 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2002-11-21 20:39
I am sometimes invited to sit in for a tune as part of a jazz group. At a time like that it is hard to be prepared as you would like, e.g. soak the reed a bit, a few long tones, some exercises to establish coordination, and enough playing to bring the instrument to its usual pitch. There is often no time to do this, and no back room to do it in!
My question: how can I make the most of a minimum of time to prepare? At present all I know how to do is to be very conservative in my solos, to avert the risk of squeaks etc. as my embouchure settles in.
thanks
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-21 21:15
They let you play "a" tune??? I'd either get my chops in better shape, John, or find another, more laid back, outfit to sit in with. I've never in my life played one tune as a 'sit-in'; always a set - several tunes. You pick one you like for a warm up piece to sorta settle in, then just go with the flow for the rest. It's not Your group... adapt. If you're worried about squeaks etc., you may have to consider more preparation, the old "P" word - Practice - before you go there again. You have all the time between sitting-in sessions to PREPARE -- when you go there, be ready to PLAY
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-11-21 23:13
Yup...I sometimes sit in with my friends, the accordionists, on their weekly Saturday session.
The Legere is the best way to go...I don't have to sit there sucking away on a reed while trying to eat dinner at the deli they play at!
And whenever they ask me to hop up there to jam, it's ready to go!
As far as practice...we play tunes we know, and for solos...again, improv-wise, it's international (i.e. Balkan) stuff so I don't personally have to be super-prepared there, cause they usually only use one chord and don't have to modulate! (I know, I'm lazy...LOL!)
Katrina
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-11-22 05:41
One can carry a short barrel so that one can be reasonably up to pitch even when the clarinet is cold. For other situations when a warmup is possible, one can switch back the the normal barrel.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-22 15:05
If you do not mind the tone quality, Legere reeds work very well in situations where you must be ready to play "instantly" on demand. I would just pop my reed in my mouth while assembling my instrument, rub the vamp to seal the xylum and be ready to wail. (my reed would have been already "conditioned" to my mouthpiece for optimum playability)
As for tuning, to compensate for "early flatness", start with a shorter barrel. Then, after playing a few bars (32-64) and the clarinets pitch starts to rise, pull out a bit to maintain the desired intonation. Most clarinets are sold to play a bit sharp to allow for necessary tuning flexability and therefore, need to be "pulled" to play at A=440. However, many jazz bands play much sharper than that, so perhaps you need an even shorter barrel than was originally included with your clarinet. I always carry a 64 mm barrel in my "gig bag" for those "really sharp" pianos that we are sometimes forced to play with. To the average audience member, playing a bit sharp is "acceptable"--but playing flat is always noticed as "hmmm......clarinetist must have a galvanized ear for music." Sorry for "ranting on"--hope this helps!!!! Play confidently!!!
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Author: Diane
Date: 2002-11-22 18:33
FWIW: I had a teacher who recommended that I practice at least one day a week without going through the warm-up routine I usually do, for the simple reason that life happens that way sometimes.
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2002-11-23 20:46
Thanks, everyone. It goes without saying that practice is part of the solution to all problems in playing an instrument! But I do understand that it reinforces our will to practice if we remind each other now and again.
I will spring for a Legere, maybe that will be good for the great variations in temperature and humidity in some of the places I play for fun.
Of course, Ron B., it is usually a set, not just a tune. But it's that first one that's the killer. I am reminded of Jethro Burns' remark that he always starts with the second tune.
My barrel (a 64 mm.) is the shortest I could find in my area that would fit. Fortunately I have a supply of black Delrin and can run a lathe, so I'll soon have a short barrel to swap in as needed.
John
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