 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-19 09:41
I hope to join the Navy Band asap. I don't have a preference as to which one, i just know I have always wanted to perform in the Navy this way.
I play: all clarinets, mainly bass and soprano.
I need: a prepared piece of grade 5 and to learn the minor scales.
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. I am not in school, nor do i have money for lessons. I am all self taught, and have made it to state auditions in Virginia once on my second year of playing bass clarinet: 24 out of 32. I never went back because of my health preventing me to handle auditions well. I am all better now though lol. This is what I want to do with my life, so any help in taking a step forward is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Your friendly neighborhood Suitman
Post Edited (2010-12-21 19:32)
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-19 17:22
While I am physically fit, basic Training is not what I intended this post to be about.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-12-19 17:43
Suitman -
Part III of the Baermann Method contains all the minor scales, and much more. You should have it on your music stand and work out of it every day.
I suggest the Weber Concertino for your solo piece. For my ideas about performing it, see http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=20&i=270&t=259.
I strongly suggest that you take lessons. A good teacher can help you learn the minor scales, choose repertoire and many other things, and can also evaluate your talent and advise you about your next steps.
Ken Shaw (a former military bandsman)
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-19 17:44
I don't need lessons. I can play just as well as those who take them, with twice the heart and soul. As for my question: I need a good prepared piece, and either a book or somewhere on line to help with my learning minor scales, along with triads and arpeggios of which I forgot to mention in my initial post.
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-19 17:47
Thank you Ken, I had already posted the above before knowing you had replied. I really don't have the money for lessons. I can't afford $80 a month.
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-19 18:13
Oh, okay then. I guess your advice is for me to just give up now and not waist my time. I'll take that advice then. Thank you for preventing me from a big mistake.
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-12-19 18:38
Suitman, I don't think they are trying to discourage you, they just want to be realistic. The people who get the military jobs (from my understanding) are usually college graduates who do nothing but play 5-8 hours a day and the scales aren't even what they think about going into the auditions because they have been ingrained in them for years.
You can play with more heart than everyone else there, but if you don't have the certain set of skills they are looking for you don't have a chance and most of these skills are passed down from other professional players through lessons.
I don't think it is a bad goal to have or to discourage you from it, but to think you can start practicing minor scales now for auditions that are in January (if you are taking the audition that I know of) is unrealistic. If you can't afford lessons, audition at colleges and get a scholarship and get free lessons that way.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-19 19:05
The auditions for the military bands is based a lot on sight reading. As far as what to prepare I'd go with the Mozart Concerto or one of the Weber pieces. As far as lessons go, if you get into a military band, you will most likely have to take lessons from an experienced military clarinet member of the band. This is how you will get promoted - by getting better taking lessons.
The army has more field bands so if you don't get into the navy, try for the army.
I was in the air force band, so this info is pretty accurate. I didn't have to go through basic training, but with most band auditions, other than the Washington DC bands, you will need to go through basic training.
I have to repeat something here...Sight reading is a must at these auditions, practice this a lot. 2 to 3 hours a day for around 6 months or more. If you run out of clarinet music to sight read, pick up violin music.
As far as scales go, be able to play up to 5 sharps and 5 flats, 2 octaves or more, by memory, major and minor. The key here is by memory.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2010-12-23 07:27)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2010-12-19 19:22
The Navy - you absolutely will have to go through basic training. Wasn't trying to discourage you, but was trying to give you a dose of reality. The reality is that you will be auditioning against players who do take private lessons and do play many hours a day. Going into the Navy for music shouldn't be something that you just decided because your parents are about to throw you out, and you need a job. (I'm being hypothetical).
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-12-19 20:14
In my playing with retired US military bandsmen, I've found them to be top notch players that have everything expected from a fine musician. Intonation, expressivity, rhythm, coaching talent.
The folks I've met ALL have college music degrees, several have advanced degrees, and they are a cut above the recent college performance majors I've encountered. Of course, they have a whole lot of very valuable experience on top of their degrees.
I would not expect getting into a military band to be at all easy; the competition must be severe.
Heart and Soul is nice, but if you linger an extra 1/4 beat on a dotted 1/4 note, you're dead at the audition.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-12-19 21:15
And..........
The Navy's "regular" band gigs are for the most part primarily ceremonial (marching band) OR jazz band (you'd need to be good on saxophone).
