 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: moltopiccolo
Date: 2007-04-13 22:06
Hi everyone,
I recently finished my MM in flute performance and have always been working towards an orchestral career, but I've recently been considering shifting my focus to pit orchestras. I've played in a few musicals and have really enjoyed them, but had never really considered pursuing it as a career before now.
I guess I'm just looking for some general advice on how to get started - which instruments should I learn first? I'm assuming Clarinet and Sax would be smart since I'm primarily a flute/piccolo player. How do I go about learning how to shop for these instruments and, if I'm trying to pursue this as a career, do they need to be top-of-the-line instruments?
I've also recently moved away from Boston, but now I'm really missing it and thinking of going back. Is anyone familiar with the career prospects in this area? Thanks so much in advance.
~Jess
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Author: Erik713
Date: 2007-04-14 05:03
Clarinet and alto are usually good doubles to know. I'd also recommend oboe. There are good oboe/flute books out there, but not many players. Even if you can play fairly well on oboe, it'll put you out in front of the pack.
I'd go for very good secondary instruments. You could probably make a student flute sound excellent, but with doubles, you'll probably need all the help you can get! I don't mean to diminish your playing. I guess that's more of my personal experience -- I went with the best instruments I could afford for my doubles, and I'm glad I did. It's about the sound you get as much as it is about your technical ability.
If you want to know more about how to shop for the instruments, your best bet is to browse forums such as these. The clarinet forum here is absolutely top notch, but you'll find good info on all of the forums here. Sax On The Web is a great forum for saxophones. It's linked from the main forum page here.
Good luck, Jess! The knowledge and experience base here is excellent!! Pick these peoples' brains all you can!
~~~~~~~
~Woodwind doubler - sop./alto/tenor saxes, clarinet, oboe, English horn, flute/picc.
~Woodwind Teacher
Post Edited (2007-04-14 05:03)
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Author: moltopiccolo
Date: 2007-04-14 16:03
Thanks, Erik, you raise a very valid point about the quality of the instruments. Isn't it ironic that I already own a top-of-the-line flute, and that's the one I could probably get away with on a lesser instrument?!
I've been doing a bit of research on the other instruments, though, and I'm finding that they are usually much less expensive than flutes (I wish someone had told me that when I was choosing my instrument to begin with!).
It's also good to know that there are not many flute/oboe doublers out there. I can't say I'm surprised; it's ridiculously difficult to switch from using all of your air with a loose emboucure to practically none of it with a tight one. Fortunately, I've already learned to play a bit of oboe, and I really like it. Thanks again!
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Author: Bret Pimentel
Date: 2007-04-15 00:18
Jess,
Someone with your flute skills would be likely to end up playing a lot of "Reed 1" books in pit situations. Reed 1 books are likely to also include specialty flutes like piccolo, alto flute, and various ethnic flutes, plus clarinet and the higher saxophones (like Erik mentioned). A great Reed 1 player is prepared to play lead clarinet stuff sometimes, and lead alto saxophone in a convincing jazz style.
Erik also mentioned oboe--I think you will find that oboe doesn't frequently appear in the same book as flute. Sometimes, yes, but not often.
I maintain a list of reed book instrumentations on my website. This might be helpful to you in getting an idea of what combinations of instruments you are likely to encounter:
http://bretpimentel.com/doubling/shows/
Good luck!
Bret
Post Edited (2007-11-20 10:44)
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Author: Erik713
Date: 2007-04-15 05:09
Jess --
I think the case is that there aren't that many oboe/anything doublers out there. Oboe just isn't a popular woodwind. But, keep that a secret. We wouldn't want people getting our work, would we?? I'm primarily a sax player who learned clarinet and flute to get pit work. This summer, I decided to take up oboe and English horn to make myself more marketable. So far, so good!!
As for price, yes -- flutes can be SO much more expensive!! I thought my Selmer Paris sax was expensive when I got it. Then I married a professional flutist. Her intermediate flute was twice as expensive as my pro saxophone. If you want to cry more, check out trumpets. You can get a silver Bach Strad. (popular pro horn) for a little more than $2k.
Brad, I guess I must have played some strangely orchestrated shows because the ones I've played oboe in have also called for flute. I guess more of the small pit shows that are being orchestrated these days might be calling for both because of the ever diminishing number of woodwind parts.
Brad's list is an EXCELLENT resource. It's one of my bookmarks.
~~~~~~~
~Woodwind doubler - sop./alto/tenor saxes, clarinet, oboe, English horn, flute/picc.
~Woodwind Teacher
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Author: moltopiccolo
Date: 2007-04-15 17:30
Erik, I guess it's lucky for you that your wife has an extra flute around! I'm finding the clarinet quite difficult, but then it's only been about 2 days. My biggest problem so far is the my right wrist gets really sore. I'm excited to keep learning, though.
Bret, yes, I found your page a few days ago - what an awesome thing to do! Thank you so much for having that available. I feel like I have a much better perspective on what I'm getting into now.
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Author: Erik713
Date: 2007-04-16 03:13
Jess --
Yes, I'm very lucky that I can use my wife's flute!! The clarinet certainly can present some wrist problems. I use the Ton Kooiman etude thumbrest -- http://www.tonkooiman.com/A%20start%20Etude%20pag.htm
It's a Godsend. I, too had wrist issues when I played clarinet for long periods of time. Now that I use the thumb rest, I haven't had one problem since! He also has a heavier duty version that is much more expensive.
~~~~~~~
~Woodwind doubler - sop./alto/tenor saxes, clarinet, oboe, English horn, flute/picc.
~Woodwind Teacher
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