Today, our music teacher was giving out sheets to those who would be interested in taking part in the performing arts evening. I didn't take one as I dont trust myself at the moment to perform, but also as I don't want to do a solo.

Should I take the oppurtunity to perform? Or forget it?

You can't do a solo. The act has to consist of two or more pupils

I think this is probably the best way to test it - would you regret not doing it? If the answer's yes, then do it; if the answer's no, keep thinking

Does it have to be a solo? Can you not do something in small ensembles? Find out more about it and at least try a couple of practice sessions before making a decision. When do you have to let them know by?

We weren't told this today. It looks like I wont be doing it anyway, no need to worry.

Why won't you be doing it?

At the moment, I have no one to do my GCSE ensemble with, let alone find someone to duet with for this concert.

Do your ensemble with the Windband

Are you the only one without someone to work with? Perhaps approaching someone to do a duet might lead to you having someone to do the GCSE ensemble with? You have to let people know you are willing to work with them.

No one else in my class plays the clarinet otherwise, I would have done.

Why can't you duet with a Sax or a Flute surely it doesn't have to be another Clarinet?

I dont know, I have always done it with another clarinetist, and the teacher supplys us with a choice of music.

Is there anyone in the school you could approach to play a clarinet duet with? One of my best friendships started out like that. You never know.

Off the top of my head there are abour 6 people you could do a clarinet duet with. Or you could ask you clarinet teacher to do a duet with you and record it during your lesson

My daughter has become friends with a girl at band because they both play drums (not duets)

There is a book Side by Side which is for Flute and Clarinet and there's bound to be similar for Sax and Clarinet. Ask around someone else might be struggling or play a duet with a younger/beginner clarinet. At least it will show people you are willing to give it a go.

Does it have to be another instrument? Could you accompany a vocalist?

In terms of acting, some people enjoy it and others don't, and there's plenty more to do if you are subject to the latter.

What you on about Bob? Trying to hijack a thread to prove you can do it???

I arent good enough for that

Accompanying is an idea though. I see that you play a little keyboard - perhaps you could learn a simple accompianment and have that recorded as your ensemble? Clarinet pieces that come to mind are the lefevre sonatas and 'Summer' from the Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite.

Ben, please dont change the subject, this thread is about performing arts evening.




I am playing summer at the moment but am not yet fluent at it.

Soph if there are other clarinet players then Ben's not changing the subject. It might be a good idea to play a duet with your teacher, sometimes my daughter's do that.

My clarinet teacher wont be there

Get her to record something in the lesson and play with the backing track. My daughter's flute teacher lent her a book called Duets for one, it wasn't too difficult and she really enjoyed playing it. there will be one for Clarinet.

Soph, have you seen the "Session Time" series of books by Peter Wastall? They can be used to combine all woodwind, some brass and even some strings I think, into duets, trios, or more. I recall them being very versatile and hence rather overused for concerts when I was at school

PM me if you want a list of the pieces - I have the flute version of the original book and I'm sure the sax, clarinet and oboe versions have exactly the same pieces in, just arranged in the correct key / register etc so that they can be combined according to the available instruments.

Hazel

We have the Clarinet and Oboe versions they are the same and there is a CD with the Piano part on it.

Cor! - CDs hadn't been invented when I got my book

Hazel

I have been practising Summer in my lesson today, turns out I can play it a little better than I thought

I have a piece, someone to play it with but I dont know if I can do it.

I have found out that some people in my year who I really don't get on with are going to be doing it and I really arent sure if I can do it

Help ... please?

Ingnore them and concentrate on your music. Just do it!!

Just had some good news, we just spoke to my Uncle Jeff in Plymouth and he has to come and get some things from us, and we told him about this concert and he said he will try and come up for it

That should be good!

I hope so, I am feeling really unsure about doing it though at the minute

I had better get my accompaniment up to scratch then

Well I have to be able to play the piece and it isnt looking to hopeful at the minute.

Practisin together wouldnt be a bad idea either...

It would be a very good idea. That way you all know what you are doing and you'll be fine! Is it Summer from the Victorian Kitchen Garden?

Well that is what I attempt to play anyway.

I'm sure you'll be fine!! Thats a lovely piece, I just keep on playing it over and over again... You'll have fun!

I dont know... Not looking forward to it. I just want my Uncle to watch if he can make it, as he has never seen me play before.

Sadly it's a fact of life that we all have to do things with people we don't like. You just have to accept that and get on doing things or else you'll not be able to do a lot of things.

But yeah, obviously you want to be performing on this evening or else you wouldn't be asking about whether you should.
Just go do lots of practise for it instead of reading this thread and hanging around on the forums! If you're that worried, practise more.

The absolute worst that can happen is something that goes wrong and that's honestly not the end of the world. Your head doesn't fall off, it doesn't mean you can never play again, it just means something went wrong.
I burst into tears on stage in my year 11 leavers concert in the middle of singing. I'm still here, I haven't given up on music and captivate.me can tell you I really don't have that much confidence in myself.

In a thread the other day you were talking about taking A level music. I'm not sure what exam board you're on but I know the one I'm with I have to do a 20 minute recital to an audience. You have to get used to performing in front of people and it's not always going to be people you like, you can't be selective. The more you do it the easier it'll get.

Soph I'd second that, but will qualify it with an understanding of what it is to have a low self-esteem. I for one am prepared to help and offer advice, but again through the "university of hard knocks" have learnt that after a while this can really annoy people and I don't want to see you hurt. PM me rather than post on a pblic thread if you would like similar advice in the future. Its for your own good.

Jo

I am new, so I don't want to feel I'm butting in because I don't know anyone well enough yet, but here goes...
Soph15, be yourself when you go on stage (or in front of people), smile at the audience (even if it's just your friends!), adjust the stand or whatever, tune up and take a few deep breaths before you play. Try it in front of a few people you know first if it makes things easier.
'Summer' is a gorgeous piece, and I think you'll find that you will be more than capable of playing it on the night. Even if it does go wrong, so what?!? I think it's a confidence issue really, and I know what it is like to be unconfident, because I used to be like that and doubted myself, but I am much better now! Music should be an enjoyable thing to do, and yes, sometimes there are days when you think 'why do I bother?' but you stick at it because you love it really!!! Be happy, be confident, and good luck!

Well said, but our soph is a born worrier! I've met people like you when I was your age and they normally pull something sensational out of the bag. Enjoy it soph and revel in the praise afterwards.

Thanks... this is great advice, no matter how worried I am, I am going to try my best

Ben, my lesson is at 11.10am tomorrow... you will have to let me know

It is definite my Uncle is definitely going to be watching.

Then go for it and do him proud.

I am going to providing we can get the piece practised up in time.

That's great that your uncle's coming! Remember all the good advice and support that everyone has given you, and make sure you do your very best!!! You'll be absolutely fine, and treat yourself to something nice afterwards for all your efforts! (May I ask when it is?)

Good luck!