 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beecee
Date: 2001-03-26 12:53
The idea of a master class sounds interesting, but just what are they? For example, in "The Clarinet" there is an add for a master class with three top guys. Do you get one hour with each? Is it private. These seem very expensive, so I would like to know every last detail before I commit. Anyone have any info or experience with these?
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Author: Jan
Date: 2001-03-26 14:25
i just attended a "clarinet day" on saturday which advertised a "master class". i was intimidated by that at first thinking i had to be really good to attend, but there were some kids thru professionals in attendence. at one point in the day everyone there who was a clarinet player went to the front. the speaker/conductor talked to us about practicing and what we should practice and why these things would help. we all got hand outs and together played the exercises and got comments from the teacher/conductor. it was very exciting, interesting, and an excellent learning experience. i assume this is what they are calling the "master class" advertised on the flyer. i would reccommend going to one. i got a lot out of it.
jan
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-03-26 17:37
Beecee -
A master class is a series of short lessons given to different players, on stage in front of an audience of other players. Over the course of an hour or two, a well known player or teacher will work on a sonata movement, concerto movement or orchestral solo.
Each master class is different, depending on the teacher and the players. I was at one with Anthony Gigliotti, and he worked on nothing but orchestral solos, as you would expect with the principal player of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Robert Marcellus did about half etudes and half orchestral solos. Phillipe Cuper had everyone do the Sutermeister Cappricio.
The students range from high school players to young professionals, and from super-prepared to totally unprepared.
You learn a tremendous amount by just being there, and even a lot more if you play, and I wouldn't want to be anything except prepared to the hilt. The more you know, the more you get out of it. One of my great thrills was to work on Shepherd on the Rock with Leon Russianoff many years ago in a master class.
I'd go to every one I could get to.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: beecee
Date: 2001-03-27 16:11
Thanks for that Ken, very helpful.
It sounds like you can attend but not particpate, just listen. Or you can bring your horn and get direct instruction, but in front of a lot people (those who listen).
Can you elaborate on being prepared to the hilt.
Thanks again,
barry
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-03-27 18:01
I wish I could find some clarinet master classes to watch, I have enjoyed these more than concerts really. In classical guitar mode I played in a few and went to one's by Julian Bream and Andres Segovia. It is even interesting to go to master classes by other instrumentalists actually. They often speak of how to make the music more expressive, not merely technique. I've gotten insight into the thinking of the greats.
I sure wish public TV would rerun 'Masterclass' with Segovia, from sometime in my childhood. My brother and I never missed it (there were about 9 classes in the series, each with a different young guitarist, Christopher Parkening was one I think.) The student would play beautifully and yet when Segovia played the passage back it was entralling and a level beyond.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-03-27 22:39
Barry -
Most people go to master classes to listen and absorb what the "master" has to say. When I went to classes by Anthony Gigliotti and Robert Marcellus, I learned a tremendous amount just by listening to them speak and play.
Only a few people get to play in a master class. If you do, you have to arrange it in advance, often before the workshop even begins. If you decide to play, you have an obligation to everyone else (not to mention yourself) to come in super-prepared, so as not to waste everyone's time. Even if you have worked on something for years, you have to be prepared to be picked to pieces. Read what happened to Daniel Bouwmeester, a professional player who is making his living playing clarinet, when he went to a tough teacher: http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=38845&t=38845.
Playing in a master class is a great experience, and probably the hardest work you will ever do.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Allison
Date: 2001-03-31 00:44
I have attended a few master classes but played for the first time in one last June at ICC 2000. I must confess it was an absolutely terrifying experience as I have never done any performing on an individual basis. But the fact remains I am still alive!! and yeah I am going to do it again this year. Sucker for punishment I guess.
One of the best masterclasses I attended as an observer was with Sabine Meyer. I was quite shocked however at the lack of serious interest displayed by the university students who were supposed to be there to learn. The class was supposed to end at about 5 but Sabine kept talking till nearly 7 pm and the students started getting up and leaving at about 4:30 or so. (It was a Friday nite and I guess they had more exciting things to do). I am an adult serious amateur and still take lessons and found it all quite valuable, and even more so at the very end when she offered free concert tickets to those who had stayed! So I got to see her do the Neilsen concerto the next night which only added immeasureably to the whole experience.
It is hard to find out about the masterclasses unless you are in the university circle. If you go to the university for any reason, it is worthwhile to check the student bulletin boards regularly as that is where they post masterclass info. The ones I have attended were all free but it is the students who are expected to play.
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