You might have your best shot auditioning for the Army Band program. We still do a fair mix of ceremonial and concert repertoire. First try the Specialty Band route to see if you can get the "best gigs" (The Army Band, The Army Field Band, West Point...........or the Navy Band or the Navy Academy Band for that matter). But failing that, ask a recruiter to schedule an audition with an Army Band Liaison. If you are a solid player you should have no problem passing an audition with a liaison.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2010-12-19 23:55
Here's my take:
First off, did you know that if you go Navy that you will start off at E-2 and upon graduating the school of music you will then be E-3?
Army starts from day one at E-4.
The Navy musicians at the School of Music (SOM) were generally very good and all having college degrees. The same for the Army, mostly. By and large, the Marine musicians were the weakest musically, most having come directly from high school.
If you are planning on playing in a military band and haven't gone to college, you might want to consider becoming a Marine.
Military band positions are becoming highly competitive these days with only a handful of openings each year. Also, in the Army at least, they are aiming more at college grads rather than high schoolers. That's not to say you wouldn't be qualified.
BTW, what was the URGENT part of your post?
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2010-12-20 07:40
It is interesting that in the US, military bands are becoming so competitive. It is not the case in the UK. I know so many out-of-work graduates and they won't even consider a military band career and the Army is DESPERATE for clarinets at the moment. It is their loss! A military career isn't forever, it is for a minimum of 4 years and a huge bonus is that I am now fit and healthy, I've lost 20kg this year and in 2011 when I join the band properly, I'll be getting PAID to play the clarinet in a very secure job. You can't ask for more!
The downside is that the recruitment process is lengthy. There are interviews, medicals, fitness tests. They have looked into my background eg. school life, family life, do I really know what military life is like and will I be able to handle it. So if you say you want to be in a band ASAP, you might find yourself in the process for quite some time, so my advice is find something else that brings in money and passes the time. You mentioned that you once had a health problem; depending on what it is, you may need extra medical clearance on that but if it still affects you then it is more than likely they will not want a health liability in their ranks I'm sorry to tell you.
This is all UK military (Army) I've been talking about and I can't say that I am familiar with the US process but I imagine it is similar if not stricter. However at the end of all this is a great job, go for it with everything you've got!
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-12-20 10:05
"I can't afford $80 a month."
If you can't afford that, then how do you have money to buy reeds and keep your instrument in repair??
If you are very determined and have a lot of time to practice, only one lesson/month with a good teacher, might be enough- not impossible. But you should not expect to be ready for any real auditions for about a year.
Also, get into a amateur group in your area. Hearing others will help you hear yourself. If there are some experienced amateurs, then they might give you tips and advice here and there for free.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-12-20 12:22
You are certainly able to audition without having lessons. However in MY particular Army band, of the last 5 people we've gotten in straight from basic training (never have enlisted before), 1 is All but Dissertation on his doctorates in music performance (classical sax), 1 has his masters in jazz performance (on sax but also plays flute and clarinet), 1 has her bachelor's in music education and is currently working on her masters (sax), 1 has his masters in music performance (french horn) , and the other has her bachelor's in musical performance (piano).
The trend in the army is musicality is going UP, skills are going UP, education is going UP, and army audition standards are going UP. You may not think you need lessons, and you, in fact, may NOT need lessons. But I think it's probably best to at least CHECK with a teacher to see where you are musically and see what can/should be improved on to ensure you pass the audition.
On the other hand, I think it's very admirable that you want to do this for your life and are looking into joining a military band. If there is a military band near you (of any service) you could try to schedule an audition and see where you are on the grading scale.
For what it's worth, I still HIGHLY recommend trying to get lessons. I really had no idea how much I was missing or how much little things here or there would impact my playing until I started taking lessons. I'm the same as you, primarily self-taught, but after having a few lessons I only WISHED I had done whatever I could have to start them earlier.
It's your decision, but you've gotten a lot of advice here and I'd keep in mind that most people on this bulletin board are not here to sabotage people, but rather help them. I'd give common advice some serious weight before discarding it as "not for you".
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-12-20 14:18
You also need to think about whether the military life is right for you. Remember that there will be people who will order you around, and some of them care SERIOUSLY about how shiny your shoes are and whether you buy U.S Savings Bonds (on which their own evaluations depend).
