 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-03-18 04:16
I joined a community band in January, playing EEb contra alto. I was their first contra and, naturally, seating for the band was pretty much set when I got there. For the first few practices, I sat next to the bass clarinet, but that moved the trumpets up a row, which they didn't like. Now I am sitting between the second clarinets and the tenor saxes, on the second row (because that was the available space when I got to practice one night). It doesn't feel right. I play a combination of bassoon, bari sax, alto clarinet and a couple of true contra alto parts. Here is our current seating arrangement (from the conductor's point of view):
First row: Flutes
Second row: First and second clarinets (left); Saxophones (right)
Third row: Third and bass clarinets (l); trumpets (center-l); French horns (center-r); Trombones (r)
Fourth row: Baritone horn and Tubas (r)
Fifth row: Percussion
Where do I belong?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-18 04:20
Look - every band has its own setup - you music director should probably place you near the bassoons, barisaxes - or, better still, next to the bass clarinetl.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-18 04:21
Also - aren't they just the BEST clarinets!! - such a deep, luscious sound.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-03-18 05:29
"Where do I belong"?
You sit where the Conductor asks you to sit
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-03-18 15:18
In one of the wind ensembles I play (contra-alto) in, I sit 2nd row center, behind the flutes, between the bass clarinet (on my left) and the 2nd clarinets (on my right). Don't know if this is typical or not. It's a good spot because I also play alto clarinet on some of the tunes, so it's helpful to be right next to the soprano clarinets. And as for being able to hear my nemeses (the low brass) when I'm playing the big horn ---- never a problem!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-03-18 18:27
I like to sit front and center when I play contra. After all, I'm the foundation for the ensemble, not to mention the STAR. Besides, I play louder than the rest of those wimps put together!
***** I AM CONTRA ***** HEAR ME ROAR ***** BEWARE FALLING PLASTER *****
Unfortunately, most of the time, the director makes me sit next to the tubas.
Yuukk.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-03-18 21:46
Ken,
I feel your pride (for playing contra) and your pain (for having to sit anywhere within two city blocks of the tubas who, as you well know, have certain intonation and dynamics "issues"). If I may restate your position, using the motto of the "Riverdale (Md.) School of Low Clarinet Playing" (RSLCP), of which I am the co-founder and currently Virginia chapter president:
****** EVERY NOTE'S A SOLO! **********
This fundamental principle, although frequently vexing to conductors, has carried me through many a boring rehearsal full of whole notes and other typical bass and contra clarinet parts which seem to always be doubled by the tubas, euphoniums (euphonia?), trombones, bassoons, etc. By truly believing that every note we play is indeed a GEM, vital to the very fabric of the group and the music, we can maintain our sanity despite the exceedingly low esteem in which our low clarinets are held by composers, conductors, and most musicians (note that I wrote "most musicians" as opposed to "most other musicians" --- a subtle but lethal jab, don't you agree?).
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Author: willie
Date: 2002-03-18 23:42
I usually sit between the bass clarinets and the bari sax which is to our conductor's left. He has the low brass on the opposite side to his right. He settled on this after some experimenting as he likes the ballence of the low voices in this manner. Enjoy those booming low notes!
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-03-19 01:48
I've sat in three different locations:
1) b/w French Horns and Bass Clarinet (Which I enjoyed the Best)
2) Far side of Bassoons (I was on the end of the Low WW Row)
3) b/w Tubas and Bass Clarinet (For Small Enbsembles)
What do you mean, "tubas who, as you well know, have certain intonation and dynamics "issues")." That's a fallacy! I have no intonation issues OR dynamic issues on tuba!! (RIGHT!!!! Lol. Sorry, I'm a doubler.)
As for the EVERY NOTE principle... I have an interesting experience to share. I was one of the two Contra-alto players for Mid-State, lower chair. For one song we did we had two parts, One for Eb Bari Sax, one for Bb Contra. Since I could transpose better than she could and the bari was more technically difficult, she took that part, and I had to transpose.
The director started the song, I played the part... and realized the beginning was one long bassoon and contra solo. Since the bassoons were having trouble getting their reeds straight or whatever bassoons do, I was the only one playing. in the entire band.
Ever since, I've remembered that principle. The bassoons finally got it right by the time the concert came around, but I still got to play an octave lower than the where I could! I really WAS the star!! (At least, to me I was...)
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-03-19 03:55
Thanks one and all. You've done wonders for my self-esteem as a novice low woodwind. And with the size of the contrary beast, I'll just sit where I want...as long as it's where the conductor wants me.
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