 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: bassbuddy
Date: 2006-09-11 20:03
Hi all!
I'm a mainly bass clarinet player, and I am fortunate enough to play in two bands. I love my bass clarinet, but the lower band already has two and my director asked me if I'd want to play French Horn. Well, my two friends (a clarinet and flute) wanted to play as well, but their teachers freaked out and said it would mess up their woodwind embouchure. I haven't asked my private teacher yet, but I really want to play this instrument and I don't see why it's such a big deal. Please help!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-09-11 20:22
Hi Bassbuddy,
Check over on the Clarinet BB. There have been several discussion about doubling on brass; do a searcha nd you will find plenty. All have been very supportive of the concept.
I have had many students double on brass and woodwinds; no problems that I have found. The important thing is to not slack off the prctice on your primary instruments.
HRL
PS I really like to play French horn as well as trombone.
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2006-09-17 22:40
Bassbuddy
That is fine. It will not harm your bass clarinet embouchure, as long as you keep practicing regularly. I play: Oboe, Clarinet, Trombone, Baritone, and a little French Horn and my embouchures are all fine. No harm done!!!
Those teachers imho say those things to discourage their students from taking up another instrument, that might take away valuable practice time from their primary instrument. So, if you want to play French Horn, GO FOR IT!!!
Best of Luck!!!
Clayton
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-09-25 11:47
>>Those teachers imho say those things to discourage their students from taking up another instrument, that might take away valuable practice time from their primary instrument. So, if you want to play French Horn, GO FOR IT!!!
>>
I agree, but.... There really is such a thing as "jill of all trades, master of none." The last two weekends in a row, I passed up French horns, both reasonably priced and apparently in pretty good condition, at two different flea markets. At one of those markets, I also passed up an oboe. If I'd happened to have some spare money lying around, I might have decided differently, but at the time, I decided that at my age (58) I'd do better to put the practice time into the instruments I already play or different sizes of similar instruments (mostly single reeds, keyboards and recorders), instead of starting two completely unfamiliar instruments, both famous for being difficult to learn. I've already messed around with transverse flutes and cornet, and haven't been thrilled with my progress. Besides, a French horn would take up an awful lot more space in my office, already hogged by the bass sax and the contra-alto clarinet....
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2006-09-29 03:11
Lelia Loban wrote:
> >>Those teachers imho say those things to discourage their
> students from taking up another instrument, that might take
> away valuable practice time from their primary instrument.
I disagree. I think teachers say those things because they don't know any better!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-09-29 12:16
Jayane,
Your comment is probabaly closer to the truth than you may realize. As a former HS band director, we switched all woodwind players to brass instruments for marching band (this was 30 years ago). We owned a lot of $25 trumpets and trombones. The students loved it and still got their superior ratings at competition each year.
The band was a real gas but how can you miss with 70 trumpets and 20 trombones plus the rest of the brass & percussion.
HRL
Post Edited (2006-09-29 12:22)
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