Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-05-22 06:33
The most important things in playing clarinet in marching band:
1. Step in time and stay in formation.
2. Have good posture.
3. Make sure everyone is playing.
4. Make sure that you are doing all the required special moves.
5. Dodge any flags that come your way.
Notice that I didn't mention anything about playing the clarinet. . .
You can have a fabulous section in symphonic band, but there is a fine line between a bad marching clarinet section and a good clarinet section. . The problem with marching clarinets (as you may know), is that the clarinet faces DOWN, and 90% of the sound is lost to most people, even from the sideline. Whereas, a trumpet player doesn't have to work very hard to get a loud sound. Also, the volume you may use to run through a piece inside is usually right, but you have to play "blastissimo" to get the sound to get anywhere on the field. Which in turn will make you go flat. Because of this, a fine clarinet section can sound mediocre or almost inaudible on the marching field, but tear-jerking on stage. Try not to spread your sound out by playing too loud. This can be tempting in marching band, but this habit of sound production is hard to break for concert music for some players.
"Never play outside of your best sound."
Make no mistake, clarinet sections CAN be heard on the field. That is, when everyone else drops out.
Try to improve your section's playing for the sake of symphony band, not marching band. Focus on the VISUAL aspects of playing for marching band, because its only 50% playing anyways.
What would really help is having a "Section Song" to play in games, pep rallies, etc. You could have the first one be just your section, or be you and the saxes, flutes, etc. Playing as a group in a small setting can help the players see what they need to do to pull their weight. And, this will help them have better confidence and morale in the section.
Also, good maintenance habits are CRUCIAL to go over in marching band as well as new members, because many players tend to forsake their instruments in marching band more than symphonic
*Disclaimer*- I played clarinet in a section of 11 out of 40 winds. Even in a 1/4 of the band, we still could barely be heard. These comments are based on my personal experience.
Post Edited (2014-05-26 07:26)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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