 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MeGustaLaClarinet
Date: 2014-05-16 20:15
This up-coming marching band season will be my last *sniffle* :'(
But my band director has nominated me and a person one year my junior for the section leader position. I have to write a one-page paper about why i would be a good leader, and how me being leader would support the band.
Writing essays are my forte (lol see what i did there?) and i have planned what i am going to write in it, however i want to add tips and tricks that i could use to help the clarinet section in marching band.
Pretty much, i am looking for tips and tricks to help the clarinet section. We will have 13 members this year (in a band of 56) and last year (with only nine clarinets and 56 members in the band proper) we could only be heard in our features, and barely in the opener and closer. You couldn't hear us at all during the drum break
Anywho, i know the think where you stuff the bell of your clarinet with your swab and try to play, i have done that before (and i works wonders)
I also know to keep a dollar bill in your case for competitions and practices when it rains, because the cotton in the dollar soaks up the water in your pads to dry it out and helps them keep longer.
Thank you, all and any help would be greatly appreciated.
...Scratch that... Reverse it...
P.S. The current high school clarinet section (only four in the high school band) can play better, louder, and more in tune than our trumpet section...
I have been playing clarinet for 6.5 years.
I play my LJ Hutchen Clarinet in marching band rehearsals. I play my Pan-American (1941) clarient in concert band, and marching band competitions, just as my great uncle, gramma, and mom have on this clarinet.
Post Edited (2014-05-16 20:26)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-05-17 15:07
You get at a very important element when you speak of "playing in tune." As a section, you will sound the most powerful if you guys can 'lock in' on pitch. By extension, the band will sound best when each section can 'lock in' to the pitch with each other. That is, playing in tune with the saxophones when you guys are in your chalumeau register, or playing your high melodic parts in tune with the trumpet section. Ideally each section will also try to maintain a decent pitch but failing that (and it WILL fail) if you can try to be more flexible and play UP (and that's usually the direction pitch goes) to where the "other guys" are playing at the time, the effect produced will be much more pleasing.
And if the pitch is too wonky between the clarinets and section "x," it is probably best to not try and 'out blow' section "x."
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-05-17 19:07
It just occurred to me that this can be said as a directives for your paper:
o Match "the pitch of the moment."
o Listen across the band.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: MSK
Date: 2014-05-19 03:01
What about precision of marching technique: synchrony of foot and instrument position, doing the formations cleanly, that sort of thing. This one area where the woodwinds are as important as then noisy brass and percussion. I recently saw some really bad marching bands who lacked this skill.
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Author: TAS
Date: 2014-05-20 07:11
Better still, volunteer to play a Bass Drum. Rhythm is more important than a squeaky clarinet.....
TAS
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-05-22 06:33
The most important things in playing clarinet in marching band:
1. Step in time and stay in formation.
2. Have good posture.
3. Make sure everyone is playing.
4. Make sure that you are doing all the required special moves.
5. Dodge any flags that come your way.
Notice that I didn't mention anything about playing the clarinet. . .
You can have a fabulous section in symphonic band, but there is a fine line between a bad marching clarinet section and a good clarinet section. . The problem with marching clarinets (as you may know), is that the clarinet faces DOWN, and 90% of the sound is lost to most people, even from the sideline. Whereas, a trumpet player doesn't have to work very hard to get a loud sound. Also, the volume you may use to run through a piece inside is usually right, but you have to play "blastissimo" to get the sound to get anywhere on the field. Which in turn will make you go flat. Because of this, a fine clarinet section can sound mediocre or almost inaudible on the marching field, but tear-jerking on stage. Try not to spread your sound out by playing too loud. This can be tempting in marching band, but this habit of sound production is hard to break for concert music for some players.
"Never play outside of your best sound."
Make no mistake, clarinet sections CAN be heard on the field. That is, when everyone else drops out.
Try to improve your section's playing for the sake of symphony band, not marching band. Focus on the VISUAL aspects of playing for marching band, because its only 50% playing anyways.
What would really help is having a "Section Song" to play in games, pep rallies, etc. You could have the first one be just your section, or be you and the saxes, flutes, etc. Playing as a group in a small setting can help the players see what they need to do to pull their weight. And, this will help them have better confidence and morale in the section.
Also, good maintenance habits are CRUCIAL to go over in marching band as well as new members, because many players tend to forsake their instruments in marching band more than symphonic
*Disclaimer*- I played clarinet in a section of 11 out of 40 winds. Even in a 1/4 of the band, we still could barely be heard. These comments are based on my personal experience.
Post Edited (2014-05-26 07:26)
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