 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BlockEyeDan
Date: 2006-01-22 17:45
Hello all,
It's been a bit since I've last posted. I'm currently involved in a production of Ravel's L'enfant et les sortileges. Unfortunately, I'm not playing bass clarinet or contrabassoon or anything fun like that. I'm singing. I'm singing a part which I have no business singing. It's the "Ding Ding Ding", and I'm a grandfather clock. I have to sing in heavily accented French at the top of my lungs, while crawling about the stage. The metrononme marking on my song is quarter note=168. Oh yeah, and it's mostly TRIPLETS. Did I mention it's in French? I'm also a true bass singing a baritone part; the belted G4 is not exactly comfortable for me.
So how did I get involved in this? Our music dept. chairman, who is also my choir instructor, recruited me for the show. We made a tape of the song with him at the piano for me to practice with. Unfortunately, the tape is at quarter note=120 or so. We've been staging the production the past few days using the CD (mm=168!), and I am simply unable to perform the choreography and sing properly at that speed. I've had to sacrifice one for the other, and that doesn't fly with him. He tells me to just DO IT. I feel like an ass in front of my cast members because I'm tripping up during this number. They are sympathetic to my plight and agree that the song is damn near impossible to do at that speed for a non-native speaker. But I don't want their sympathy. I want to get through my song without making myself, but more importantly them, look like a fool. My director, however, is not someone who will take kindly to my plea to slow the song down.
I know I need to say SOMETHING, because it's not going to get any better if I don't. I'm steeling myself for a confrontation, because I know I'm going to get one (though I'll state that I like and respect this professor a GREAT DEAL, and he likes me as well). I know he gave me the part because he thought I could handle it, and I'm flattered by that. But I simply can't deliver what he wants, and for the good of the show itself I know something has to be done.
This is non-clarinet stuff, but I know that dealing with directors/conductors is something a lot of people here have tons of experience with. I'd love to hear feedback; the show goes up Thursday.
Take care,
BlockEyeDan
Post Edited (2006-01-22 18:40)
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Author: Ashlee
Date: 2006-01-22 19:07
I have had a similar experience w/ my conductor before yet on bass clarinet. I had never played the instrument before and I was told to play the bass clarinet part in Schoernberg's Kammersymphonie No. 9. This is one of the hardest pieces for bass clarinet and has this ridiculous nearly impossible run (not to mention an exposed solo) in the middle of the piece. Only having 2 weeks to learn literally how to put the instrument together and learn this difficult repertoire...yes, something had to give.
The steps I took to get the problem solved was simply this:
1. Have YOU done everything you possibly can...practiced it enough, talked w/ other people who have played/sung the piece before, and even talked w/ your private teacher about ways to approach this difficult section?
2. Next, take the piece to your private teacher. See what she/he has to offer and let them work w/ you one on one instead of embarrassing you infront of the entire cast.
3. Make sure you have tried every possibility and every suggestion. Usually difficult sections just take time..muscle memory for instrumentalists.
4. If you still feel as if you can't handle the piece, a professional conversation/approach to the conductor may be necessary but should be one of the last things on your mind. Do not "quit" or say that you "can't." Conductors never want to hear these things...especially a few days before a concert. Instead, explain to him/her everything that you have done and ask him/her for suggestions/advice.
5. If thier advice does not work, ask them to have a one on one session w/ you (right before the rehearsal) to go over an appropriate tempo.
The best advice I can give you, is just to make sure that you have done everything...learned the piece, notes, diction, accents, etc... There is nothing more embarrasing than asking for help when you have not helped yourself. Bon Chance!
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2006-01-22 19:27
Ashlee wrote:
>> I was told to play the bass clarinet part in Schoernberg's Kammersymphonie No. 9. This is one of the hardest pieces for bass clarinet and has this ridiculous nearly impossible run (not to mention an exposed solo) in the middle of the piece.>>
For the exposed solo, it helps to play the low Eb with your right knee.
Tony
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Author: Ashlee
Date: 2006-01-23 00:14
Thanks for the advice Mr. Pay...too bad the concert was 4 months ago..
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2006-01-23 04:21
Okay
If your director has a problem with it, then I think it should be up to him to provide suggestions. If it isn't possible to do it THAT fast, then he should either make allowances and slow it down, or find someone else to do it. The only thing you CAN do, imho, is sing (speak??) it as well as you can while doing your choreography to the best of your ability. Don't give up, or get frustrated (at least visibly). Persevere and practice. Those are the keys to success!!! Good Luck and break a leg!!
Clayton
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-01-23 14:24
Blockeye maybe you are just having a bad dream...it sounds too unreal.
Bob Draznik
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2006-01-23 17:15
i'd take any part in the work enfant de sortilege, wonderful piece, one of my all time favs
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-01-24 07:26
In my opinion, 'just do it!' is never a good sign. I'd suggest you ask for some more specific thoughts. Appeal to the dude's rationality, by being calm and rational yourself. A 'grown-up' discussion might reveal some ways to crack the chestnut (and might dispel some animosity)
Just a thought from a guy who's had too many run-ins with bosses.
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