 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-03-16 02:03
I am in training right now and as part of the musical ensemble I'm in, I've been playing a LOT of tenor sax. Haven't played it in YEARS before coming to this training, but after about a month and a half on it I'm remembering just how fun HS jazz band used to be on tenor and I really want to continue getting back into it.
So what is a good way to divide the day between clarinet (my main) and sax (my secondary)? For sax, I'd be interested mostly in pursuing jazz (probably spend a lot of time with realbooks and have my clarinet there too), but I'm just wondering what you doublers do/did to start building up that second instrument.
Alexi
PS - Videos of our performances will be forthcoming in a couple days. Will be split up to youtube clips.
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2011-03-16 02:03)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-03-16 02:49
Not a fair question, Alexi, because most of us are not paid to play our instruments all day (if at all) --- we have day jobs, remember?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-03-16 03:01
Alexi, I've been a doubler throughout my musical career and suggest that you not worry too much about maintaining dedicated time slots for clarinet and sax.
If you focus on the tasks at hand--preparing your material on either instrument for upcoming lessons, rehearsals, and performances--the time allocated on each instrument will naturally take care of itself. Just do it!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-03-16 03:16
lol. Sorry Dave. I forget about those so called "day jobs" I heard of....
Good point Ursa. Also, it was heartening to me to feel like I could still put on a pretty good performance after (essentially) ten years off the sax.
And for those interested, the videos will be up in another thread in a few days. It'll be an example of what a group of army bandsman can do given 6 weeks (we just met each other seven weeks ago and formed the group 6 weeks ago), rehearsal time, some clever instrumentation and arranging (jazz french horn anyone?) and the versatility of army bands. You'll be hearing from our six person group some dixieland, funk/rock, pop classics, and brass band. Of the six people, only two stayed on their main instrument throughout. The drummer, and the lead trumpet. The rest (me included) played both primary and secondary instruments depending on the particular piece of music.
Alexi
PS - I'll put it up here provided I clear it with the higher ups. Shouldn't be a problem as I hope to show you guys that, yes, we ARE professional musicians, and maybe even snag a few more clarinetists for the Army (still short a few, and I can't put together my clarinet quartet at Fort Gordon with only TWO clarinetists!!! C'mon and sign up!)
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: A Brady
Date: 2011-03-16 04:38
Yes, good advice to practice the music at hand.
A couple of years ago I was subbing both reed books here in NYC at the Big Apple Circus: challenging charts (not your typical Barnum and Bailey marches/galops) and many instruments. Frequently I would sub one book for the matinee (flute, alto sax, bari sax), and the other book in the evening (clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax.)
To keep these various instruments at the required high level is challenging, but can be done with daily practice based on the upcoming schedule. Obviously, finding good reeds for everything is also a challenge, but can be done with good cane and proper balancing.
My colleague Sal Spicola, a master of all single reeds, flute and piccolo (Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, many Broadway shows, etc.) told me that it's simply a matter of adequate practice time/hard work on the various horns. He would famously put in 2 hours a day on each of 4 doubles ON THE ROAD, but Sal is a bit of a genius.
Bottom line: practice for the specific gig, learn reed adjustment, find mouthpieces/set-ups that are in the same ballpark, and realize that there are only so many hours in a given day.
Enjoy!
AB
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: samohan245
Date: 2011-03-17 22:30
Well, it's been awhile since i posted here, but this post is perfect welcome back.
Lately I've been intensely working towards auditions for colleges next year, but I've deeply involved with jazz band and drum corps.... yes I said Drum Corps. I am fortunate to have an independent study during school, which is 85 minutes a day. I like to alternate between instruments daily. Thus meaning I play clarinet one day, Baritone the next and alto sax the day after that. i try to keep that pattern. so far my embrochure hasn't changed all that much going from a brass instrument to clarinet, but i always feel it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-03-18 14:34
One exercise that was just suggested to me was to take some time and go back and forth from one to another. In a practice room, play about a minute of long tones on the clarinet. Then put it down and switch to a minute of long tones on sax. Should be VERY useful in establishing a "quick switch" embouchure.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
