 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chuck Kelly
Date: 1999-06-28 22:58
Sat in with a 63 member "POPS" orchestra in the 3rd clarinet row during a practice session. I'm in my 7th month of lesson's, age 64, NO previous exposure, ie: HS band etc. Although I tried to "READ", I was totally unfamiliar with the arrangements, was usually lost by the 2nd measure, was way off on the count during 8 bar rests etc. I did not attempt to play, just observe. I got what I expected, no surprises. My question(s)??/statements. How does a person get into a group/band/community music situation to learn the environment of the real music world, since playing duets with the insrtuctor is as close as I've gotten with the exception of the sit-in. And am I trying this too early?? I can't think of any other way than "TO DO". Would appreciate comments of any kind. I DID enjoy the sit-in, in spite of being totally lost.
My thanx for any comments. Tomorrow I face my instructor with just about the same statements and questions.
Chuck
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Author: Dave Goss
Date: 1999-06-28 23:26
He should be able to suggest a good ensemble for you. I found out about a community band from someone I played with in school. That became the first outside group I played with I'm now entering my eighth year playing with them. Since then I've played with several other groups by using similar means.
I'm sure there are a dozen ensembles on your area all with different abilities. One of them should fit your ability. Good luck and keep up the playing!
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-06-29 00:34
As Dave said, every group has it's own level. From here, of course, I cannot tell if this group is playing at your corresponding level or not. What I would like to say is that playing in a large group will be confusing for a while since you've never done it before. That can be true even with very simple music. Playing in a large group is a skill too and requires practice. I'ld suggest hanging in there unless the music itself is way over your head. If you can play it at home alone, you are ready to tackle playing in the group.
Even if this group is too advanced for you, don't give up. Try another group until you have developed and then return.
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Author: William Fuller
Date: 1999-06-29 12:35
In my home town, Madison, Wi., our local music store sponsers a group called New Horizons for seniors--such as yourself==who are essentially beginners or who are returning to playing their instrument after many years "off". I understand that N.H. is a national incentive--perhaps your local music store would have info. Our band has about 75 members of varing abilities, but all seem to have a blast. Good luck.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 1999-06-29 13:49
If you haven't had any exposure to playing with a conductor, perhaps your instructor could teach you about the basic conducting patterns and have you play along with his conducting. You could also watch ensemble performances live or on TV and try to count along in your head while watching the conductor.
One advantage of beginning school bands and orchestras is that the instructor also teaches students how to follow his/her conducting. I was fortunate in that when I was in fourth through sixth grade we had (vocal) music programs that we watched in class. The TV instructor would diagram and demonstrate the basic conducting patterns (2/4, 3/4 and 4/4) and have us conduct along with her.
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Author: John
Date: 1999-06-29 17:08
Chuck -- your posting took me back to the first time I sat in with a good symphonic band over forty years ago. Just like you, I was lost musically, but loved the sound the group made. It was a different world from the high school band. I hung in there, and before long I was doing fine with the music.
I second everything Dee said in her post above. If you enjoy the group, hang in there. Since you are sitting in the third clarinet row, the success of the performance is not dependent on your hitting every note. It's OK to lay out (rest) when you should be playing. Just don't play when the part calls for you to rest! Fake it till you make it. Good luck.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-06-29 18:26
Chuck Kelly wrote:
-------------------------------
Sat in with a 63 member "POPS" orchestra in the 3rd clarinet row during a practice session. I'm in my 7th month of lesson's, age 64, NO previous exposure, ie: HS band etc. Although I tried to "READ", I was totally unfamiliar with the arrangements, was usually lost by the 2nd measure, was way off on the count during 8 bar rests etc. . . . Am I trying this too early?? I can't think of any other way than "TO DO".
Chuck -
You're doing it just right. After a while, things will "click" and you'll be on your way.
I started clarinet in the 7th grade and went through exactly the same process. When I got to 8th grade, I was put in the 3rd clarinet section of the band and was completely helpless. I couldn't play more than a couple of measures without getting lost, and the only way I could get back in to jump down a line, memorize the next phrase and wait for it to come along.
The problem was that it took too long to recognize each note on the staff, remember its name and remember and play the associated fingering.
About 6 weeks into the semester, I finally made a single-step association between the G on the top of the staff and the "feel" of having my left-hand fingers down and the register key open. I remember saying to myself "I'll never have to do all that translation again -- whenever I see a note on top of the staff, I'll be able to go to that finger position directly."
I then realized that the top line F was the same as the G, except with my right index finger down, and within a few minutes, I got that one "internalized" too.
Over the next few days, I connected the rest of the notes on the staff with their fingerings.
Since I could then play any note immediately, I quickly moved into the 2nd clarinet section. However, I still couldn't do the fast stuff.
About a month later, I realized that when I went from G on top of the staff to top-line F, I didn't have to "access" the fingering for F, but only put down my right index finger. When I saw a descending scale from G to C, I recognized that I could look at the group of notes and put my right-hand fingers down one at a time. That is, I could see a "shape" and make the matching series of finger movements without having to actually read the notes.
What I did was go from reading the notes to reading the spaces between the notes -- not "how do I play this note and then play the next" but "how do I play this note and then move to the next."
This is what practicing scales does for you. You learn each scale, not as a series of notes, but as a series of finger movements. As these sequences -- these "gestures" --become familiar, you start to recognize them in the music you play. When you see a scale passage, you don't have to read it. You just recognize the shape and start the familiar sequence of finger movements and let it run automatically. This gives you time to look ahead to recognize the next familiar shape, or figure out anything unfamiliar.
This got me into the 1st clarinet section, and I was on my way.
That first moment was a high point for me. Years later, I still remember where I was sitting when the realization struck, and who was next to me (Carol Romick on my left, Gabrielle Wolensky on my right), how the room looked, how bright the lights were, and how I stopped to think about it, going over it again and again so I couldn't possibly forget it.
This will happen for you, too. Having a good teacher, practicing and being prepared for insights when they come along will all help. Keep us up to date on your progress.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-06-29 20:20
What an interesting group of experiences, I can relate to each re: difficulty of the music, figuring out the conductor [and maybe "training" him/her as how best to communicate and direct in case he/she knows choral and NOT orch/band conducting!!!]. I have pursued groups in which to play for many years, so note-fingering relations are nearly reflex actions any more whether Bb, alto or bass horns. My cl-playing grandson is to be with us for a week or so, and I've got him interested in sitting by me in a couple of comm band gigs for his [and my] education! Will report what we learn. Don
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