 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: OboeAtHeart
Date: 2005-11-15 22:07
I'm going to have to make a really difficult decision.
I started playing the clarinet in 6th grade because they needed another clarinet player in a very small middle school band. I had to teach myself at first and developed a few wacky habits. Those got ironed out by a few excellent teachers.
I love the instrument, it's a joy to play, but there are so many good clarinet players. I mean, tons. We're, unfortunately, a dime a dozen, and it's really difficult to get anywhere as a performing clarinetist.
I started playing the oboe my freshman year of high school and, (I hate saying this because it makes me sound egotistical), took to it almost immediately. I wasn't just okay at it, I was actually -good- at it, and some of the county's band directors suggested I be allowed to play the instrument in the symphonic band.
I love playing oboe, it's almost more natural to play than the clarinet, but there will never really be an opportunity for me to really play it in high school. They use me second semester for the lower band. And that's it. No matter what happens, they'll never let me play it in the upper band because of the fact that I play clarinet. If I major in clarinet performance and music ed like I intend to, there's a chance that I'll never touch the oboe again after HS.
There aren't a lot of good oboe players floating around - audition opportunities are better, easier to get into a good college, ect. Should I put my foot down with my director and ask to play oboe for good and give up clarinet, or give up the oboe and focus on the clarinet, my first instrument, entirely?
I need some wise advice here, and I've found a lot of it on this board. Thanks in advance.
*~"The clarinet, though appropriate to the expression of the most poetic ideas and sentiments, is really an epic instrument- the voice of heroic love."~*
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2005-11-15 22:23
Ray Still started on clarinet, loved the sound of the oboe and switched. Follow your gut. If you force yourself to play one instrument over another simply because the job market seems better on the other, take up accounting.
..........Paul Aviles
P.S. Artie Shaw gave up his love, the saxophone because there was a
better market for clarinet at the time. Times have changed.
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Author: muse432
Date: 2005-11-15 22:25
HI,
I had the same exact problem as you several years ago, the only difference is that I extremely enjoyed playing both 100%...it sounds like your playing clarinet more as a duty and as ''i have too''. I think if you like the oboe and enjoy playing it than go with it, you could always practice clarinet on the side lines. as you may know in an audition application its a plus+++ knowing 2 intruments instead of one!and its true its really hard unless your extremely good at the clarinet to get far with it unlike the oboe where it stands in a more RARE area of playability among musicians today.
Muse
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-15 22:56
Play what you want to play, you probably won't get a professional job at either, so do what you love to do and have a good backup plan.
Sounds harsh, but most likely dead on advice.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-15 23:05
If you're name is "oboe at heart", and you truly love the oboe MORE than the clarinet, I see no reason why you should be doing something you DON'T love. In my limited experience with life, choosing something out of convenience has usually (99% of time) ended up regret and only wishing I had gone with the heart instead of the head.
So whichever you ENJOY more, is what you should do. Regardless of other outside influences.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: noahbob
Date: 2005-11-15 23:11
The same thing has just hapened to me this very month. I've just recently taken up oboe in my youth and highschool orchestra. I am pricniple in my highschool orchestra. I feel i am having the same change-of-heart as well. I do love the clarinet but the oboe, to me anyway, is far more interesting to learn, and as you said the need for oboe players are much greater then that of clarinet players. At least at this point in time.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-15 23:32
"If I major in clarinet performance and music ed like I intend to, there's a chance that I'll never touch the oboe again after HS."
--------------------------
You either major in Performance, or Ed. They are 2 very different programs and have often even different faculty for your lessons. If you are doing Ed, the oboe will come in handy too.
ED is the practical major.
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-11-16 00:48
Wow, I share your experience. I started trombone recently and really took to it. I'm section leader (trombone) this year, as well as principal clarinet in my All-District Honor Band, high school band, and high school orchestra/pit orchestra. I REALLY wanted to play trombone for concert band because our low brass in general lack dedication and technique, but my director refused, so I'll play clarinet for the good of the ensemble. Don't get me wrong I LOVE clarinet, but I like trombone ALMOST as much (plus my friends play trombone, and I really don't get along with the other clarinet players. Egostistical snobs who think they're better than they are, but thats another story...).
I have a few questions then for you. Are there other (better) oboe players at your school?? If so, that may be why you aren't able to play oboe. Or does your clarinet section really play badly, which explains why your director NEEDS you (the star player??) to play clarinet.
Don't give up either if you don't WANT TO. This meaning don't let others influence your dreams because they THINK it isn't possible/feasible. There are MANY outstanding clarinet/oboe players in the world. I don't see any reason why there can't be one more
Clayton
Post Edited (2005-11-16 00:50)
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-11-16 02:04
Ah, Oboe-at-Heart, you are playing my tune . . .
I was that H.S. clarinetist who wanted to play the oboe (never did). I asked to switch, but was told, "But we NEED you at clarinet."
Nevermind that I didn't particularly enjoy the clarinet, or feel drawn to it. My parents chose it for me, I was good at it, and I was dutiful, and so, for 47 years, I played an instrument that I didn't really like. Not that I hated it. It just never grabbed me.
Started the oboe two years ago. Like you, I took to it like a duck to water. I love everything about it -- how it feels, how it sounds, the repertoire, and the multitude of opportunities I have to play in a variety of civic groups, large and small. And, you get all sorts of cool solos as an oboist.
Seriously: there IS life after high school. When considering your long term opportunities, do what you love. The rest will follow.
(If it were me, I'd deep six the licorice stick and put all my chips on the oboe. Duh!)
Hey, come join us on the Oboe Board on this same server!
