 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2009-07-13 16:58
the 3rd movement of the stravinsky 3 pieces? i'm just curious. i just started the 3rd movement with my teacher (havent done 1st or 2nd yet) and we just worked on the first line (4 or 5 measures). Its quite challenging for me but I think I will be able to play it with t he help of my teacher (tho probably not well) and i'm pretty excited that this may be an upper level piece. so does anyone know what grade it is considered?
thanks
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-13 17:20
IMO, I find the 3rd movement much easier than the second. Probably cause I don't need to worry about that silly break from chalemeu to clarion. Just get the rhythms and timing and grace notes. But I know it's rated harder, probably because of the frequent changes in meter and interesting dynamics in there.
I think if you search the board, there is bound to be a good writeup on it. Sort of a masterclass on it you can read through.
Alexi
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-07-13 21:16
SmartMusic has Stravinsky's Circus March for Band listed as Medium Advanced. (Clarinet 1 part is harder than Solo Clarinet).
That's a crazy tough piece which makes the 3 pieces 3rd mvt seem almost routine.
It's all relative. There are many, many grade 6 pieces that are much, much more difficult.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2009-07-14 12:16
well, so much for my excitement to think i was actually learning something that is upper level. i guess its only hard to me. like you said, its all relative. lol compared to what i have played in the past this is quite difficult.
thanks for your replies.
ps - how do you figure out what level something is? is there a website or something where you can look it up?
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2009-07-14 12:41
I think this question of assessing difficulty levels is always a bit arbitrary - pieces are difficult in different ways so that difficulty depends partly on the individual player's particular strengths and weaknesses. For example, one piece may have a very high tessitura which may not be a major problem if you happen to have good top notes. Another piece may have very fast passage work which some people may find easier than others. In a piece of any length or in several movements there may be a considerable difference in the difficulty level of different sections or movements too.
Also, there is a world of difference between being able to produce an approximation of what's on the score and being able to produce a really good performance of the same piece.
In terms of the Stravinsky, I didn't learn it until I'd been playing nearly 30 years when I did it as part of my university final recital and I would describe it as well towards the more difficult end of the mainstream repertoire (leaving aside very avant garde works requiring multiphonics etc). The third movement presents challenges in terms of the unpredictable rhythms and articulation and there are also some phenomenally long phrases which are hard to get through in one breath (well I found them so - I really had to work at it!).
May I offer a small tip for anyone planning performances of unaccompanied works, studies etc (be it at a concert, audition, exam) - towards the big day when you have got the notes etc under your fingers make it a point to play the piece twice through without stopping and do this two or three times each practice session - that way you will build up stamina and once through will seem much more manageable.
Good luck!
Vanessa.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2009-07-14 12:53
Vanessa
what a great post! I have been playing many many years, but have only had lessons for 2 years now and my teacher is really helping me progress.
I guess the difficulty of a piece really cant be clear cut as you said, the difficulties for each is different and it is also different within the piece itself. grading a piece just gives us a general idea - which is what i was looking for.
and thank you for the suggestion on unaccompanied pieces because in about a month i will be playing 1 "movemet" from the 6 Bach Suites originally for cello. I was supposed to have a recital but the pianist didnt work out for my other pieces (Brahms) so the recital was cancelled.
I am now in a Trio and will be performing one of the pieces i had worked on at our little performance. It will only be the second time I have played solo infront of people and the last time was about 20 years ago!
Post Edited (2009-07-14 12:54)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-14 18:50
janlynn, have you tried performing in front of friends and family before this performance? Helps to take a bit of that "public performance" edge off.
Alexi
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