 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2015-01-26 03:16
Hello!
So I graduated from USF in 2012 and have since been teaching music. (I'm doing Prek-5th grade now. Best job ever in my opinion). However I have noticed my playing has dropped off a lot and I have found it is because I don't know what to play anymore.
I don't have a recital coming up to prepare for and truthfully nowhere to even play except my house.
So I guess I'm curious on what others do. Play etudes and scales forever? Learn new solos and never get to play with with a piano? Play unaccompanied works?
I don't think I'm the only one in this boat as most of the people I graduated with that aren't in a performing position have stopped playing or play very little.
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Author: derf5585
Date: 2015-01-26 03:47
I see you are from Dallas
Dallas Wind Symphony
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Wind_Symphony
Richardson Community Band
http://www.richardsoncommunityband.org/joinTheBand.html
New Horizons Band
from
http://www.nhbdallas.org/
fsbsde@yahoo.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2015-01-26 03:51
Bach Cello Suite on Bass. (or Soprano, who cares) Transpose to all twelve keys. I'm not even close to sounding halfway good.
Or try to rearrange something into something new. (just for fun I transformed a part of the Well-tempered Clavier into 12/8)
And join a concert band. Your teaching might benefit from it as well...
--
Ben
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-01-26 04:16
I like the above ensemble suggestions. But if your instrument is 'in your blood,' you WILL make time to play, even if it is just to entertain your parakeet.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2015-01-26 04:29
Get a parakeet. Got it.
I tried one concert band in the area. Honestly the organization of it was so bad I couldn't take it anymore. I plan on trying a couple others though as there are a million of them in the area.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2015-01-26 04:37
DNBoone,
Keeping up the motivation to practice with no goal in mind is tough. You can either challenge yourself to achieve whatever personal landmark (e.g. going through all JeanJean etudes), organize your own recital, even if it is only for your friends, or find people with whom to play. It doesn't need to be a wind ensemble, maybe a woodwind quintet, a trio?
When I moved to Boston, I enrolled in a chamber music class. Basically I auditioned in front of a coach and she formed a group for me. It ended up being one of the most rewarding experience (Brahms Trio) and one thing led to another and I now play more than ever. Maybe a local conservatory or university as this kind of adult ed program?
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-01-26 04:39
Derf gave you some great ideas with local community bands. I was a professional musician for 40 earning my living playing, contracting, and publishing. I had to retire from the business for health reasons, but I still could play and wanted to. Problem is, I had spent my entire life practicing for something, some gig, some performance. Just practicing long tones, scales, arpeggios, etc. is meaningless without a band to play in. Find some local ensembles to play in, and you once again have a reason to practice. It may not be at the same level as college, but there are many good musicians in these groups. It gives you a reason to keep your chops up.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2015-01-26 04:57
I agree with the idea of joining a local community group. Consider doing so on something other than your primary instrument? Or would that be counterproductive in some way?
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2015-01-26 05:33
I do plenty outside of my primary instrument I promise! I play violin, guitar, and piano quite regularly. Primarily because they are better suited to playing and singing at the same time at my job.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2015-01-26 05:39
Record yourself. I do this as part of my arranging business, but it is also for my own great enjoyment. I use an inexpensive Zoom digital recorder which allows recording up to four parts while listening to those you have already recorded (more parts are possible if you combine parts). So, I arrange a clarinet ensemble piece and record it. I do this when I am between performances or when the music being played doesn't need lots of practicing. It keeps me focused and interested. Pick something challenging and you have a fun project to enjoy or even share.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2015-01-26 06:01
Start your own youtube channel?
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
Post Edited (2015-01-26 06:01)
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Author: MSK
Date: 2015-01-26 06:20
In addition to playing with a community orchestra, I plays solos with piano or organ accompaniment as well as duets with a talented flutist quite a bit at church.
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2015-01-26 08:58
Yes tylerleecutts. I should have put that sorry. Although I'm in Dallas now.
Post Edited (2015-01-26 08:59)
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-01-26 09:00
That's crazy! I'm doing my undergrad there now with Professor Moorhead. Love it here.
Join a community band if you can!!
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2015-01-26 09:02
I'm looking into it. I studied with Moorhead for two years and switched to Falwell when he started teaching there as I am a bass clarinetist. Good luck! Take Dr. Weidrichs conducting class if you can. Best class offered in the entire school.
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2015-01-27 17:11
Going back to original query, I suggest a multi-facetted approach:
1) Spend some time each practice session on the technical basis. Focus on it as a means to an end, not as something to be endured - really hear what your tone is like, what your intonation is like, feel how the breath is working etc.
2) Pick a piece or two that you have always wanted to learn and never have for whatever reason - preferably something that will stretch you a bit- and work at that.
3) Find some kind of ensemble to play in. When you get to know a few people there you will doubtless get asked to other things.
4) Consider organising some kind of event of your own - if you are teaching youngsters could they do their choral/percussion whatever and then you play something? Are there area schools events that you could get involved in?
5) Are there adult summer school events that you would like to attend? If so this might give you a chance to play and get feedback on the pieces you have worked on under 2
Just a few ideas. Most of all have fun and enjoy the instrument.
Vanessa.
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2015-01-27 19:47
I can understand a lull in activity having recently graduated and a relatively new job. It seems to take a several years to plug-in to a community to get a feel of the opportunities and costs (e.g. travel, bad management) you encounter.
I understand you play Bass but I'm guessing you play Bb as well. Flexibility helps a whole lot and if a group needs either instrument, to be able to fill the part helps. I've found that reading (and transposing) cello and bassoon parts very useful to get my foot in the door, as well as arranging. I understand church is a big thing in Dallas, and often churches add instruments especially Christmas and Easter. I've also noticed the obvious issues of showing up when needed, presenting well and in tune, being constructive to the group are not always done by good players, and that could be an opportunity for you.
For me, one interesting part of coming back to playing after a long hiatus is that the music picks me. Many times I hear something on the radio, and the music (e.g. Bach Cello suites, Block's Prayer, etc.) says to me, "Play me!" and I download the music (transpose/arrange when necessary) and play - often only a few months or weeks later, an opportunity comes to use that piece!
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2015-01-28 01:14
You might try putting an ad in Craigslist (Community->Musicians) seeking folks who might want to play w. you. Ditto, college Music Dept. bulletin boards.
Cheap piano accompaniment for much of the standard repertoire is in http://www.smartmusic.com/ though it's a lot more fun to play with other people.
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Author: strBean
Date: 2015-01-28 01:37
I didn't see JAMMING as one of the suggestions. How are your chops for improvising to a tune you've never played before, with your eyes closed?
When I don't have someone else to play with, I like to play along with recorded jazz.
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