Ken Shaw
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-21 16:20
I have decided to put off my audition. I want to audition on bass clarinet, but I don't have one nor can I get one to practice on. I'd audition on soprano, but I'm not very good on it. Not in a classical sense any way. It's more as a filler and for fun when I can't do anything else. On bass, I'd have a four octave range if I had a low C model. Everything I do on bass is basically the opposite compared to soprano. I'm very serious and strict about my bass cl. playing. I get asked a lot who I take lessons from when I am on it, and I tell them I don't. That isn't to say I don't need them. I don't even own the soprano I use. I'm lucky enough to be borrowing one from the community band I am in. So until I get a bass clarinet, or get insanely better at soprano I will not be auditioning. If any of you can get me a good bass cl that won't need any work, I would greatly appreciate it. Though I know this is impossible, I pray it will happen anyway lol.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-21 20:41
I'm not sure if the military field bands, not the DC bands, actually hire bass clarinetist. Call your recraiter. Most likely you will need to play the soprano clarinet.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2010-12-22 08:19
Suitman, have you spoken to anyone in the Navy? Been in to a recruitment center?
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2010-12-22 13:23
Go in and have a chat, get some facts. Web boards can only be helpful to a point.
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Author: Neil
Date: 2010-12-23 03:29
Go in and be a submarine auxiliaryman, you'll love it. If you insist on being musical, be a boatswain's mate, you get to play that cool little pipe.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-23 07:48
Suitman, since you decided to put off the auditions for a bit see a recruitment center and find out what you need to do to become a military band member.
Once you know the actual facts, start practicing and give yourself a time limit. Perhaps 3 months, 6 months, or maybe a year. Depends on how good your playing is. Before getting into the DC band I put in around 5 hours of practice a day for about a year- after college. The DC band auditions can often include 100 people trying out for only 1 position. The field bands are a lot easier, usually with only a few people to worry about.
Although my degree is based on the clarinet, I played a lot of sax gigs in the jazz band. I actually liked playing in the jazz band more than the concert band.
Don't give up on the future or yourself, just plan for the future. You will have a better chance if you pick up the sax along with the bass clarinet; depending what your recruiter suggests. Don't get turned off from what the people have written on the forum. Most of the players have a ton of experience. This is reality.
Good luck!
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Author: danb1937
Date: 2010-12-27 13:00
Suitman,
I realize that you have decided, for the present, NOT to audition for a Navy band. However, I ran across some information that you may find interesting: The Navy Band (in D.C.) has a saxophone symposium every year, and admission is free. You can go to numerous concerts, clinics, and informational sessions. It's not just for saxophonists.
It's at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and the sessions in 2011 are on January 8th & 9th. Check it out on the Navy Band website.
One of the most relevant sessions which is scheduled is a clinic by Navy Band 1st chair saxophonist Timothy Roberts, discussing what a candidate for the Navy Band can expect when auditioning. I think this will be a very informative session for ANYONE planning to audition for ANY military band on ANY instrument.
Just a thought. The symposium and all sessions are free; you still would have to pay for lodging and a few meals (hotel rates are quite reasonable.)
Good luck!
Dan
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Author: Suitman
Date: 2010-12-27 19:10
How do you know it isn't for just saxophonists? I checked the site, and it specifically said saxophone only. I live 6 hours away from it, and I need to know there will be something there for me as a clarinetist.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-12-27 22:26
By all means go. There's about a 90% overlap between sax and clarinet. You'll learn a lot, meet interesting people and get an idea of the competition.
(Given the weather, I'd take a bus.)
Ken Shaw
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Author: redwine
Date: 2010-12-28 14:38
Hello,
I plan to go to at least part of the symposium. Please try to find me and I'll be glad to talk to you about what I know of the program. Cheers.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-12-28 15:58
Maybe I'll see some of y'all there --- George Mason U. is all of 15 minutes from my house, I have no good excuse for missing the Sax Symposium. By the way, if you go, the Navy Commodores jazz big band usually plays with a guest soloist, this is NOT to be missed --- always a great show. In the past I've heard them play with two sax players I worship, Pete Christlieb and Don Menza.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2010-12-28 16:09
Hello David,
It will be good to see you. Cheers!
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-29 08:30
Pete Christlieb and Don Menza. I know both of these guys. I met Chris while at Interlochen and Menza stopped by Rico a few times. Excellent players. When I knew them they were playing the Selmer Mk 6 horns. They are very easy to approach.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2010-12-29 08:31)
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