Author: allencole
Date: 2008-08-11 16:43
I strongly disagree with Allegramente. You can't blame school music funding for the relative popularity of an instrument. The guitar rose to popularity with absolutely no institutional support, and guitar classes have appeared in the schools from public demand--although they're probably one of the worst ways in which to learn the instrument.
[I could rant quite a bit about guitar and keyboard classes, but will leave it to your imagination for now <g>]
I would blame it on four primary things (most already mentioned)
1 - Lack of visibility for the instrument in pop culture (exacerbated by the tendency of many clarinetists not to recognize that there IS pop culture)
2 - Lack of music appreciation. Most audiences today just can't handle the complexities of good instrumental music. A colleague of mine likes to say that we're getting closer to primal scream with each passing generation.
3 - Lack of clarinet appreciation even in its home venues of classical and jazz. As mentioned elsewhere, Klezmer, Gypsy, and similar niche forms are providing most of the few new outlets. (personally, I pray each night for a call from Riders in the Sky)
4 - A smorgasbord of other pursuits in which skillbuilding is either easier, more social, or with much more instant gratification.
If there are any solutions in terms of education, I think they would have to involve music appreciation. Even top band students don't have much curiosity, and a ton of good jazz band kids aren't really curious about jazz. (compare this to equivalent situations in...say...bluegrass.)
We can do much by getting together and PLAYING. Form a group, visit schools and churches, and set up a program that's actually somewhat fun. As a group, we could also stand to be more aware of a wider range of musical styles, and to experiment more with writing. Reasons 5 and 6 for our lack of popularity may be creative stagnation, and a failure to consider the average listener.
Allen Cole
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The Clarinet BBoard
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