 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2008-03-26 13:01
I play in a Wind Symphony of about 65-70 members. We have a very small clarinet section. This semester there are 2 on first, 2 on second and 1 on 3rd.
Nobody but the person who plays first chair aspires to be in that position. Everyone is happy just where they are. I did try it one or two times, but I didnt like the pressure. So the guy in that position is kinda there by default (no one else wants to do it).
However, he has missed 4 rehearsals for various reasons. 2 of them back to back in the last 2 weeks. I play 1st part too, and while I am less dependent on him than I used to be, It is really hard to be the only 1 on first part.
While the guy is good enough to miss rehearsals, I'm just getting really annoyed about it and theres nothing I can do becuz no one else wants his position.
Thanks for letting me vent.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-03-26 13:14
I had a similar thing with a local orchestra where the principal oboist wouldn't attend rehearsals but would turn up for the concert performances.
So I ended up playing 1st oboe at the rehearsals (as they only had a few pieces that had cor anglais parts, which is what I was there for) but not on the gig. The second oboist didn't want to do 1st, so instead of sitting around twiddling my thumbs I was put to use on 1st.
So it is annoying to be doing someone else's rehearsal for them, but not doing the gig when you have put the effort into it.
But really if whoever appoints themself or is given an important position, they should at least make the effort instead of assuming someone else will do it when they can't be arsed.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2008-03-26 13:35
First of all, if i were in charge of your clarinet section, there would be two thirds, two seconds and only one first for reasons of tonal balance. Second, the first player would not necessarily be the "best" player, but the one who is most reliable about always being in that chair. However, if none of you really want to "step up" and assume the principalship of your small section, then you all may have a more serious problem. Being in first chair is sometmes one of "those" jobs that, simply, someone "has to do". If were your conductor, I would lean on you because you are already playing the part and you care about being there. But at the very least, if I were your conductor, I would try to impose more demanding standards regarding more regular rehearsal attendance for everyone.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-03-26 14:29
Janlynn,
There is never a convenient time to become the principal (either acting or actual). However, as Doc Miller the venerable Camp Storer YMCA Camp Director used to say "responsibility comes to those that grab it." Doc also said "nothing of significance is ever accomplished without great sacrifice."
I have been the principal by default on clarinet on several occasions; I always came out of it a better player. Although you have lots of issues here, just do what's best for the group (put the personal issues on a back burner till a more convenient time).
HRL
Post Edited (2008-03-26 18:06)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-03-26 15:23
I completely agree with Hank and William above, Janlynn. This is clearly an opportunity for you to make the strides required to be a first chair clarinetist. You didn't ask for it, and you shouldn't ignore it!
Good Luck!
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2008-03-26 15:32
I would love to, but I just dont have the confidence. I just wish the principle clarinetist would be there more often to support his section. I was SURE that after missing last week he would be there last night and was disappointed when he didnt show again.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-03-26 16:15
janlynn -
Go home and practice. Build yourself up to where you can carry the section with nobody else's support. In fact, this is an opportunity, not a problem. You now have the chance you need to build your confidence.
Learning to take problems in stride, and without complaint, is a big part of being a good player -- someone other people depend on. It's really important both to play easily and to appear to play easily. Mastering this is the next big step in your development as a player. Take it and run with it.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-03-26 17:50
Hi,
Here's one thing that occurred to me after I posted the note above.
An intelligent (and secure) principal in a community group like this will often let a second chair have some rehearsal and even performance solos. One never knows when the second might have to step in (like you seem to be doing).
This is really good practice as well (when it's only you). OK, a little terrifying for an actual performance but very character building for sure.
HRL
PS I would not feel annoyed but would strive to feel empowered.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RLSchwebel
Date: 2008-03-26 21:24
Janlynn:
I too was appointed principal in our wind symphony ten years ago. When my peers asked me to play 1st, my only thought was the ensemble certainly has not gotten desperate. Though I had not played in years, my peers recalled my successes in high school and college. (Ironic that I was black listed by my professors for changing from a performance major in clarinet to business and engineering.)
But these guys are right! This is an fantastic opportunity! Own it, beat the expectation, and set a new standard! I do what Hank suggest. I let my assistant take a solo every now and then. He's ten times the jazzer and extremely talented.
I play clarinet because I love it and as I always tell my friends and colleagues, it's what I do...I play clarinet. I enjoy playing tremendously and can still hold my own with the big guns out there. Besides, if you have the equipment purchased, it's a cheap hobby...no matter how expensive reeds get.
~robt
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-03-27 02:03
quick question? Is this a high school group? If it is I can relate. I am in high school, and first chair clarinet, but last year i was second chair. The first chair was a senior, all-stater i should add, and our head drum major. He would always miss rehersals! He had good reason I guess- he was also the saludadictorian, or whatever you call it. Never an important one though, but it was a few here and there. It does get frustrating. We joke around about "senioritus" and things like that. Now being first chair, I have made it a promise to myself and for the sake of others to never miss a rehersal, unless its something really, really, really important. I know what it feels like, so i don't want the other aspiring students in the section to feel the same. Besides it makes me look bad.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davyd
Date: 2008-03-27 03:55
I'm a bit surprised that a 65-member wind ensemble has only 5 clarinets in the first place.
There's no mention of exactly why the principal player has been absent so often. If it's for a personal and/or professional crisis, there's not much that can be done.
I concur with the others: this should be looked at as an opportunity to excel. As the old cliche says, "Some are born great; others have greatness thrust upon them".
At the same time, it sounds like this section needs more depth anyway. Can someone be recruited on a temporary basis, until your principal player recovers from his apparent crisis?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-03-27 11:28
Okay, this suggestion is somewhat evil, but it just might work. Right now, the first chair can afford to be complacent because you and the other clarinet players have let it be known that you don't want his job. So get together with the others and spread the rumor that you *do* want his job. You might even enlist the conductor (if the conductor is the approachable type) to help, perhaps by "going behind your back" (wink, nudge) and warning the guy that the other clarinet players are conspiring to boot him to third chair. A little competition might encourage this guy to improve his work ethic.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2008-03-27 11:38
OK, here's the way our wind symphony deals with the clarinet section. We have two on each part and each person rotates in a seat during the concert, so that you might be playing first in one and third in another. The director sets this all up ahead of time and everyone has the schedule so there's no arguments. It does look a little silly in performance as they exchange seats but it gives everyone a chance for glory! I should add that ALL Of these players can play any part so it is not a problem, although I do note that he puts the heavyweight players on first for the most challenging pieces.
Luckily I play Eefer so it's just me on my part except when there's the rare piece that requires two.
Eefer guy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
