 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JMB
Date: 2009-10-07 03:39
I'm in a fortunate situation where I go to school, and able to be in many different ensembles.
At the moment, I'm in 3 chamber ensembles-breakdown tango, spohr's 6 german folk songs, and ww quintet, 2 orchestras, wind ensemble, and big band on alto sax.
I'm not really worried about the chamber ensembles because I'm doing fine, but the bigger orchestra and wind ensemble is what I'm wondering about.
I'm able to get by...but not really play it at the level I know I could if I had more time to work on it. I'm principal in both orchestra and w.e. so that adds a tad more stress. Would it be better to cut down to like 3 ensembles next semester and really get the music down, or to get as much experience from as many different ensembles as I can.
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Author: ABerry
Date: 2009-10-07 04:36
Justin,
Must be nice to be able to play in so many groups...
I was in a similar situation during my senior year in college…I played in a chamber ensemble, ww quintet, an orchestra, preparing my Senior Recital and did my Student teaching. After four or five weeks I had to drop out of the quintet so I could concentrate more on my recital pieces. Now, some 30 years later, I'd love to be in one group…
Allan
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2009-10-07 08:01
I would suggest that if you are finding you are doing too much and want to cut down on the number of groups you play in, try to keep as many different types of group. For example 1 chamber ensemble, 1 orchestra, wind ensemble (symphonic wind band?) & big band. This will give you maximum exposure to different setups & different styles of music.
Like you, when I was at school, I played in everything going - school orchestra, wind band, recorder ensemble, choir, Area music centre concert band & orchestra, hepled out with training band, church music group, anything else going... The experience gained will last a liftime, and I wouldn't do anything different now, but... in retrospect, it was too much as it probably affected my school academic work.
In the end, however, its your decision.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-10-07 14:26
Your clarinet teacher is your best resource. She/he was undoubtedly in the same position as a student and also knows you and your playing.
You need to do justice to each ensemble you're in.
By the way, for the Spohr songs, you have a great opportunity to play a character in the drama. Read and reread the texts, and make yourself into a baby rocked in a cradle, a lover with an aching heart, a bird fluttering through the trees, etc. Listen like crazy to the soprano and work with her on matching your phrasing and tone colors.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-10-07 18:04
I think it partly depends on what you want to do with your music. Just have fun or become a pro. I'd suggest you cut down some instead of stretching yourself too thin. You're better off doing half very well than all poorly. If you want to be a pro it's important that you practice 3-4 hours a day, are you doing that? If it's just for fun, than do as much as you enjoy doing. Ken is right too, talk to your teacher about it as well. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JMB
Date: 2009-10-08 02:05
Well I'm a performance major, and yeah I do practice quite a bit to say the least; there are days where I rehearse ensembles 4-5 hours then hit the practice rooms with my regular practice. None of my music is played poorly, not even close in my opinion. It's just that I don't go to rehearsal with knowing my music in all ensembles, and I basically learn it while we rehearse which has been working out fine...just not at the level I can play a concerto or something. Got to perform the tango today though and that made it all worth it.
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-10-08 02:39
I didn't major in performance, so people with more knowledge and experience than I have may likely disagree with me. However, I think there is something to be said for having exposure to more and varied repertoire. I also think there is some value in becoming used to quickly preparing pieces for performance in an ensemble setting--or even performing a piece after a quick read-through (as I understand it, professionals often have to do that sort of thing).
So I guess what I'm saying is that you may be deriving some benefits from doing what you're doing that you could lose by reducing the number of ensembles you play in.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-10-08 15:28
How do you find time to satisy your academic requirements?? In addition to consulting your private teacher, you may want to run these issues bye your school advisor as well. Keeping your GPA and staying in school through graduation needs to be your main priority.
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