 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2014-07-28 23:26
I am in a community band (returned last fall after a decade absense but played regularly before that, including two summers at Interlochen). I have gotten back almost all of my skill and most of my stamina, and was lucky enough to qualify for 4th chair in my state's All State Community band. This means I am playing first chair, second part on most things, and first part on the Lord of the Rings symphony, so some challenging things.
The whole event takes place in one weekend, with four 2.5-3 hour rehearsals (three on Saturday with lunch and dinner breaks and one on Sunday morning), with the concert in the afternoon of the second day. Even in trying to practice I am noticing I am getting tired and I normally tire after our regular 2.5 hour rehearsal, although I can make it through that just fine normally.
Anyone have any tips on keeping my lip from giving out by rehearsal #3 or, worse, the concert? I have never done anything quite like this. Even at Interlochen rehearsals as I recall were more spread out so there was some recovery time.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-07-29 00:01
The good thing is that you won't be playing non-stop through the rehearsals or the concert. You'll have recovery time between rehearsals. A few suggestions:
1. Use something to protect your lower lip - EZO pad, folded cigarette paper, folded curler paper, florists tape - so you don't cut up your lip to the point of pain.
2. During the rehearsals stop playing occasionally for a few bars in loud tuttis when your part isn't prominent (or even audible).
3. Make sure your reeds are responsive and not too heavy. Don't try to play on harder-than-normal reeds because you think you need to lead the section - play on reeds that are comfortable and don't take "first chair second part" too seriously beyond having your parts well prepared and under control.
4. Have fun.
Karl
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-07-29 01:12
Use reeds one number softer than usual when you're playing 2nd clarinet, and 1/2 number softer when playing 1st.
As Karl says, use a protection pad over your lower teeth (and your upper teeth if you play double lip).
All bands play as loud as possible, especially at the first rehearsal. Never play louder than lovely. At pp, you shouldn't be able to hear yourself. At ff, you should be able to hear everyone else. Save yourself and blend into the section sound.
When you feel tired, "mark" by playing p or at most mf. Don't get pulled along by the excitement of playing with good people. Bring ear plugs in case you're seated too near the brass or percussion.
When the conductor stops to correct a problem, stop immediately. Don't noodle and don't try to impress or intimidate others.
On the second day, you *will* feel like a horse kicked you in the mouth. Use a second layer of lip protection and play softer.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2014-07-29 06:03
One might think that the members of an all-state community band would be good enough players to not need four 2 1/2 hour rehearsals to prepare for a concert.
That schedule certainly could deter some musicians from applying for the band.
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2014-07-29 07:05
These are the only rehearsals we have. It is all packed into one weekend so that people can plan way ahead schedule-wise. WE got the music earlier this summer and this Saturday will be the first time we all see each other and the conductor.
I can't imagine playing on a softer reed with my set up. Every time I try that they don't sound good past the first playing and tonguing is awful. I play a Vandoren V12 4 and always want to be able to play the with the same tone and quality whether playing 1st or 2nd part.
I am not trying to play on different reeds, either softer or harder -- that would be a recipe for disaster. I am however trying to break in enough new ones that they won't all die on me with that length of time playing. That is my bigger concern reed-wise.
What is an EZO pad? Are there wax or other types of pads made for the teeth? And if so where would I get them (music store? drug store?)
Good advice about playing softer when I'm tired. I will definitely keep that in mind.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-07-29 16:08
EZO is a denture cushion. It's made of gauze saturated with beeswax. The pad softens and shapes itself to your teeth when you warm it in your mouth. Each cushion is shaped to cover an entire gum (I have the ones for the lower gum, but I've never seen an upper cushion, so I don't know how they differ). You cut pieces off maybe a half inch long - enough to cover your two bottom front teeth - so each cushion produces several pads. You fold it over your teeth. Each one lasts a long while, so a box of them can last half a lifetime - I just bought my second box about three years ago and I've been using them and giving samples to students since the mid-1990s. Some pharmacies sell them. They turned out to be a little hard to find in stores in my area, and I had to go online to find out who was selling them (I think I tracked them down to Walgreen's, but I may have actually had to order through an online outlet).
Karl
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