 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-10-08 15:43
I am a complete clarinet addict, but I have no time to actually pick up my clarinet and do some independent practice.I have four AP classes, marcching band six days a week after school (for 3 hrs on weekdays, 4hrs on fridays for home games, and all day saturday for competitions) It's academic, math honor society and national honor society. I am seriously overbooked, but I refuse to cut any of them. My question is do any of you know of something I could do when I have a spare minute to improve my clarinet playing...without actually playing my clarinet or using it at all? I have a theory book and I do some of that when I can't play my clarinet, but it isn't enough. I just need something to do that doesn't make too much noise, and I could do without too much preparation. Thanks!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-10-08 16:03
It is helpful to your playing to study the clarinet part AND scores for the clarinet masterpieces. Some things to look for are phrasing, harmonization, relative dominance of the various parts throughout the piece and more mundane things line what would be the appropriate fingerings where alternates are available especially for the altissimo notes.
With that much marching band, I hope you are getting credit for both music and physical education so you don't have to take a separate physical education class. If you are not, this is something that should be brought up to the PTA and the school board. However, the band parents should really be the ones to address it if it is needed.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-10-08 16:56
Laura,
I agree, you are seriously overbooked. Nineteen to 24hr a week for band on top of heavy duty academics? Something sounds waaay out of balance. You don't need more practice time, you don't have any, you need help to get your 'addiction' back to manageable.
- ron b -
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-10-08 17:20
Laura's schedule isn't that unheard of for high school students. I'm in the same boat with 2 AP courses, concert band everyday, plus the same marching band schedule, and a community band that's very busy this time of the year. There are several who have it worse than me - with jazz band or an orchestra on top, or more AP classes (we're offered 4 senior year).
Physical Education is mandatory for all students where we are. There is no way to opt out.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-10-08 17:38
jenna wrote:
>
> Physical Education is mandatory for all students where we are.
> There is no way to opt out.
That is why I said that the parents should be enlisted in a project to go to the school board. That much marching practice is far more physical education than any of the non-band and non-athletics members get. And I bet that people on the football team, basketball team, etc don't have to take PE during their sport's season.
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2001-10-08 19:13
I can relate to all of you... I practice during lunch time (then grab a quick bite to eat on my way to 5th period), during study hour (though I don't know if your school has that), and when I'm supposed to be sleeping... though I wouldn't reccomend that one to you
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-10-08 21:11
Nope, not even the athletes can get out of gym. Sometimes you may see a wrestler not working out during a gym period with his class.. because he has some type of workout schedule that gym would interfere with, but overall everyone is expected to have a PE class every year. I'd love to get out of having gym, but I don't think our school is likely to get rid of it anytime soon. I think it may actually be a state thing.. high school students must complete for full years in PE.
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Author: jeff
Date: 2001-10-09 02:47
hello
This is really simple advice. Just listen to recordings in your shuttling to and from activities. I truely believe that i have learned as much about playing the clarinet from listening as i have from actually playing. Get recordings of clarinetist and other quality musicians and hear what they do. It has helped me tremendously. Remember also that you can also learn from listening to clarinetist that are not so good. Good luck with the ap courses.
jeff
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Author: Jim
Date: 2001-10-09 04:04
In NJ Phys Ed is required by state law grades 1 - 12, exceptions for disability only.
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Author: Jim Lee
Date: 2001-10-09 11:40
The PE requirement might has something to do with keeping coaches employed!
Maybe not?
Jim
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Author: jmcaulay
Date: 2001-10-09 14:56
If marching band meets after school only, then it's extracurricular, same as athletics programs or any other activity that does not have a real class. And no extracurricular activity can take the place of a required course. But in many schools marching band is a regular period class, and students get credit for it *as a PE class*. After all, it is an organized physical activity. If your school/district/state B of E does not permit such, then it would appear that some administrators, somewhere, have their heads firmly implanted in the sand. Unfortunately that does occasionally happen, you may have noticed.
Regards,
John
retired educator, among other stuff
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-10-10 01:19
Examples of things you can practice without the instrument:
* Rhythms that you are currently having trouble with
* Good breathing habits
* Good breathing spots in the music
* Checking for chord/scale patterns in the music (especially useful in those fast arpeggios)
* Phrase shapes
* Embouchure
Too many of us are also believe that good practicing requires a lot of time, or that we have to do it all in one session. We also often feel overwhelmed because of how much material we think we have to practice. The solution? Focus on only one thing at a time, for a few minutes each day until you master the concept. A difficult rhythm, however, often can be sorted in less than 15 minutes, checking a difficult passage for patterns can be sorted in that amount of time.
But, such strategies will help you--to a point. You still need to pick up the instrument and practice. And you need to find time to do it--figure out what's important to you.
Meri
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-10-10 01:36
Hey, your schedule sounds like mine, except I have JROTC Drill thrown in with all of that. 7 REAL Classes, all of which are above standard, and something after school nonstop. I average 65 hours a week at school, 80 on competition weeks.
Phys. Ed. Is a one-year only class credit here in Nashville, same way everyone here is required to take one credit of fine arts, at least.
Anyways, divide it slowly and play to your strengths with marching band. What do you get the most out of when you play and march? Don't focus on that al all when you practice on your own.
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Author: Julia Meyer
Date: 2001-10-10 03:18
you can work on breath support, tonguing, embrouchure, tons of other stuff like that just walking from one class to another. THat's what I used to do. Listening to recordings, like someone else said, is KEY.
Just work it in.
Julia
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-10-12 02:08
Thanks guys - the marching band is mandatory and after school, because I am in the top band. In Virginia you are required to take two years of PE, and I didn't get out of that when I was a sophomore and freshman. I actually have started to play during lunch, and it helps a lot. the only drawback is that I usually only get to eat at 6 in the morning and 6 at night, but that is my decision. the only real reason that I needed to practice that much is my new private teacher Robert Little. I hate coming to lesons unprepared. that aside, only the 4 AP classes make a true impact on my schedule, and it should die down after VBODA (the state competition) then I could actually do everything and I will be fine. The addiction has admittedly intensified this year, but I refuse to tone it down. I have been seriously considering double majoring in Music and something else...the only problem is whether I would have enough time. Oh, and how would you work on breath support while you were walking? I have always had to lie on my back and pile on books, or do tone excercises or something. I am interested to know how you do it just walking.
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