 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ben Shaffer
Date: 2015-10-03 17:39
Ive been playing the Clarinet again now for about a year and a half after having only played in elementary schools years ago.
I just know went to a local Horizons Band yesterday.
I set between a 3rd chair and first, observed, but did not play.
I think for me playing the first chair would be a bit of a stretch at this point and besides they have several first chair players.
My question is which chair would be better suited for an Adult Learner, second or Third.
What are the big differences between the 2 ... in general?
Thanks!
Ben Shaffer
GSO,NC
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Author: Kel
Date: 2015-10-03 18:59
As a fellow adult re-learner who has recovered mot of my skills on sax but still struggle some with clarinet, here are my impressions:
Aside from the obvious tendency for third parts to be in a lower register, third parts may require more "independent" counting. At times they depart considerably from what the other clarinets are playing. Seconds will more often play in harmony with first clarinets. Both parts can be fun.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-10-03 19:01
I was in a similar situation when I picked up the clarinet a few years ago after a 47 year hiatus. I joined a newly started New Horizons novice band as an adult learner. I found that my skills came back fairly quickly, and I played 1st clarinet because I was more advanced than the other adult novices who started with me. I still play 1st with them, and have since joined another band, which has a much higher standard of musicianship. I play 3rd clarinet with this band.
With both bands I have occasionally played 2nd. In general there's not a lot between 2nd and 3rd, although the 2nds parts are sometimes a little more complex. I find that although you sometimes need to earn your keep, playing 1st is relatively straightforward as you get to play the theme, whereas on 2nds and 3rds you play harmony parts which are sometimes a greater test of reading and timing. If your skill level is low, start on 3rd, because in most cases it won't matter a lot if you miss a bar here or there, while the 1st and 2nd parts are more important.
Tony F.
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Author: derf5585
Date: 2015-10-03 19:08
New Horizons Band
http://newhorizonsmusic.org/
fsbsde@yahoo.com
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2015-10-03 19:42
Doesn't the band director have a say about where you sit? (I've never played in a New Horizens band).
When I started playing in a community band on clarinet, my total clarinet experience was 2 yrs of lessons in high school and 2 years in a concert band in college, 15 years earlier. I played 3rd until not enough 2nd's showed for a concert, and they moved me up.
My opinion, especially as I was trying to relearn or acquire clarinet skill, is that 3rd is significantly easier than 2nd, and that 2nd is deceptively difficult because that part has you going over 'the break' (forefinger A to all finger B) more often. That may not be an issue on easier music, but it was noticeable to me in standard concert band literature. The first part was for serious clarinetists - which has never been me. Thirty five years later, I still am uncomfortable with high notes, but am comfortable with 2nd, 3rd or bass clarinet. I also play sax (my primary instrument when young) when the rare opportunity arises.
If it is your choice, play 2nd. The practice you get going over the break will be very useful. If you want practice on high notes, go to 1st.
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2015-10-03 21:13
For some time now I'm playing Second with Irish folk music in a small mixed band (Bärenreiter edition: "Combocom Irish"). Interesting style as First plays straightly the melody and Second contains diminutions which are sometimes fast and not really clarinet-friendly with sort of Alberti- basses etc. The same thing with pitches: for B- clarinet (in this edition) up to five sharp. So I take my A- clarinet and sometimes have to skip one or another note. I've begun learning clarinet in retirement only and was more accustomed to etudes and easier pieces in classic style (Mozart, Stamitz, Gade etc.) so this is an interesting exercise.
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Author: derf5585
Date: 2015-10-04 01:37
The comment about 3rd clarinet and the dreaded break
'In "Procession of the Nobles"
It goes like this
Bb (1/8 note) two Bb (1/16) then all 1/16 Bb C A C Bb C A C
fsbsde@yahoo.com
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Author: JonTheReeds
Date: 2015-10-04 10:49
The difference between 2nd and 3rd depends on the music arrangements chosen. I play 3rd in a few bands. In one band the 2nd and 3rd parts are often similar but the 3rd parts seems based around throat notes and the 2nds play in the clarion. Another, the 2nd parts are definitely harder, and the 3rd parts are more 'chuggy'.
Which chair you go for depends on your level, the complexity and arrangement of the music and the level of the other players. Why not ask the opinion of the musical director? They probably have a good idea of where you would be comfortable
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The older I get, the better I was
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