yamaha 221 is an excellent horn. Maybe the ones he has encountered before haven't been adjusted properly or maybe he only believes in professional equipment. A fellow bass clarinetist who is graduating just went though college on one of them as a music ed major.
As for "costing over 4 grand" for a good bass clarinet, I think that is a little crazy. Personally I did spring a bit more than that for my selmer 67 but a slightly older great instrument can be found for much cheaper. You will lack the low C range on them more than likely but they can be beautiful instruments. I know in the first post you said you have a liking for new things...and in that case it might well cost a pretty penny to get a bass clarinet. I think the beginning resonite/hard rubber new bass clarinet starts somewhere between $1500-1800. Through highschool I very successfully played on an old wooden noblet. and I have seen some of the older wooden bass clarinets sell in that same range.
As for greenline instruments, those are the Buffet professional non-wood model instruments if you are unsure of what they are. A Bb greenline costs the upwards of 3 grand and a bass clarinet (which just very recently came out into production) would be in the upwards of 9 to 10 grand.
Good luck though and keep playing!
But bassically I would think for a community band that you spoke of you would be fine with your current Bb clarinet and if you decided to switch to a bass clarinet any well kept instrument (no leaks/bad pads) would be fine. These are also solely my opinions which are bassed on limited experience through highschool and one year of college and a little time in a community band.
(I feel like I wrote a lot of redundant stuff...Sorry!)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2009-05-02 14:28
For the most part, the last chair bass clarinetist doubles on the contra instrument required, and in the case of two contra parts, the last two.
I would say specialize might be a tad strong, but I would say moreso on Bb contra bass rather than the Eb contra alto. Maybe a few professionals really specialize on it but I think most bass clarinetists and pick one up just as well as a bass clarinet.
I double on both Bb and Eb contra but it is really an unpleasant experience even though I love the instruments themselves. Unfortunately, they college doesn't see fit to keep them regulated properly and send them to a good tech.
If you are looking to really get into the low clarinets, Start with bass and then make your way down. That would be my opinion. and oftentimes, the organization might provide a contra clarinet to you since the starting ones range in the 3-4 thousands and the professional Selmer Contrabass is around 40.
Just my opinions. I hope someone else will chime in.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-05-02 21:17
I have been "lurking" here to see what other experienced cl'ists might have to say. I have played cls for nearly 80 years, mainly sop. Bb with saxes for "dance band and combo" work, then retireing [somewhat] to community band playing where the bass cl was needed, so I provided it, and when others showed up, went to alto cl and was pleased with it also. In my experience , neither of the contras seem to do much more than double the tuba ]small and large] parts and thereby are an expensive, hard to play inst. The bass cl to low Eb is much more useful, and unless your desire is for symphonic or "modern" concert band use, to me, the additional cost of the 3 more [low] notes of the low C, are not worth it and the learning how to play them !! Over all, I suggest you re-learn the Bb [well] for a few years, and then consider the bass cl. [my favorite horn]. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-05-04 18:06
Herbert Stahr is certainly one of my main inspirations. He was a stalwart in the clarinet section as assistant principal for many years. More often than not you will hear him in many fine Berlin Phil interpretations. His Beethoven and Schubert septets and octet recordings are among the very finest. A superb Brahms and Weber Quintet recordings appeared years ago on Philips but I believe only the Brahms made it to CD.
As well I had the great fortune of studying with him one summer and can say his humility and humor and relaxed attitude was truly a delight. He had a super ear but ..but in spite of his terrible english I have to admit I learned alot from him that summer in 84...
so much so I kept on playing. His sense of line and tone really shaped some great recordings in Berlin. I think Leister was pretty much in awe of him according to some freinds in Berlin who studied with him as well.
Alas he did not teach much ...maybe someone out there knows if he is still going?
His Beethoven Septet with the Berlin Philharmonic Octet is still the benchmark record. He was a very kind and relaxed man. There you go..
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2009-05-09 02:06
xeys_00 wrote:
> Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I will leave
> it up for a few more days, or weeks, then probably shut it
> down.
That's something the moderators can do ... it's up permanently, though ...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
