 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Richard
Date: 2001-10-05 23:12
Hi there,
This problem's going to sound really pathetic to all orchestral players , I know, but anyway.....The second clarinettist from a local symphony orchestra (Harrogate symphony orchestra - I think it's just an amateur community orchestra type thing) has just told the conductor she can't make the first month or so of rehearsals. The conductor, being my music teacher, has asked me to stand in for her for this lot of rehearsals.
I don't even know if I can do it, because 2 of the 3 pieces need an A clarinet and I don't have one - I'm desperately trying to get someone to lend me theirs before the first rehearsall next thursday.
But if I can do it.....help! I know it sounds small, but it's a big thing for me - I have no orchestral experience, don't know the pieces (although the music looks relatively easy) - Brahms 3rd Symphony, Dvorak's Cello concerto op.104 and 'The land of the mountain and the flood ' by Hamish MacCunn. And I'm playing on a 5 year old plastic clarinet, and I'm not going to sound anywhere near as good as the other clarinet. I'm 16 by the way and 'grade 8 standard'. But I'm really nervous about the whole thing - I'm bound to make a total fool of myself.
Can anyone please give me any advice - I really need it. Is there anything I need to know about playing in an orchestra? I want to impress the conductor (my music teacher) because nervous as i am I would really like him to ask me to do more of this kind of stuff or even join the orchestra, when I get better or a space comes up....
Thanks for listening to my nervy ramblings anyway,
Richard
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-10-05 23:34
Hi Richard,
Congratulations! Relax, your teacher wouldn't have asked you to stand in if s/he didn't think you were ready/able. You will do fine, amateur community orchestras are about enjoying music and, if they are like they are around here, you'll probably find some members who aren't at your level. Use the advantage to play some really great music and, if the first clarinetist is really good, use the advantage to learn. As far as actually playing the music is concerned, the only advice I would offer is: count long rests carefully, listen to everyone around you, count long rests carefully and, finally, did I mention, count long rests carefully.
Have fun.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kenabbott
Date: 2001-10-05 23:48
I once payed an opera with a bunch of NYC Opera players. Their being around me raised the level of my playing by several degrees, even if it scared me to death.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2001-10-06 00:48
Again, congratulations and welcome to the world of orchestral music. One bit of advice which might help aside from the obvious technical things (counting, dynamics, following the conductor, etc...) is to know the repertoire.
Get a recording of the pieces you are performing. The Brahms and Dvorak are easy to find. Listen to the pieces numerous times and follow along with your music. Notice the overall style, shape of the works and most importantly notice where the clarinets have prominent parts. Those are your places to shine!
Also, notice where blending in the woodwinds is important. Mark your music!!
Finally, when comfortable with the pieces, PLAY ALONG WITH THE RECORDING. That will give you a true "orchestral feel".
Don't be nervous, as you beginning an enriching experience. Take these new challenges and lessons to build on as you become a seasoned "pro."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Andrew Webster
Date: 2001-10-06 10:45
Hi there Richard . I am second clarinet in English National Opera and some tips that may help are these. A good second should be able to shadow the first player ,this means trying to get inside their sound never play louder than them and dont drop out of the sound to leave them stranded on high notes ( unless of course, you dont like them! ) Your best helpers in this instance are you ears , keep the radars out and you will give yourself the best chance. Intonation can be a bit of a hot potato but try if you can to be with the first again making sure the intervals between the clarinets are right before you worry about anything else, every section will have its own problems in this respect Octaves can de particularly difficult especially if you are around the left hand below the break and the 1st is on the right hand just above, as the clarinets tuning foibles tend to lean in opposing directions. AND if you feel something is wrong ask you 1st politely and without accusation ,works best for a good working relationship! Usually and comments directed at the clarinet section will be directed at the principal player and it is up to them to then sort anything that may be dubious. I would suggest looking before hand at all the music but especially the Dvorak 2nd movement, theres a potentialy hairy moment in 5 flats where both clarinets are in unison wtih a descending dotted rhythmn that if you are not exactly together can be very obvious, dont play it to strongly let the 1st do most of the work.This is followed by some more semiquaver arpegio figures all in unison and I would suggest the same things apply. BUT! the main thing is to enjoy it ,relax and listen to whats going on around you and just try to play with it tou are going to play some fab musi, the Brahms and Dvorak are the best and the McCunn is alot of fun with your Scotch Snaps all over the place. Let us know how you get on and I hope you have a great experience
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DLE
Date: 2001-10-06 17:48
Richard,
Some great advice above, which I will echo. Listen, follow the conductor, shadow the 1st clarinet, but most importantly, COUNT BARS RESTS! I know it may sound silly, but after having been in 2 Symphony Orchestras in my quite limited time, I found this to be the biggest problem.
You appear to be from Harrogate in UK.... I'm at Lancaster Uni at the moment.
Word of warning: On this BBoard, a good majority of occupants are form the U.S.A, so explaining that you are at 'Grade 8 Standard' may confuzzle them a little. Try to refrain from using general U.K terms, as it has caused me problems in understanding on this Board in the past.
Congratulations, and good luck.
Dave.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-10-07 03:17
About to say, I thought that all of us over here in the US used a Grade 6 or something like that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2001-10-07 05:19
Richard,
Let's see from above, blend, be perfect in your intonation of your intervals with the first player, don't accuse him/her, support him/her, listen to everyone, learn, blend, don't be nervous, and count rests. Now you need to quickly transpose the 5 flats to 7 flats.... hmm. It is amazing how "confuzzled" you can get when you are worrying about too much at once.
I suggest you relax, try to get an A clarinet and play it a bit first, else sit down and jot down a transposition. If I am a little unsure I need things as simple as possible to avoid screw-ups. So if my A clarinet is not available and I have to transpose I will sit down the night before the rehersal and take about 30 min. to write out the transposition so I can read it straight on the Bb.
Then imagine you are playing a duet in your home with your teacher or other friend. Listen to the first player and have a blast. You will do great. If you mess up don't make excuses, just try again and all your new friends there will respect you... There's nothing to worry about, they're not going to withold your check or fire you. All those folks will remember when they were in your shoes. Remember you are doing <b>THEM</B> a favor, in the end you will come away with a new experience and more conidence.
The best to you, Terry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark
Date: 2001-10-09 17:57
Ok Richard, everyone else has said just relax, and I echo that!
I was in your position a long time ago when I was asked to play bass clarinet in a concert in Coventry cathedral.
We played the Richard Strauss four last songs - great bass clarinet parts.
Unfortunately, I knocked over my stand in a quiet bit! Heads turned...
So my advice is to be aware of your music stand - give yourself room! Secondly, you would do well to get / borrow a double clarinet stand to rest the instruments on when not playing. And get an A instrument. You have enough to cope with apart from transposing.
Finally, remember - you can do it!
Mark
Cambridge UK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
