 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2009-07-28 13:44
this song would sound amazing at 120mm. (Gigue from a Bach Suite)
i can perform it very well at 100-104 but it isnt anything spectacular.
at 105-107 i can do it fairly well with the possibility of a mistake or two because of nerves.
at 108-110 when im on, it sounds awsome, but when im off, it sound sloppy and jumbled.
cannot do it faster than more than 110
I will be performing for a small group soon - 20 or less people. i know the general consenus is not to rush and to go slower than practiced. but i am having trouble deciding what speed i should go for as sometimes i can get it up to 110 without any mistakes, but other times it just sounds like a jumbled mess. playing it at the slowest speed will insure i will play it perfect, but it wont be as exciting as a bit faster. what should i do?
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-07-28 14:51
Record yourself in front of a Video Camera - make yourself uptight a little bit.
See how it goes at the close to loosing it speed, then take it down a notch.
I'd say 106 as a happy medium. Remember though than when you are nervous you might be taking it several clicks faster just from your nerves so be very aware of that possibility.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-07-28 16:59
I always tell my students it is better to play a little slower and play accurately and musically. I would much rather hear a performance where it was convincing, rather than messy.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-28 18:25
I'm with Ed on this one. I'd rather hear music. A flub or two (IMO) are ok. It's a live performance, and noone, NOONE is perfect. But I want to hear music made out of it.
Alexi
Although I am NOT a professional, just an enthusiast who happens to play clarinet for the army. So I've heard people play music, and I've heard people slop through stuff trying to show off, and people that just suck. I prefer the music.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2009-07-28 18:37
thanks for the replies everyone. i will go with a slower speed and play it musically.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-07-28 20:03
Sometimes playing it too slow is not playing musically. Play it as fast as you can possibly play it musically. Playing a lively piece to slow can really be a drag so put as much life in it as possible. One or two mistakes is not a big deal but don't play it so fast that it's sloppy. If you can now play it at 104 you should be able to get it to about 108-112 by playing it through 4-5 times a day at 104 and each day trying it once or twice at 108. When you can do it at 108 do the same thing for a few days and then begin trying it at 112. Settle at the tempo you can make music. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2009-07-28 22:32
sfalexi,
As a musician hired by the army, you ARE a professional clarinetist, not an "enthusiast."
Chris Hill
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-07-28 23:20
David says:
"Playing it musically should be your end goal regardless of the speed."
Agreed, but my point was that sometimes you hear a performance that sounds as if it is a struggle and ends up very unmusical because much of the effort is spent just trying to get through.
FWIW- I agree pretty much with everything that has been said above.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-29 13:03
Chris,
I understand that, but most people, when referring to a "professional", are thinking of someone that is far and above my calibur of playing. Sure I play clarinet for a living and am getting paid to do so, but (unfortunately) I do know Army musicians who I would not hire for a professional gig. They may have the job, but IMO, don't deserve it based on skill or other professionalism.
Then again, I'm sure there are those types of people in ANY profession.....
Alexi
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-07-29 16:03
Jan sent me a recording of her playing this piece and I found the tempo to be fine for the dance style of the piece she is talking about. I made a few musical and tonal suggestions for her and I think she is do a fine job at her performance. ESP
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