 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-03-15 22:17
Hello fellow board members, this is my first post. I'm a 9th grade highschooler, I take lessons (from Rob Ercalano), I made 12th chair in both all state and all county. I know 21 scales (12 major 3 natural minor 3 harmonic minor 3 melodic minor). I can tounge even stacato 16ths at about quarter=90. My point in posting this is to ask if competatively I'm behind or right on track. I currently practice about 2 hours a day but have the endurance for 6. I'll be auditioning for college in only 3 years and like every other auditioned I want to make it. So if any professionals could give suggestions to what I need to learn to be more than ready it would be appreciated=)
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2011-03-15 23:36
You are well ahead of almost every ninth grader I've taught--and I have taught 11th and 12th graders who are nowhere near that level.
How is your music theory? Most music programs here in Canada require you to know all your rudiments, and some recommend basic harmony. Strong piano skills would help you a lot too, depending on how well you play, you might be exempted from a keyboard proficiency course. A couple of my students who entered university this past September for music got exempted from that course because their keyboard skills were strong enough. I recommend at least mid-late intermediate piano skills.
Have you done any competitions or exams? Those can help too. Especially to help you catch up on learning the melodic and harmonic minor scales. Most programs expect you to know those.
You probably want to start, if you haven't already, creating a music resume.
Think about who you might want for you to complete your recommendation letters and referral forms.
Good luck on your journey!
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-03-16 00:25
You seem to be doing all right, though keep in mind that music isn't a race. Don't neglect exploring different angles of musicality, playing by ear, improvising, writing. Technical ability is only a portion of music.
Competitions and exams can be an ok benchmark or goal, but I wouldn't put too much weight on them. The real fun of music begins when you do things that aren't easily prescribed on a list of "things to do."
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-03-16 00:36
Sounds like you're doing just fine for you age. Just keep up the interest. Check out my website, I have a lot of information on it. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-03-16 00:40
My music theory is admitngly less than then it probably should be, Luckily I will be taking a class on it next semester. As for piano I know where the notes are...that's about it. If you count solo and ensemble as an exam I have done that for 4 years and received superior.I made a resume this fall, for a music summer camp at FSU. Oh and my teacher started teaching me jazz clarinet this year, I like alot of people am very very bad at improvisingx]
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-03-16 00:55
Hello mr. Palanker! I actualy have already been to your website, I like the formality of it and found the articles helpful:) the one about chasing your dreams was actually part of why I made this post.
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2011-03-16 00:58
Then get working on your piano skills with a really good teacher! Finding a good piano teacher will probably cost somewhat less than your clarinet lessons might be, especially since there are so many piano teachers.
While EEBaum and others probably disagree, I largely think the exams are helpful, they minimize the gaps in musical skills that students who don't do exams often develop. Students get familiarized with the level of sight-reading required, ear training (especially since there is often an ear portion with those auditions and I know there are required ear training courses). I resisted doing the exams when I first started taking lessons, but when I started taking them in my mid-twenties, I feel I have become a much better musician. (I have completed almost a dozen exams with the RCM between clarinet, piano, and theory) You get familiar with the studies that you could choose from well before you need them...
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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Author: kimber
Date: 2011-03-16 01:05
Remembering back on those entering college days...I had wished I had more performance experience...not band concerts, but more solo work. Not necessarily just solo & ensemble, but that is a start. You will want to improve your stage presence and solo-manship confidence. Look for opportunities to play those solo pieces for other audiences (church, school/band recitals, volunteer to give a concert at a nursing home or other community venue, etc) Think of the American Idol contestants...those that have presence and confidence stand out so much better than those who haven't mastered it yet, even if the performance is less than perfect.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-03-16 03:01
I don't have a problem with exams, if treated as clariniano suggests, as benchmarks to check your technique against. I would caution, though, against using exams as some sort of checklist for overall playing. As long as you realize that the exam is testing only certain aspects (those aspects that are easily quantifiable) and that there are other aspects that deserve equal, if not more, attention, then have at it!
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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