 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2014-02-01 23:56
In my concert band for a particular concert(we rotate the parts), I was paired with the old section leader( we have a new one now) on 1st part. he sits first chair and I sit second chair. I was accused of not listening or blending with
the first chair person. My dilemma is that this person plays with his bell stuck between his legs while playing, never plays in unison with the band(listening across) and half the time off beat. I make it a point to listen across not only with the section but the band as a whole, and tune my clarinet with itself. He plays on a buffet R13 don't know what mp/reed, I play an Amati 615II FB
shorter barrel of the two and M13 profile 88 mp #3 vandorens or 4.5 Mitchell luries with a leather lig. What should I do or am I at the mercy of this person
only because he contributes to the band money and music wise. would the different clarinets make a difference. any advice is welcomed. If this has been discussed before direct me to the thread as I have not been on here in a couple of years and cant find what I looking for. thx
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-02-02 17:21
What proof do you have that you are "in tune"........
Bob Draznik
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2014-02-02 17:41
The section leader is not the only one who can ask to tune with others. You should take the initiative to tune with others around you. I assume you have a tuner. Not as a dictator but just as a friend, a fellow clarinetist, tune with those around you. Do you tune after you all warm up after a bit (10 minutes minimum?) Is the intonation off after you tune up individually or before? If the latter, what evidence do you have that either you are not the culprit or that someone else is? Is it just the section leader who is off from the band?
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: rmk54
Date: 2014-02-02 18:27
My teacher (Leon Russianoff) always told me that when playing in a section, the principal player (or in your case, section leader) is *always* right.
That means if s/he is a half-tone flat and a sixteenth ahead of the beat, so should you.
Let those higher up on the food chain decide if this is acceptable. Who knows, you could be wrong!
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2014-02-02 14:46
I have a tuner and I tune well with others in the section and I do warm up first before tuning what other proof do I need.
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2014-02-02 14:51
the problem is the person higher up on the food chain finds it acceptable
but the rest of the section and the band Does Not, so I don't believe I'm
wrong in this case.
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2014-02-02 14:58
obviously you didn't read this correct, the problem is with me and the first
chair person not the rest of the section. I tune and play well with the rest of the section just not this person. I am also not the only one in the section
who has problems playing with this person(first chair guy). This person
has also gotten complaints from other band members not in the section but who play around him.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-02-02 15:02
This is a matter for the band director to resolve if your attempts are not working. I guess you have to wonder why the director doesn't see this as a problem.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-02-02 20:10
If the section leader can't play in tune (or in time), than that's their problem and not yours. They should be moved down as they're clearly a passenger and not a section leader.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2014-02-02 15:22
I've had a similar issue in the past. IMO, this is a band director problem. If you believe you are playing well, that you are playing with the section, and the band director has NOT said anything to you or your section, clearly it is acceptable. If the band director hears something that needs to be changed, he/she has the responsibility to say something and point out that something needs to be changed.
In the meantime, if it IS an issue with with just one person, point it out to him/her. Be respectful, but bring it up. Check tuning before, during, and after a sectional so you can see how the tuning has changed throughout. Maybe it's an issue that that person just isn't AWARE of the problem.
But as far as the entire concert band goes, that's the director's call. If he/she isn't calling it, it's a failure at the director's level.
Alexi
Retired, playing more sax than clarinet, but still playing clarinet and still loving it!
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-02-02 20:35
You said you were accused of not blending with the first chair. Who accused you?
I'm assuming the first chair.
I wouldn't bring it up with him. It will only further irritate him. There's nothing you could say that will make it better. Lay low, do your job, and keep quiet. Blend in, pitch-wise and otherwise.
It's not your section and not your orchestra.
Just chalk it down as part of the joys of playing in an orchestra.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-02-02 20:51
This sounds like it's more to do with band politics than anything else - is this section leader a member of the band committee or high in the band hierarchy by any chance?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-02-02 16:54
But ya know, I find that there is usually SOMETHING redeeming in the person who is sitting first.
I was in an ensemble recently where the "principal player" was no longer capable of playing in tune (hearing aide, lack of hearing aides, who knows), but as as solo part came up it was really quite astonishing what this person did with the phrase, particularly the rhythm which was actually quite beautiful.
When you are in your eighties I hope some community band will take you in so there is somewhere for you to go to play music.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-02-03 01:01
I was just playing my clarinet and I had a brain storm. You said that he plays with the bell between his knees.
Lots of people who use a DLE support the clarinet between their knees. I do myself (when I play with a DLE - a few minutes during every warm-up).
Could it be that the first chair is in better tune than the rest of you because he's playing with a double lip embouchure, and that you guys ARE out of tune a little?
Maybe you should re-think the whole thing and ask him respectfully. Perhaps you could learn something.
B>
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