 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-09-04 04:42
First off, I do not want this to be a debate about marching band. But, in my band we have a major problem: 10 spots for 17 clarinets. I was concert mistress concert season last year but marching band is by seniority, so I am third chair and have no say in anything. I can play my part, but stick out like a sore thumb because I am dedicated and want to try really hard. So, I am considering marching brass and doing clarinet for concert season. I would keep up private lessons on clarinet, as well as orchestra, but marching band takes up a ton of my time. If I were in fact to switch to a brass instrument, how much would it hurt my clarinet playing? Is it possible to continue to improve on clarinet while learning and performing on a completely different instrument?
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-09-04 06:13
I doubled brass and reeds for many years, specifically cornet, trumpet and tenor sax. I actually started on Baritone/ Euphonium at age 10 and learned some clarinet and flute at about the same time. I gave up all brass playing many years ago as I found that clarinet and sax interferred with my embouchure on trumpet; specifically I was having trouble getting a decent buzz with the top lip. I found cornet with a deeper mouthpiece was less of a problem but decided to stick to woodwind. I know some doublers who mix and match with specific horns ie. bass sax and tuba/trombone and get reasonable results.
It didn't work for me over time but that is not to say that it wont work for you.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-04 15:07
I agree with "all of the above" that playing a brass instrument will NOT damage your clarinet emboucure. In fact, it tends to strengthen it as it excercises your muscles in different ways, much the same as training for a sports activity. The only way playing another instrument can interfer with your "main" instrument is if starts taking too much practice time away. As long as you practice your clarinet "first", playing any secondary instrument will not harm your progress.
The following is provided only to add personal validity to what I just worte above--no personal promo nor "bragging" is intended. In high school, I took private clarinet lessons once a week, was our bands first chair clarinet for three years, played in three adult concert bands while also playing solo "screech" bugle in our State Champion" drum and bugle corps. I went on to be a clarinet major (french horn minor) in college where I became principal clarinet in our concert band, gave two solo recitals--one broadcast "live" over our states educational radio and TV network--and sometimes played trumpet in our varsity pep band. During my 34 yr teaching career, although clarinet and saxophone remained my "professional" instruments, I used mostly the trumpet for my "demo" instrument (no reed to wet, always ready to go) to help teach challeging band parts and once played second trumpet for a local musical production. I have always been noted for my clarinet sound and technique, but can still play consistantly from low F# to high C on my trumpet and continue to use it for demo's when I do occassional substitue teaching jobs.
Bottom line: I have always practiced clarinet with strict regularity while keeping my trumpet playing secondary and recreational. Therefore, playing the trumpet was never a problem to my embouchre or my "technique", only an advantage.
BTW, the last time I saw the great Benny Carter in a live performance, he played magnificet alto sax solos--but appeared later in the "all-star jam" playing quite remarkable jazz trumpet.
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-09-04 17:19
Hi,
A subject that is dear to my heart!
As a former HS band director, I always encouraged woodwind players to play a brass instrument during the marching band season. In fact, after several years, we used all brass for the marching band and everyone (students, parents, community, etc.) got pretty excited with the Big Brass Band from Tigerland (city and state deleted). As it turned out, the trombone was a very popular instrument and the section even observed National Trombone Week each fall. Trombome players are an interesting species.
Looking back, it surprising how resourceful students and parents were when it came to finding an extra trumpet or trombone in a family closet somewhere. We always were able to keep things balanced with the purchase of marching melophones, baritones, and a sousaphone here and there. Everyone had a blast!
No one had any problem with embouchures and the like and always got their superior ratings by the time sole & ensemble contest rolled around. I always believed that once you could read music, all the rest came pretty easy (even a switch to bass clef).
Hank
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Author: Douglas
Date: 2002-09-04 20:50
All of the above comments are valid, but there is a hidden question in your original posting. You seem unhappy because you, as a clarinetist have no "say in anything" and the section is by "seniority". If you take up brass playing for marching, won't that make the problem even worse? You would be the new player and certainly would not have any more say in anything concerning the band and you won't have any more seniority either. I am at a loss to see how this would solve your problem except that you could just get out of the clarinet section and perhaps make new friends (or enemies) in the brass section.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-09-05 23:05
Gee, thanks Hank. I must be part of an interesting species. When I was in high school, I played the bone for marching and jazz band and clarinet and bass clarinet in concert band with no ill effects either way. I would not totally neglect your clarinet if you do add a brass instrument but it shouldn't hurt you.
Bones always get the respect of those who march in the row in front of them. ;-)
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Author: mike
Date: 2002-09-05 23:54
William: just curious, how long ago did you see Benny Carter? I thought he gave up the trumpet quite some number of years ago. I saw him five years ago at the Hollywood Bowl, when he played some alto at his big 90th birthday bash. He certainly gave Phil Woods a run for his money on "Misty" that day.
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Author: tww
Date: 2002-09-06 00:07
I know a clarinetist who said that when he used to play a lot of trumpet, it turned his clarinet chops to iron, and he could play clarinet all day without wearing out. He said that maintaining trumpet chops would really increase clarinet embouchure endurance. I've considered learning trumpet solely for that reason!
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The Clarinet Pages
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As long as you don't neglect your clarinet studies you won't lose anything there. And, you also may gain a greater appreciation for brass players. They ain't all that bad