 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: garyeestra
Date: 2010-01-01 12:34
My clarinet broke about 3 1/2 months ago and I didn't have the money until now to get it fixed. I want to join my college's concert band but auditioning is required and its on next monday. I've been practicing for the past week or so but I feel so discouraged. Most of my technique is still present but I can't hit the high notes anymore. I used to be able to play up to high F but now I can barely hit high C. My stacattos sound terrible, normal tonguing sounds muddy. I'm also having great difficulty with my dynamics.
I've been using 5's (vandoren) but switched to 4.5s (they're the only ones I have available) for now. The requirements for the auditioning are scales (up to 3 sharps/3flats), a 1-2 minute prepared piece, and sight reading.
The scales are no problem except for my Eb scale (I might just play it a lower octave). For the prepared piece I'm going to play a portion of Mozart's clarinet concerto... I got the technique but again my tonguing/intonation sounds terrible. If I were to use lower-numbered reeds my intonation might improve but my high notes may further suffer(I was never able to play above high C until I moved to 4s). As for the sight reading part I have no idea since I have never auditioned before.
I really don't want to audition just to embarrass myself but I don't want to simply give up... playing this instrument means a lot to me. I don't know what to do... perhaps I should tell them that I wasn't able to practice until recently and that I used to be way better (I mostly played 1st clarinet in highschool band because the original 1st chair would always need to cover the oboe part) back then... but really thats just pathetic.
This is frustrating.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2010-01-01 13:52
The difficulty with articulation sounds like reeds that are too hard.
You say that you were never able to play past C6 until you started playing #4 reeds. That, to me, is a problem with embouchure/voicing.
I regularly play to C7 with Vandoren #3 blue box reeds.
You don't say whether you are trying for one of the higher chairs in the band, so I'd recommend you back off on the reed strength and concentrate on playing cleanly. There's always room in the second and third sections, and you usually don't need stratospheric high chops there.
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-01-01 14:50
Explain your situation to the band director and anyone else who is at your audition. Don't give the reasons or the details (such as high note problems). Just say you had a layoff. Then ask whether you can re-audition in a month, after you've gotten back in shape.
Then practice like crazy. It comes back really quickly.
Also, if this happens again, the band probably has some spare clarinets for just this situation. If not, the clarinet teacher will certainly be able to find you something to play. A Vito or a Bundy is all you need.
Ken Shaw
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Author: salzo
Date: 2010-01-04 00:03
I suggest you stop "hitting" things when you play the clarinet. You want to hit things, join a hockey team.
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