That sounds like a plan Dawn

It's way too out of tune to use on any of mine - I can't remember ever using it.

Take care with the middle finger Eb, it's out of tune and stuffy on at least 1 of my clarinets, I'd only use it in a really fast passage.

Once you've got your C#/G# key looked at it is worth spending some effort practicing getting trills using it fast and even, they seem to occur surprisingly often! Personally I often avoid using the upper 2 RH trill keys if there is a good LH alternative - due to tiny hands and needing a low thumb rest position my hand has to move quite a long way from it's normal position to use the keys.

Thanks, middle finger Eb is ok on mine. My long Bb is "stuffy" though so I do know what you mean but sometimes it just has to be used.

There's a passage on Clarinet 1 for Fiddle faddle ( a Leroy Anderson I think though could be VERY wrong on that )

Where there's no alternative but to use the side trill keys (lower 2 though) Can't remember exact sequence of notes but includes from high Bb to C an Db and back again in a different order I think with some gs thrown in to confuse matters


I am learning some alternative trills and fingerings for the top notes through playing 1st

Back to 2nd next week though as all firsts are back. One week rehearsal before concert and I've not played 2nd part for a month or more. Ooops... I'm sure I'll be fine though

Ooo I hope I can join in !

I'm working on my grade 8 stuff justnow... well I will be when my exams are finished at least! Got the Webber Air and Variations sorted, now its just the Spohr middle section I need to work on... it's very fast so I'm a bit worried about that bit. I would really love to be able to improve my technical stuff on clarinet so I am hoping that this piece will allow me to do that as I always choose pieces which I can easily convey an emotion (which I feel is covered in the Webber: I that piece!!!)

Oh I am thinking about getting a new ligature (sp?); what sort of difference would a ligature make to my tone? Would it be drastic or just a slight change? And what ones would people reccommend? (Hmm sorry about all of the questions, I am really thinking of buying one as mine is just the standard one which came with the clarinet! )

You all seem to be having fun in here.
Maybe I'll be grown up enough to join you one day.

I find middle finger Eb is OK on most Buffets. It's certainly OK on my instrument.



Welcome to the thread Clariano!

A different ligature can make a significant difference to your sound. If you tell me what sort of sound you're after, I'll give you some recommendations : but the best thing to do is see if you can try out lots of different ligatures.



Oh join in sbhoa, I've read your clari advice and been impressed!

I must have been well taught.
Do I count as intermediate/advanced?
Was discussing today how many things I actually had lined up to do after my exam....

You've left the beginner stage far, far behind sbhoa

That's scary... I demand a second opinion.....I might settle for one 'far', two sounds like hard work!

At least you have the sense to line them up for after the exam.....

I'm working on a "must buy" music list of more advanced repertoire for clarinet as well as some lovely things for fun to buy after July.

I'm hoping peole will be generous with the birthday money (I must be getting old because most people usually give me money) I usually amass a few quid Maybe £50-60 if I'm luck (and a few gifts from my hubby/kids)

I'm taking ideas from the old thread "things to play before you die" and adding a few of my own from the things Ilike on my CDs. I'm also working out what's available for download too.

Can you perform from down loaded music - assuming it's in public domain there's no copyrights are there?

I may be back for help on whittling down the list to a more managable level in the meantime I have a few concertos on there by Weber, Crussell and (recent addition - Krommer) The Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite, The Schumann Fantasy pieces, Rachmaninovff' s Vocalise, Saen Sean sonata (but have now downloaded that), The Brahms sonatas (have downloaded them too), Mozart Quintet (have downloaded an A clarinet part but not Bb or piano accompaniment), Finzi - 5 Bagatelles, Baermann's adagio for Clarinet and Strings, Scaramouche suilte and.... just for fun "We're walking in the air"

The thing is the more I listen to my CD, the more I want to be able to play and I can't figure out which are my absolute favourites the mind boggles

Feel free to confuse me even more with any suggestions you may have for what you think i'll like and what is reasonably managable. (in time )

sboha clariano

Feel free to gush clari in here, ask for advice, anything really

This week I have mostly been getting into Jazz

At the moment I am trying to develop who I am as a Clarinettist and I'm starting to leave traditionally classical music behind, am edging more towards Jazz and (what I call) contemporary classical. I used to think that wasn't much of a Jazz Clarinettist but that was more to do with my very strict old teacher than anything, Jazz I have actually found out suits me and my style perfectly!

While gaining more about who I think I am as a Clarinettist, I'm now looking at were I want to go in the future, music is for more than me to enjoy - I love performing, probably because I'm a show off lol!

Started composing more myself for clarinet too.

Nicia

I have just seemed to click back with my clari over the last week or so. After a 20 odd year gap after doing Grade 8 I started back playing at the beginning of the year. 1st few months were painfully slow then at my last lesson my teacher commented on how quickly I am picking things up now. The info on clari playing was still in my brain it was just a matter of trying to retrieve from the mass of rubbish I've picked up since I left off

I've just ordered a schumann book and the lefevre 5 sonatas so looking forward to those turning up soon.

