 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2001-01-17 21:49
Hi all! I just got an email from one of the colleges I'm applying to and the music conservatory would prefer I audition on my soprano clarinet. There are several problems with this: 1) I primarily play the bass clarinet, odd as that may seem
2) the soprano I own is a 6 year old plastic buffet, not exactly the best thing for an audition for a prestigious conservatory. I have all plans for buying a better soprano, I just won't have it in time to audition. Should I try to "bargain" with the instructor, or should I perhaps give up on this college, as I won't be able to afford it if I don't get a music scholarship? I do have to admit that I don't like the close mindedness of only wanting soprano clarinet. The bass clarinet deserves its own spotlight!
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2001-01-17 22:12
I'm not surprised at all that the school wants you to audition on clarinet. My band director once told me (actually, he tells me everytime I whine about having an easy part, which is just about everyday), that colleges think it's great if you play a bass clarinet, or in my case, contralto. They just have to hold you to the same standard as they hold the soprano clarinets to, and it's harder to do that on a big clarinet. Don't worry, the bari sax players have to audition on alto sax, if not a totally different woodwind.
I'm not so certain that your soprano won't do just fine. Six years old isn't that old for a clarinet (my plastic one is about 14, and is a fine instrument). Maybe you should just have the soprano you have now cleaned up for your audition. That way, if you want to sell it later you might fetch a better price.
I certainly agree with you, bass clarinet should have it's own special spotlight, and it's not really fair to the bass clarinet player, but that's the way it is, and we'll just have to live with it until low clarinet players take over the world...
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-01-18 00:47
J. Lawrie Bloom, the bass clarinet of the Chicago Symphony, once said at a master class that he was a soprano clarinet player who just happened to get a job playing bass (paraphrased because I can't remember the exact words, but it's pretty close).
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2001-01-20 18:13
You can shop around, but I think that you're going to have to play soprano a certain amount anywhere you go. Just tell the folks your situation and perhaps you can audition on both instruments.
The Buffet plastic is a fairly good instrument. Just make sure that it's in good repair and that you're used to playing it. As audition time approaches you might be able to borrow a better instrument, or maybe not. Personally, I think that they'll see your talent--even through a plastic instrument.
Allen
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Author: cass
Date: 2001-01-21 21:25
If I found myself in your spot, I would take in the plastic soprano clarinet I was used to, not go into an audition with an unfamiliar clarinet. Just my opinion, but I know I play better if I play on something I know very well. There are enough distractions in an audiion without trying to remember what new things to do. If you play your best with the "handicap" of a plastic student clarinet, I think it will count more favorably for you than if you play less well on a better clarinet.
I definitely think you should go ahead and audition, FWIW. Why assume failure? Why give up in advance? It can't hurt to try. All it hurts you is some lost pride if you don't get the scholarship. They're not going to send a letter around with you for the rest of your life everywhere you go, saying, "Oh, screwed up this audition!" and if you do get in with a scholarship, that's great!
Good luck!
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