Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-03 20:44
I'm still ramping up to what I hope is a regular routine of playing for a variety of churches, most of which I will have never visited before (unless they ask me back, which I hope does happen a few times). And I'm trying to figure out whether I should be routinely carrying more than 1 clarinet, and if so- what.
First, 20 yr ago I did this routine a few dozen times with a MIDI keyboard rig that filled the back of a conversion van- KX88 keyboard, synth rack modules, amps, speakers. So I was limited to where I could drive from western PA, or along our vacation paths to visit family in TX and FL. By contrast, I like the idea of traveling light with just (1?) clarinet, and travel by air no big deal.
But--- as a pro photographer I decided a long time ago there would be no excuse for allowing 1 equipment malfunction to shut down a shoot. So I always take 2 cameras, multiple flashes, and enough lenses that it would take multiple failures to be a problem. I live in fear of a memory card malfunction losing images before I get them copied to a computer, but that's no different than the risk years ago of defective film or a lab flub.
So, it would seem reasonable to be prepared with a backup clarinet in case something breaks that's beyond what I might be prepared to repair quickly in the field, to avoid having to cancel a whole concert. I know lots of you have multiple clarinets anyway- do you routinely carry a 2nd? Is it identical to #1, or would you be miffed to have to play it? My 2nd camera is same make/model as my primary.
Anybody ever get caught without a working horn? How bad was it? Horror stories, anyone?
I would also maybe like to take along an A clarinet to be able to play along extemporaneously on hymns and congregational songs in "bad" keys. Then I'm carrying another horn for that reason- and it can't reasonably be my backup (unless I create a 2nd set of backing tracks shifted down 1/2 step, then they would sound weird to me). And what about having a C clarinet for easier sight reading when, perhaps, somebody asks if I'd like to join in on the choir's special? I could make a case for taking 2 Bb's, an A, and a C to a big event. Still not as much trouble as my old keyboard setup, but nearly as ridiculous.
I am still at the thinking stage, but one day soon I expect to have to make some real choices.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
