 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2001-01-10 23:35
Hello all!
I have an audition for a music conservatory next month. I know what pieces I'll be playing, but I don't know what scales I'll be asked to play. I have all of the major scales memorized, but some of them are pretty shaky. Any advice on how to really polish the scales? Also, should I work on the apeggios (sp?) I've been told that I shouldn't really worry about the minor scales. Hopefully that is true. Thanks!
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2001-01-11 00:16
A good way to smooth out the scales would be to practice with a metronome. This will even out the technical problems. As far as the minor scales goes, don't take them lightly. When I auditioned at Indiana University as an undergraduate, Professor Klug asked me to play a three octave F# minor scale. So do not take these lightly! Best of luck with the auditions!
Brandon
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-01-11 00:44
For a good conservatory the major & minor scales are de riguor - you should know them in all keys.
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Author: Julia
Date: 2001-01-11 01:48
If I may ask, where are you auditioning...and what piece (s) are you playing? Practice slowly and with a metronome....just run through your fingers so that even if you get nervous it won't matter. Also, for me, I find it easier not to think about how many sharps or flats the key may have---my fingers just know the scale. You should know your minor scales---melodic primarily, but also natural and harmonic; even though they might not ask you to play any...just in case.
Good luck,
julia
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-11 14:14
Francesca -
As you might imagine, this topic has come up several times. See the thread at <http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=6494&t=6479).
200 years ago, when you started out as an apprentice carpenter, your first job was to make your own tools. Only then could you learn to use them. Learning to play clarinet today is just the same. You can't buy the elements of your technique at Sears. You have to create them for yourself. "Classical" tonal music is made up of scales and arpeggios. You have to learn them all, major and minor. Only when you can play them all without having to think can you understand the notes fast enough to be able to play the music. See my longer explanation at http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=16717&t=16708.
It *is* possible to learn all the possibilities. Simply :-) master everything in the Baermann Method Part 3. Every conservatory player has to do it, and every professional player (who makes a living playing clarinet) has done it.
It's not easy, but there are organized ways of going about it. See my posting at http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=24907&t=24731. As I said there, going through it this way is about as much fun as eating light bulbs, but there's no short cut.
Those who make it as professional players -- those who have what it takes -- enjoy playing the instrument so much that it feels good even when they're drilling scales.
Once you've made your own tools, you use them for the rest of your life. Going to a conservatory gives you the chance to do this, and it can be done in 4 years if you really work on it. When you've really gotten it, you've joined an elite group. There's no feeling like it.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-01-11 19:20
Francesca:
I agree with all that has been said, especially Ken Shaw's comments. Not only did I play prosessionally in many various type organiations, but I taught band in public school situations for 37 years. I have a regular routine I go through in my warm ups that include all major scales, chromatic, minor., etc. I have played these so many times that I almost don't even have to think about them - they become automatic reflex action. My fingers just go the correct spots. This is the way it has to be learned so that you can concentrate on the Nuances of the music you are preparing. Get into a habit of regular repitition of essential items and you will be surprized how it easy it becomes. One important factor - be sure that you learn the correct fingerings for each of the scales so that they will not become a stumbling block to you later.
Best of Luck,
Bob Curtis
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2001-01-12 15:48
I have the Baerman methods book. It's really helped to learn the scales and arpeggios, but it has made me too lazy to memorize them. Also, the scales aren't always in the best form. Some don't start on the first note, etc... By the way, I'm applying at Colorado State and University of the Pacific.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-12 21:15
Francesca -
If you practice scales enough to learn them thoroughly, you will definitely have them memorized.
The form of the scales in Baermann 3 carry you to the bottom and top of the instrument, even if it means playing only a part of the scale at the extremes. This is deliberate. If you practice scales only starting on the tonic, then for example in the key of Eb, you will not learn how to play in that key for the major seventh at the bottom of the chalumeau. This would be a substantial gap in your technique.
The clarinet prof at Colorado State, according to their web site, is Charles Lawson. There was a clarinetist named Lawson when I was in the West Point Band many years ago. If it's the same one, he's a truly remarkable technician. From what I can tell by looking at the Colorado State site, http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Music/music/music.html, they have a music department but not a separate conservatory.
The clarinet prof at University of the Pacific is Patricia Shands, who has made a couple of recordings and is, from her resume, an active performer. See http://www.uop.edu/Conservatory/shands.html. UOP has a conservatory of music.
You can be sure that either Mr. Lawson or Ms. Shands will insist that you learn your scales in the most excruciating detail. When you go to an audition for a paying job -- something where people pay to hear you play -- you will be competing against clarinetists who can play for half an hour without making a single mistake. If you don't meet that standard, you don't get hired.
If you want to be a professional player, you can't be lazy. College is great fun, but it's also 4 years when you don't have to work full time and when you are at your best, intellectually and physically. If you take an evening off to go to a movie, you can be sure that other people will be in the practice rooms, particularly at a conservatory. One evening here and there doesn't matter, but it's the last chance you will have to perfect your art and your craft.
And still, it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2001-01-12 21:44
I do have to admit that the excruciating work required to go into music performance is not something I want to do. I'm willing to work hard, but I would like the knowledge of a steady paycheck and more interaction with people. I'm really looking more at music education and/or music therapy. I want to continue to play my instrument after college, perhaps in a local group or form my own ensemble. I've been told numeous times that I WILL memorize my scales at some point and time. I guess that is now. Oh well, better late than never!
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Author: Julia
Date: 2001-01-12 23:03
Francesca--that's exactly what I am pursuing...as a freshman in college studying music ed. Regardless of what major you choose to pursue, there is of course a level of musicianship we meet. Performance majors dream of playing their instrument all the time, and couldn't imagine focusing, or diverting their focus, to many other instruments (which is the case of music ed. majors) My advice for you: don't say you want to do music ed, or music therapy because you don't want to put in all the work of a performance major...the difference is in the kind of work--not necessarily the intensity or level of it. That's another really important thing to remember. I have heard from soooo many people that music education is looked down upon because you don't have to be as good at your instrument...that's not true, but it's a stereotype that definitely exists within the music world. Another thing...I never thought I was good enough to go into music, but I couldn't imagine myself majoring in anything else--even though I DO want to take other courses. At the school where I am, which is a tiny music school amidst a large university, it is friendly and everyone knows everyone else. The clarinet teachers are also demanding, and expect a lot. Sometimes I want more competition because it doesn't seem like I'm being challenged enough, but then I remember that its the improvment you make and the perfection you make yourself acheive that really matters (especially if you're not a performance major)
Good luck,
julia
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