 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2006-10-13 23:31
I currently play sax (SATB), clarinet, and flute. I also have a piccolo and recently purchased a bass clarinet because I thought it would increase my marketability as a pit band player. I'm taking lessons on bass clarinet and have also started picking up the piccolo a bit after a long hiatus (it's not that great an instrument).
Assuming I can play all the above, if I were to get another instrument what would you recommend, in order to increase playing opportunities? Eb clarinet, bassoon, oboe? Thanks.
Post Edited (2006-10-14 00:44)
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2006-10-14 20:17
You may want to check out http://www.geocities.com/bpimentel/articles/shows.htm where Bret Pimental has put together the best one-stop resource I know of for what shows require what doubles. You could then see the various combinations.
Another question to answer to yourself would be: which instrument do I play best and/or enjoy the most. If flute is a strength and you play alto sax better than the others, then piccolo should be a focus. You could also add alto flute. If tenor is your best/favorite sax, then you will see that oboe and English horm would be called for. If you love bass clarinet and baritone sax then bassoon would be your next choice. There are of course exceptions to these guidelines but they can be used as guidelines nonetheless.
It all depends on YOU. Also, depending on your mastery of what you are playing so far, you may play enough doubles now. However, whatever you decide, enjoy the instruments you play and spend as many hours as you can mastering them.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: Bret Pimentel
Date: 2006-10-16 02:57
I think rcnelson's advice is excellent. With your current collection of instruments, you could play quite a few musicals. Some frequent combinations are a flute-heavy book, with piccolo and/or alto flute (plus probably some clarinet and/or saxophone); a clarinet-heavy book, maybe with E-flat; an oboe/English horn book (frequently with clarinet and tenor saxophone); or a low reeds book, with bassoon, bass clarinet, and baritone saxophone.
If you're thinking of something more like studio work, any of those that you mentioned are fine options. Also consider folk, ethnic, and period woodwinds (recorders, pennywhistles, wooden and bamboo flutes...), which are pretty hot in commercial music these days.
If you're think of jazz big band stuff, you might run across some piccolo in a lead alto book, but any of those other instruments will be very rare.
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2006-10-16 18:42
Thanks for those suggestions. After some consideration, I think I do play enough doubles now. I was actually thinking of getting a bassoon. If I do get any other instruments it would probably be better to get an alto flute or Eb clarinet i.e. instruments that are more similar to what I already play.
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2006-11-22 01:50
I would go to oboe next. There's always a need for a tripler who can play oboe. A good oboe player is hard to find, since you have a lot of lead lines. It's like being a jazz tenor soloist--every swing band needs a good one.
You'll get more work on oboe than you would on Eb clarinet or bassoon. Once you've conquered oboe, go to bassoon. Again, good bassoonists are rare. But if a small orchestra needed both and could only afford one, they would cut the bassoon part in favor of the oboe.
Keep in mind, though, that oboe is a completely different universe than the single reeds and you will need a competent teacher to learn to play it properly.
Unless you play in a community band with a need for it, E-flat gigs are relatively rare. I played one 16 years ago and didn't have another until last month. Since you already play B-flat, you know a lot of what you'll need to know.
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2006-11-30 00:21
About the Eb soprano clarinet, I have decided (for the moment anyway) that I don't really need one, for similar reasons that you have given above.
I am thinking of getting an alto flute and piccolo next, then apart from upgrading an instrument or two, that will be that for me.
Interesting thoughts about oboe though...
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2006-11-30 02:07
I forgot to mention that after you learn oboe, get yourself an English horn (or, ahem, cor anglais). I found it a breeze to go from oboe to EH--it's the same fingerings but because the instrument and reed are larger, it's easier to play.
You'll experience a lot of rasied eyebrows and exclamations of delight in the pit when they see you assembling your English horn. I find it to be the most regal, special, and heavenly sounding instrument out there.
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Author: Erik713
Date: 2006-12-01 01:16
Jaysne, I agree completely! I started oboe after college (was a sax major), and picked up a Howarth EH soon after. The only way I can describe the EH is aural chocolate. I love playing it, and wish I got called for more gigs on it!!!
~~~~~~~
~Woodwind doubler - sop./alto/tenor saxes, clarinet, oboe, English horn, flute/picc.
~Woodwind Teacher
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Author: johnnymo0829
Date: 2007-01-09 19:24
oboe would be a great way to go. You can always find work on the oboe as long as your half way decient. The only drawback may be that a good number of books that call for oboe are oboe english horn. Neither of these are cheep instruments, so you have to be prepaired to make a good sized investment in money and in practice time to keep functional on these instruments.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2007-01-10 21:54
Ken, Suzy has a Selmer Eb clarinet she's not using and it is cheap if you want to take a look at it. It's a Vito with a non-standard case for $300 with no work needed on it. Let me know if you want me to bring it to practice tomorrow.
BTW, she's using a Leblanc Concerto Eb soprano clarinet now-a-days which she is really happy with. But that's a lot more money.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
Post Edited (2007-01-10 21:55)
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