 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: stringguy
Date: 2017-05-28 21:14
I played clarinet in high school, quite some time ago. Once I was in college I stopped playing clarinet and switched to strings (violin and classical guitar). Now, many years later, I'm considering taking up clarinet again, in addition to violin. (Clarinet for orchestra, and violin for chamber music.) Does anyone have experience with doing this.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-05-28 22:12
Do you have a specific question about it? I've had any number of students who played both clarinet and an orchestral string instrument. There's no conflict if you have the time to pursue both. With violin there's no clef difference.
I think it's a great idea.
Karl
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2017-05-28 23:44
Just be aware there is vast competition for clarinet places in virtually every standard of orchestra from top to bottom.
Competent violinists are welcome virtually in any orchestra.
Just a factor to think about for realistic prospects of playing opportunities.
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Author: stringguy
Date: 2017-05-29 00:00
Now I see that there's a "doubling" forum on this site; perhaps I should've posted there. But since my topic is here, I'll just plow ahead. First, I'm not thinking professional level, just community orchestra level. I can only play violin so long each day before certain muscles and joints begin to complain. But clarinet uses, to a large extent different body parts, which is the reason for maybe adding clarinet back into my schedule. (If I could play violin 4 hours/day without pain, I probably would.) But I think two hours of violin and one hour of clarinet is possible. I worry about my right thumb, which had a callous when I played clarinet. For violin the right thumb needs to be soft and flexible. There is one area of possible conflict. I wonder if there are others.
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Author: Josje
Date: 2017-05-29 00:10
for the callus problem you could use a Ton Kooiman thumbrest (or maybe there are similar things from other brands). Don't know if they are available where you live, but it looks like this: https://www.matthewsmuziek.nl/en/ton-kooiman-thumb-rest-clarinet-oboe-etude-3.html, you could always order online.
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2017-05-29 00:36
I played both violin and clarinet during middle school/high school. Stopped taking violin lessons a year before my college auditions to focus on clarinet, but I've occasionally picked it up again. Recently I played on one of my friends' compositions for string orchestra.
I think the two complement each other very well. You can learn things about phrasing and ear-training from either instrument and apply it to the other.
My father has a friend who majored in clarinet performance at NEC, then learned the viola, got a graduate degree in viola performance at Eastman and won an orchestra job. So they're definitely not mutually exclusive.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2017-05-29 03:13
I'm a string/woodwind doubler! I play and teach violin/viola and clarinet. I have a ton of fun with my advanced students because I can jump in on practically any part when I teach them the Brahms, Mozart, and Weber quintets. There was even one senior recital where folks where saying to my clarinet student, "it's a shame your clarinet teacher wasn't here for your quintet performance, it was wonderful." And she had to follow with, "but he's right here, playing the first violin part!" :P
The callus on your right thumb will not affect your bowing, provided you don't exert any excessive pressure on the frog of the bow, and aren't trying to bend it 90-degrees.
The experience has been extraordinarily helpful for me, as I've gotten to be everywhere in the orchestra, from the front row of strings to the back row of the woodwinds, and certainly there is a lot more chamber music to play when you cover more than one instrumental family.
Best wishes to you on your musical journey!
Post Edited (2017-05-29 03:15)
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-05-29 04:22
Can I suggest if u are getting violin pain there is something wrong with your technique. If u take a photo of you playing, or a YouTube link, I can give some feedback if u like..
I often am sent students who are having pain, in order to fix then
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Author: stringguy
Date: 2017-05-29 05:07
Thanks to those who have replied. It's good to know that there are clarinet/violin doublers. The thumb callous was mentioned not because the callous itself was a problem, but rather because the callous was a sign of a stress point at the thumb. Sarah C: I don't do a lot of high-tech video. I have a teacher (violin), yet I think that 4 hours a day on violin for a person of a certain age like me is asking a lot of an aging body. Two hours seems manageable at this point.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2017-05-30 04:40
I'm a wind/string doubler as well (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, sax, violin, viola and cello). I've played all of these with various orchestras and chamber groups of various levels of performance.
I've never had any issues of playing these, sometimes in the same gig. I've done weddings doubling flute and violin, and trios doubling clarinet and violin and teaching all of my various students all back to back.
The parts that hold the bow are very different from the parts that hold the clarinet. You shouldn't have a problem holding it. It seems that any tension you have could be caused from technique. I would suggest having your teacher really look into the issues with your pain. If they don't try to dig into your technique issues, find a teacher that will! I will say it's often because you are holding a lot of tension in your fingers, and you don't need much at all. You only need enough to press down the strings to the fingerboard. Your right hand should be totally relaxed and flexible!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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