Susan
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Author: OboeAtHeart
Date: 2005-11-16 03:22
In response to Mr. Blumberg. I intend to play music professionally on one or the other, and most likely for the rest of my life. It isn't an option. There isn't a back up plan. I love music more than anything, and I'm either going to play, or I'm going to die trying. I'll also be double majoring. My clarinet teacher has informed me that it's possible, but difficult, and I like challenges, so, there's that. I'm not sure of the hows, or the whens, but that's not so important as to having the dedication and the desire to figure it out.
As for practicality, well, I like the Eb clarinet family - both soprano and alto, and enjoy playing both of them. (I am too small for contrabass.) I guess that speaks for itself.
It's certainly not a matter of not loving the clarinet - I adore my collection and love playing them whenever I get the chance, it's just deciding which one I really want to focus on as a performer.
I've not come to a decision, but you all have given me quite a few things to think about. Thanks hugely for your advice on the matter.
*~"The clarinet, though appropriate to the expression of the most poetic ideas and sentiments, is really an epic instrument- the voice of heroic love."~*
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-11-16 03:25
At this time of your life, you have the ability to follow your passion, and you should take advantage
Sounds like you have a passion for oboe - stick with it, become a great oboist.
Don't neglect "academics," though.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-11-16 03:29
Why not playing both?
Aren't you better off being versatile. Ask any of the guys that are on broadway how many instruments they play...
Sax players in jazz bands often have to also learn flute and clarinet.
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: vin
Date: 2005-11-16 04:33
Do you love making reeds? As a professional oboist, you will have to spend AT LEAST twice as much time making reeds as practicing. Take that into consideration.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-11-16 12:48
This is surporising to me. A lot of oboe players start on the clarinet, and somebody has to play oboe in the high school band even if, as is usually the case around here, there also are not enough clarinets. But even if the oboe "spots" are taken at your school there is no reason you can't play oboe as well, take private lessons, start or find a WW quintet, do summer programs on the oboe, etc.
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2005-11-16 12:59
OboeatHeart,
Because you want to take your music making to the highest possible level, focusing on one instrument is not only prudent, but a reality.
One advantage for the oboe is that there is a large baroque repertoire for it. You can easily latch yourself to a string quartet or string ensemble and play. If you have the capacity for languages you would certainly find more work in Europe travelling and playing. There are many small ensembles. Almost every church has monthly concerts with extremely high caliber players. However in Europe, because baroque music is much more popular, there are many more oboe players, so your competition will be much greater.
But remember, the higher your musical aspirations, the sooner you should make your decision. And ultimately a decision from you heart is the best.
Ron Jr.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-11-16 13:07
In regard to the idea of a double major -- performance plus education -- another way that some folks handle this is to take the performance major first, and then pick up the education classes in a fifth year, or as a Master's.
There is more than one way to do this. The system is open-ended. I am sure many, many of us would confirm that what we opted for at 18, or at 21, or even later, is far removed from what we are actually doing now. Life is funny that way.
Which is why, oboe-at-heart, so many people are giving you the advice to follow your passion and not get too concerned about the immediate situation. That will pass -- and quickly, too. What will persist, with any luck at all, is your own passion and drive. So fulfilling that is where you want to focus your efforts.
If that means staying with both instruments, so be it. It seems as if you are trying to force a decision that may not actually have to be made. Maybe you DO really want to play both? So, do it. That's OK, too.
As my grandma used to say, "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face."
Susan
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2005-11-16 13:33
Oboe at heart:
I'll echo the sentiment that you should play the instrument that you want to play. This decision could possibly affect everything you do for the remainder of your life. With that said though, you can continue playing both but I would highly suggest that you truly focus on one of the instruments. It's really tough to be the best you can be on two drastically different instruments. You can pull out the other whenever you feel the need to play it.
I went through this decision myself many moons ago & did what the director wanted. That was a mistake. One thing to realize is that the band director's real priority is NOT NECESSARILY WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU but rather what's best for the band. Keep that in mind while you are making your decision.
Good luck. You know what's right.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-16 13:58
If you have to make a choice as to which one you study full time, don't give up the other one - but keep up playing it as much as you possibly can, as well as concentrating on your main study. Don't give up anything.
If anything, double reed players are hard to come by generally, and even more rare are single reed players that play double reeds as well - this will come in useful if later on you play in pit orchestras where some parts require both single and double reeds on the same part. I've had several of these, only last week doing Reed 3 in 'Guys and Dolls' which was tenor sax, clarinet, oboe and cor anglais.
There's no reason why in a few years time you shouldn't start playing sax or flute as well, and if you go into teaching at least you will have the experience on the main instruments.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-16 14:24
"you probably won't get a professional job at either"
Why not? If he works hard enough it is possible, but either way, why make him lose his hope?
"You either major in Performance, or Ed."
Or both - it is possible.
OboeAtHeart, if you really want I think you can play both. For example, one of the best oboe players in my university is also one of the best recorder players.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-16 15:57
_---"You either major in Performance, or Ed."
Or both - it is possible.
-----------------------------------
You would have to find a school which will allow you. Typically the ed majors have the lesser teachers for their private lessons and don't perform in the same ensembles either.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-11-17 11:58
No reason not to keep up study, solo.
There are FAR more commercial opportunities for players with more than one reed in their case...
That, and the "wounded duck" passages in most classical pieces will need an oboe to do justice.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2005-11-18 07:11
Wkhy make a decision? Could you continue with both? They are totally compatible, but as you know there are some differences. I've played both for many years and would not stop playing either one. They are both wonderful instruments. To be a serious oboe player, one must learn to make reeds, however. You may also wish to take up the saxophone(alto to start) and the flute. Good luck! Find good teachers!
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