 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Won Kim
Date: 2002-09-13 02:40
I was playing Brahms quintet with my group, I gave an A for tunning and our violinist asked me "are you sure it's an A?" I'm really frustrated thesedays because I think my embouchure screwed up. I did the warm-up regularly and tried to practice 1.5-2 hrs a day. But I get tired very soon and my good reads feel too soft and I can't play!! I SERIOUSLY WANNA CRY or the state should eliminate the mandatory marching band participation thing!!
I H A T E M A R C H I N G.....
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-09-13 02:55
So Quit marching. What are they going to do to you? If they want to kick you out of concert band too, who cares? It's their loss. You can make it up with another ensemble somewhere else.
If you are serious about clarinet playing and not planning to be a music education major in college, you don't need marching band. You should only do it if it's fun.
On a lighter note, are you playing a concert A for tuning or an A on your clarinet? (assuming you have an A clarinet for the Brahms, you should of course be playing a C).
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-09-13 04:41
Our school boots you out if you can't march for any reason. Swallow hard and stick with it. Marching season only lasts for 2-3 months depending on how good or crappy the football team is.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-09-13 04:56
HAT - you're so right about marching bands - there seems to be two schools of thought: you either loved the experience or hated. I'm afraid to say I actually enjoyed my marching band days - but then, I had the Effer so I always got the twiddly bits and the tunes - 'twas fun - they were "Halcyon Days" (for me at least) *sighs in a dreamy manner*
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Author: Todd
Date: 2002-09-13 05:34
I played in marching band, the symphonic band, orchestra, and went to solo ensemble contest all at the same time. My marching band director told me not to ruin my embouchure by trying to blast and overplay. He said his orders for the band to play louder than loud did not apply to me. I treated my playing in marching band like I was playing with any indoor large ensemble, always striving for a good tone and never sacrificing my embouchure. Besides, who can hear the clarinets outside anyway? I doubt your marching band director will single you out and tell you to play louder. Just stay in step, stay in line, get to your marks on time, and always play with good tone and good embouchure.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-09-13 06:07
For those who give tuning notes, a Korg CA-30 tuner is only about $20. It can eliminate any discussion about the accuracy of your A. Some string players hate tuners but almost all oboists use some kind of tuner as the orchestra or any other group deserves an accurate A440 at the start of rehearsal or as requested.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-09-13 12:52
I cringe everytime PBS pledge week starts...
If I never see the promo for BLAST! again, it will be too soon.
Marching music inspires marching, in the opposite direction.
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Author: Tim
Date: 2002-09-13 14:38
I disagree with forcing marching band on students in order to let them play in concert band. I'm also not a big fan of marching band music. However, I think that it's a personal decision that everyone has to make. Many people enjoy it very much. If you feel that it's hurting you musically, then you should probably consider dropping it. I'm sure there are plenty of other opportunities around to fill your time.
On another note. I marched in Drum Corps (baritone horn). The musicians who participate in this activity are all very talented and the muic they produce is top notch. Also, I saw BLAST and thought that it was a great show. Did you see BLAST, or are you just bad-mouthing it because you have something against Drum Corps? Or, are you equating Drum Corps with marching band which are two entirely different things?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-09-13 16:41
OK. Before we start yet another thread on marching band, I ask everyone to please read every article on this BBoard that contains the words "marching band" in it. If, after reading each and every word, you feel that you have something new to contribute - have at it. Post away.
If it's been covered - then let's not re-open the thread.
Repeating posts about ligatures, mouthpieces, and reeds tend to come along often, but the threads are relatively short.
Marching band posts come in waves, the threads go on ad nauseum, and hackles are raised on both sides of the argument too easily.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-09-14 15:10
Thanks, Mark. I agree. I will add however that I would prefer that Won restrain his displeasure and gripes about marching bad on the forum. I think he has made his point writing more than one post about his displeasure. (Not that my "opinion" counts.)
jbutler
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Author: Just me
Date: 2002-09-15 02:53
Are you using an "A" clarintet? Are you tuning to concert A, your written C, not a B like on the Bb clarinet. Are you aware that the "A" clarinet has more resistance due to the smaller bore and larger size. You may be doing something wrong with your embouchure, throat, breathing. Your "A" barrel may be the wrong size or bore, your "A" clarinet may just be out of tune or in need of adjusment. It may be leaking causing you to tire to soon because you're working too hard. Do you have a good teacher that knows about all these things? Don't be so quick to blame it on marching band. Woodwind doubles play all kinds of horns and can still pick a clarinet an play it in tune, if their good. Talk to a pro. Just me
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Author: john
Date: 2002-09-15 17:12
i was in marching band at sac state for two years. The first year i was playing clarinet (which is the instrument that i am majoring in) and i really felt the same way. I felt my embouchure was messed up and my tone was turning bad, but i did enjoy marching to a certain degree. What i did was switch insturment the next year so i could avoid all those problems. If you have to do marching again, try to learn another instrument (like the trombone) so you don't have to worry about messing up your clarinet chops, It worked for me, and playing trombone actually helped me to listen for better pitch and didn't mess up my clarinet playing at all. Try it.....
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Author: James
Date: 2002-09-17 04:59
Judging by my schools ability to be music I would say the only that would make marching band interesting would be if there were monkey's marching instead of people. Marching is not about your sound. Any accomplished orchestra musician whom I have talked to about marching band say it's bad for you. You get weird problems, your tone goes to hell, your scale is uneven. Your emboucher gets messed up becuase you are playing and moving at the same time. For me.. Instead of having my playing destroyed by marching. I just walk along and pretend to play. Like someone else said, it's not like they can hear the clarinet anyhow in the stands. Just as long as you can march you are fine.
PS. Ear plugs are a good idea when doing show music in the music room.
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Author: Malaya
Date: 2002-09-18 22:17
play in moderation... don't blast if there is no need to. my chops tend to return after marching season is over, and i have 2 band classes per day, plus 2-3 practices per week and a game on fridays. (practices are 3 hrs. each) knowing the instrument, no one will be able to tell if you're blaring notes in your show or not. play them at a moderate forte or fortissimo, and your audio contribution should be sufficient.
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