 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-10-19 05:22
Two questions in one post.
1) Should I really worry about doubling? I am a math major and music minor in college. I want to be a math teacher when I get out of college and perhaps play in community/church/local/summer/ANY band that wouldn't interfere too much with teaching. The reason I want to be a teacher is for security. I know it's much harder to become a proffessional clarinetist than to become a math teacher in NJ. But should I worry about doubling on sax? Or just concentrate solely on clarinet?
I already know how to play sax, can play most sax music given to me, and still have a lot to learn, but I know enough to participate in my local church band. My goal (in distant future) is to play on broadway. Should I worry abotu doubling now or would I have to worry about it in the future anyway?
2) My clarinet tends to be flat except for anything about a third level E (I don't know how to describe things well. The E below the top line of the staff). How can I correct this? Sometimes, with GREAT strain on my embochure (sp. correct?) I can get it to be in tune. Would it be worth getting a shorter barrel or just wait till I get a new clarinet? (which I WILL get in the summer of 2005)
Thank you.
Alexi
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-10-19 05:23
Sorry about posting it twice. I hit the "stop" button for the first one cause I messed up on the posting. If the webmaster can delete entries, please delete the older post so less people know me as a COMPLETE MORON!!!!!!!
Thank you.
Alexi
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-10-19 06:21
I can only speak to your first question. First, I hope you also want to be a math teacher because of 1) your love of mathematics, and 2) your desire to work with young people. Our son has been lucky enough to have had such math teachers two years in a row and it has completely turned around his attitude toward and desire to succeed in math. Second, I would think you have plenty of time to learn to double at any level, given your skills. Remember that in addition to high goals, you need balance in your life. Best wishes.
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2002-10-19 11:09
On your goals:
If you are having pitch problems on clarinet, I would address that first. Are you receiving clarinet instruction as part of your music minor at college? If not, I would consider taking a semester of lessons ASAP.
On doubling sax:
For church and community groups, you may already have the skill you need. For Broadway pits, you need to fully embrace and practice every instrument that you play. You also need to have good quality instruments in good working condition. If you want to know more about doubling, there was a terrific article in Windplayer Magazine last year about the doublers out in Hollywood. Lots of good advice there. (http://www.windplayer.com)
On the short barrel:
If you think that a short barrel will solve your problems, you might try getting a click-barrel (http://www.clickbarrel.com) and experimenting with that. Short barrels are helpful for doublers, but they also carry problems of their own. You can experiment with the clickbarrel (which changes length in 1mm increments) to find that barrel length that's best for you.
In my own doubling, I find that I only need a short barrel when playing tenor or bari sax. I practice clarinet regularly, and usually tend to be sharp if anything. The clickbarrel works well for me because I can return it to normal length as my clarinet embouchure settles back in.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-19 14:46
Doubling always makes you more versatile as a musician in being able to play a wider variety of gigs. As a clarinetist, you do not have to be a viruoso on the sax or flute, just good enough to play all the right notes in tune and with a decent sound.
Tuning--try a shorter barrel.
Teaching math--a good idea. The world needs more good math teachers that can inspire students of all ages. Music can always be your hobby or second source of income.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-10-19 15:07
>>>>As a clarinetist, you do not have to be a viruoso on the sax or flute, just good enough to play all the right notes in tune and with a decent sound. <<<
Sorry, the above cracks me up. You make it sound like being 'just good enough' (your definition) is an easy thing. Trust me, it ain't on any instrument.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-10-20 05:48
Mr. Hughes,
Not to fear. I'm not ONLY wanting to be a math teacher for the benefits, I really do love math. It's actually quite awkward how much I like it. I tutor math at school and I also tutor anyone that needs it for free if they really need/want my help. I don't care about the money, I just really like math. And I try to be a very personable person and would never make a person hate math or hate having to come to my class.
Mr. Cole,
I am recieving lessons next semester and until then am buying private lessons every other week to help me. I'll bring up the subject. I think it MAY be fixed with my embochure, but my current teacher has the same clarinet as me and has a different than "stock" barrel. So I think I might need it.
William #2 ;-),
And math will be my primary. Music is definitely a hobby. I don't care at ALL about getting paid for it. As a matter of fact, if I do get a "paid" job during the summers, you can bet that since it's only a secondary hobby, most of those earnings will go to others in either charity or to my little sister as she grows up and gets ready for college.
Once again, thank you all for your advice and I'll be checking back to see later posts. I guess for now I'll concentrate more on the clarinet since I prefer that to sax and since the sax will only be for church (not to downplay church, but the music isn't dificult enough to warrant extra study yet). And I'll be posting more since I have had ALL these questions and now found a way to get them out and answered.
Alexi
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