 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-04-23 12:02
Last week I went to listen to a masterclass given by Gervase de Peyer with college students here in Manchester.
He was very interesting and managed a good blend of addressing the audience as well as the performer, and of discussing musical points and the techniques required to get them across.
I was reminded of the last class I attended, in which a very famous Belgian clarinettist managed to avoid both of these balances. He treated it like a private lesson, speaking quietly to the student and ignoring the audience, and, despite being renowned for his teaching of contemporary techniques, concentrated on solely musical points. I was hoping to pick up some new ideas and was not particularly interested in his ideas about Schumann, or whatever.
The person I most enjoyed playing to in this situation, when I was a student, was Alan Hacker, who's deep knowledge of techniques and musical style is expressed thoughtfully and clearly. He was also prepared to help me develop MY style rather than impose his own ideas, a rare quality, in my experience.
Any thoughts on this rather trying situation, for both teacher & student? Who would you recommend to see, or avoid?
jez
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-04-23 12:42
I enjoyed a masterclass I once attended with Colin Bradbury (formerly BBCSO) particularly because of his interesting guidance on developing the breathing side of playing. Some people will know, he has interesting practice techniques for this.
I have also attended a class given by de Peyer, and the only thing I remember about it is negative, in that one of the players played her piece under tempo, and the only thing the great man could say was that it was too slow. Now, it was very obvious she was going as fast as she could, and that his comment was futile, but he gave up trying to make the best of her situation.
I saw Hacker on a TV masterclass tutoring a range of woodwind players and I thought it was impressive as well.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2002-04-24 02:09
I just attended a masterclass on Sunday given by Dan Gilbert (2nd, Cleveland Orchestra) at Ohio University that was absolutely fabulous. He had a wonderful way of working with the students (many fine players that study with Rebecca Rischin), was always very respectful towards them while giving very concise solutions/exercises to improve their playing. His ideas about phrasing, musicality, and even his approach to the various technical issues of the clarinet make a lot of sense to me.
I've been to many masterclasses over the years and this one really stood out, as it's so rare to find such a great player that is not only a gifted teacher but is also a really nice person. All of these things were apparent in the masterclass. Those that have had the opportunity to study with him / attend his masterclasses are very lucky.
Kimberly Boardman
Principal Clarinet, South Bend Symphony
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-04-24 02:14
Well, Jez, as your a fine clarinetist and member of an very fine British orchestra, have you thought about giving a masterclass yourself? There is a lot of helpful tips and tricks one can impart regarding orchestral playing. Knowing the "orchestral excerpts" books is ok to a point.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-04-25 13:19
diz,
I love giving classes. I tend to favour treating them as an event for the sake of the audience, rather than the person playing, so I'll pick on a problem they appear to have and discuss, with everyone, my ideas about solving it, using the student as a guinea-pig.
If you'd care to send me a ticket to Oz, put me up for a few days and keep me in beer, (or whatever you call that stuff you have over there) I'd be more than happy to oblige.
regards
jez
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-04-25 15:48
jez -
Foster's is decent beer and comes in LARGE (dare I say Australian size) cans. Presumably there are decent local beers down under, too, though it must be strange pouring up and having the head at the bottom of the glass ;^)
As for American beers, the commercial ones have mostly taste like they've been through a horse's kidneys first. However, I've found some very decent craft-brewery beers if you ever come through New York.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-04-25 19:33
XXXX Forever!
Resch - More Bounce to the Ounce (tm)
Mark C, who still has his black swan t-shirt from the WA 150th anniversary (Perth & Bunbury visits that year). But can't fit in it anymore ...
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