I've also gone mad with my Demnitz book. I was set 2 exercises at my last lesson but I've found another few that I've been practising too so my teach has got 6 to listen to next lesson.

I want to try a re-take of Grade 5 this year hopefully then see how I get on from there.

I am in love with my clari at the mo as it's doing exactly what I'm telling it do

Get ready for the fall..................

Lois

Cool!

Is that jazz style, or jazz with all the bells and whistles (with improvisation and everything)?



Sounds good : looking forward to hearing you at Stalybridge

Full bells and whistles Bought a book about improvisation for Clarinet and also joining a small jazz group next week so should get there.

As Viola is picking up (well gd. 1 this summer) I want that to be my classical instrument!

Was thinking about buying a sax and playing jazz on that and then realised that I could just as easily play jazz and contemporary on clarinet! Obviously I've a lot to learn as I was never taught any jazz

Not quite made the transition over and will always play classical music on clarinet but not as much, not to mention most pupils want to learn classical.

Nicia

Wonderful Nicia! Have fun, and give me a shout if you want any assistance.

There's some really good 'jazz style' pieces out there too. I did a jazz suite by Laurie Holloway last year in a couple of recitals, and do have a look at the last movement of the Malcolm Arnold Concerto no.2 (Pre-Goodman Rag). It's not at all easy, but it's really good fun, and I suspect you'd be fine with it Nicia.

Heard Emma Johnson play this absolutely beautifully last night

*thinks he might have a look at it for a future recital *

Can I join the thread?

I don't think I'm still a beginner. Nowhere near Advanced, but possibly coming up to Intermediate? (Grade 5 next term.) Although reading all your posts, everyone sounds really far ahead of me...

I've recently been playing from a 'Play Latin' book, and Mozart's Divertimento no. 2. And this morning I got a new book 'Concert Repertoire' (ed. Harris/Johnson). Looking forward to my next lesson...

to the thread, and in the eyes of the AB, grade 4/5 is 'intermediate'.

'Concert Repertoire' has a lot of worthwhile stuff in it, and I'm sure you'll enjoy playing the music there

Oohh that's really cool.... Not really into Arnold stuff in the main but I do really like that one Sounds fun.



Oooh (again) <Gets jealous... > I think I need to see more live professional clarinettists.... Was is expensive??? <Wonder's if she's performing anywhere near here any time soon hmmmm.... Google search coming up...!>

Future recital: November? I'd love to see it played. Hearing's one thing but seeing is another kettle of fish altogether as you can see what the fingers are doing


Are the pieces in this book slightly simplified transcriptions of the famous works?? Saw it on ebay when I was looking the other week. Looked like it had some decent stuff in it but I thought I should probably look at the proper transcriptions myself.

Have fun with it and let us know how you get on

[quote name='barry-clari' post='830320' date='May 27 2009, 09:19 AM']
[quote name='DawnF' post='830317' date='May 27 2009, 09:14 AM']

And to all.....
Anyone ever played the Darius Milhaud scaramouche suite?

Just been listening to Emma Johnson play it and it sounds well cool and Soooo much fun but probably a real headache to perfect. Think the 1st and last movement would be above me but the 2nd movement sounded possible and there's always hope that in the future I could play it all ..... Or am I dreaming?
[/quote]

This is probably better known in its saxophone version. It's not as difficult as it sounds Dawn, and I think you could probably manage it with work.
[/quote]


[quote name='Appassionata' post='830329' date='May 27 2009, 09:39 AM']
I played the 2nd and 3rd movements for grade 8 sax. I really like it and although the 1st and 3rd movements are fast, it's based on scales, arps, chromatics, dominant 7ths etc and it's not too bad to get your fingers round.
[/quote]

Heard Emma Johnson play this absolutely beautifully last night

*thinks he might have a look at it for a future recital *
[/quote]

Oooh (again) <Gets jealous... > I think I need to see more live professional clarinettists.... Was is expensive??? <Wonder's if she's performing anywhere near here any time soon hmmmm.... Google search coming up...!>

Future recital: November? I'd love to see it played. Hearing's one thing but seeing is another kettle of fish altogether as you can see what the fingers are doing

[/quote]

Hope I've done the quotes here OK...

I've got four or five pieces on the boil for November, I've just got to pick a programme.

I really would like to get Arnold no. 2 to a concert standard, and I'd also like to have a go at the Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie sometime, especially after hearing Emma Johnson playing it last night : the same gig has persuaded me to dig out the Bernstein sonata again. I've also got John Dankworth's Suite for Emma ready for the July recital in Fleet, I'm still keeping James Rae's Southwold Sonatina ticking over, and I've resurrected the good old Weber concertino...

I haven't played Scaramouche for years and years, but I might be persuaded to dust it off...



(edit : I comprehensively messed up the quotes )

Thankyou will do

Must have a look Really like Malcolm Arnold so must buy the Concerto!

This thread is making me spend money!!

