 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-01-16 15:05
Dear Abby,
Okay, our neighbour across rented out one child's room to a student. Now that student is a music major (what is the comparative or superlative of a major?), on clarinet, to be specific.
He's a nice person and apparently quite a fervent practicer, I get Rose and Klose all day, and then some more. He's a zillion times better than I could ever be. It's frustrating, but I can live with that. Such is life.
But now his landlady aka our neighbour approaches me and suggests we two play together, for fun and such. (I feel like Bertie when his mother suggested Olive came and we'd play house).
I'm just a small time bandsperson and would like to spare to everyone the embarrassment of a pointless jam session, I'd rather uncork some wine and we'd get drunk peacefully. What should I do?
Clueless in Zurich,
--
Ben
Post Edited (2010-01-16 16:21)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2010-01-16 15:39
Dear Clueless.
You state, "I feel like Bertie when his mother suggested Olive came and we'd play home."
Well then, emulate Bertie's creator* and take up the bassoon.
All the best,
Abby
*(The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith, who plays bassoon in Scotland)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2010-01-16 15:41)
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Author: ISM
Date: 2010-01-16 15:51
What a wonderful opportunity to make a good friend and learn something new. I'm sure you can find some duets that are beautiful but not beyond your ability. With your extensive knowledge, of course you'll add to the relationship.
I just wish I had a clarinet playing neighbor!
Imre
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-01-16 16:18
> Well then, emulate Bertie's creator* and take up the bassoon.
??? OMG! (name and position withheld as not to spoil the story)
> *(The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith, who plays
> bassoon in Scotland)
Oh, that's better. He plays bassoon, really?
--
Ben
Post Edited (2010-01-16 16:21)
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-01-16 18:26
Playing with someone who is better than you are is always a great way to learn to play better. A friend and I (used to) get together regularly and play saxophone duets. Another friend played the Mendelssohn ConcertPiece in F minor with me on a recital. My clarinet tone and saxophone tone have improved greatly through doing this. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity because of that. Take advantage of this great experience. It's like having free lessons!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-01-16 20:43
Strange to say, the guy across the street has problems too.
First, he's trying to break into the big leagues and has his own monsters. Ricardo Morales makes everybody feel like a beginner.
Second, playing duets is fun, even if the players aren't a good match technically.
Third, when you're the best player in the room, you need to start doing something new -- helping the less-good player get through the duet. Making zero mistakes, keeping the tempo metronomically even and playing each phrase musically aren't enough any more. The better player's new responsibility is to listen like crazy and to adjust to stay with the weaker player, even if this means going all over the place. An important part of real virtuosity is doing what it takes to let everyone else play better, while hiding it from the audience.
Even as the less good player, you're still you and have something to contribute.
You and the other fellow may play together only once, or it could become a regular thing. Either way, you'll learn something and have some fun, and both of you will build up credit with the homeowner across the street. She will remember and will look for ways to do you both a favor. Learning how to keep other people happy is the fourth level, and there are many more above that.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-17 15:41
Find a duet book that you can handle well and bring a bottle of wine to the session, a 1.5 litter, two glasses. Make sure you keep filling his glass. By the end of the session you may receive many accolades. At least you'll feel very good about yourself. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-01-17 16:40
I'm enjoying the suggestions! The original message does raise another question:
>>But now his landlady aka our neighbour approaches me and suggests we two play together, for fun and such. >>
Since I've never met your or the neighbor have have never heard either of you play, I'm not even going to try to guess whether you'd enjoy playing together. But, before you commit one way or the other, is there some way you can delicately determine whether or not the clarinet-playing neighbor suggested inviting you? Or is playing together entirely the landlady's idea?
(I'm reminded of a scene -- I think it might have been in the old TV comedy series, "The Little Rascals" -- where one child proposed to two others, "Why don't you an' him fight!")
If the landlady thought up this musical matchmaking idea all on her own, then she may have put both of you in an awkward situation. But, maybe the new neighbor heard you play through the window and said something that gave the landlady the idea. If it's coming from the clarinet player, then he's already decided there's not too much of a gap between your playing and his.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-01-17 19:30
Talk to the guy and go from there.
I used to have wine with my reeds, too.
And duets are very helpful --even if they are not written by (shudder) Poulenc.
And, I find it extremely helpful to play with people (not rare) who are better than I. It can be embarrassing, but it pressures me to improve; and that's what I'm here for.
Bob Phillips
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2010-01-18 17:17
If you are playing music for any reason other than fun than quit!
Music is supposed to be enjoyable!
David Dow
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