I never did get my new mouthpiece, should go to music shop soon also eyeing up some Bakun goodies at the moment too maybe put on my Christmas list

I'm working on my grade 8 pieces for the exam this term. I'm doing the Webber Air and Variations too and I think it's such a lovely piece. My mum agrees and recorded me playing it (not the best version around!) and even though I'm a bit out of tune and I wasn't very good at playing it when it was recorded it, she loves the piece so much that she plays it on her laptop all of the time!

My teacher gave me the Spohr to try out, but I prefered the Devienne piece in that list so I'm playing that instead.

When I've done my exam I'd like to learn the rest of Mozart's clarinet concerto (mentioned earlier on this thread I think). Having done the adagio for my grade 8 exam and thought it was the best piece in the world I'd love to be able to play the whole concerto!

I much prefer Arnold no. 2 over Arnold no. 1. No. 1 is an acquired taste, I find, and I'm not altogether sure I've acquired it! No. 2, different kettle of fish, it's great!



The Mozart is one of those rites of passage that most/all clari players get to at some time. It's not too bad learning all the notes, but getting all the nuances takes time, and you can discover new things about it with every playing.

Edit: BC got there before me...

In the main, it's not too difficult at a steady speed. Doing it at speed is a slightly different matter...

BC : Going to practise the concertino in a bit. Working at Var 2 at the moment and at improving Var 1. Going to be a long job to get it fluent upt to speed though.... According to the notes that accompany my copy after about 3 years I" "might" be able to get it to the top speed of 112 suitable for a top-class virtuoso..." Hmm maybe not....

That sounds like you're doing well so far.

I'm umm-ing and aah-ing about whether to put this in the York recital or not. I'm looking for around about 20-25 minutes of music, to allow plenty of space for bohemian, mwl1 and Miss Ross to put their items in...

I'd love to hear it but then I like to see music I know performed. Gives me something to strive for but hearing music I don't know can inspire me to try something new. Do keep me nformed about details for November. I really want to be there. What's the date again?

The date is 14th November, and it's an afternoon concert, and we'll be retiring to a restaurant/bar afterwards.

I'll let you know what I'm playing as soon as I've decided. I'll need to decide by mid-late July, as I need to send the piano parts off to mwl1 to practice.

Sounding better and better... How much of an audience do you need? I could maybe rustle up one or two including the girls who played clari 3 in york.... Or possibly put out a bit of local publicity if required. Just let me know. Popping of to practise now.

As much audience as we can get Dawn! Thanks for the offer : I will probably take you up on that.

Enjoy your practice session!

I'm back!! With worn out lip Lots of hard work tonight on Var 2, lento, allegro and subsequent solo sections up to the silly 9 and 10 runs Better save them for another day.

Barry, just let me know details of costs etc and what you need me to do nearer the time. I'll do what I can

You're a star, as always Dawn, thanks so much!

I'll email you a poster when I've designed it

Has anyone played the Gaubert "Fantaisie"? My son really fancies trying it, but the music costs £26! I've promised to buy it for him as a post-exam treat, but am wondering how difficult it is as it's on the LRSM list.

Aaah No worries Barry You see a 2nd event in York would be well publicised at least!!

I don't know if the pieces are simplified or not. I have only heard one before - 'I got rhythm' by Gershwin. It has been transposed to an easier key (concert C) and I know the original for piano changed key signature in the middle (I think from Db to something else?). As to length, I don't know if they've cut it down or anything. For the other pieces I would have to ask my teacher.

but back on topic...

I'm in the process, as well as all the rest of the stuff I'm doing, of deciphering the 1st clarinet part of the Krommer concerto for 2 clarinets...which I'm enjoying very much!

Hi, sorry I've not been on very much lately: busy doing lots of revising! I may go into the woodwind shop next time I'm in town and see if they'll let me have a go of some of them. I'm not very good at describing sound but I'm really just looking to enhance what sound I have; quite a warm tone... maybe to make it sound 'richer', and definitely less bright on the higher notes! My mouthpiece is a B45 which was chosen against the B40 (- felt that was too 'bright' for what I wanted.) Any recommendations would be great: I know I haven't really described what I'm after very well though so no worries if there's no recommendations you can give me !

Might be worth looking at the products of companies like BG and Rovner Clariano. I think it's also well worth you looking at the Vandoren Optimum ligature, with its interchangeable plates.

Ooo interchangable plates... sounds interesting! Thank you for the recommendations, I will defnitely be going to the music shop next time I am in town !

I love my Vandoren Optimum.

Would be interesting to know if people think the vandoren optimum is worth the money! I like Rovners personally

Nicia

I wouldn't be without my Peter Spriggs Floating Rail Ligature. They are expensive, but I personally think it's worth it.

Not seen one of those... can i try it when you come to Stalybridge?

It was a very interesting looking ligature

Might have to do a bit of research...

Of course you can and sorry Barry, I forgot to let you try it when you came to visit, so you can have a try too *makes note to bring Rovner lig as well to cover loan period!*

Thanks Appassionata!

Or we could just to swaps.....

It's okay, but thanks, I have a vast array of ligatures! I can easily bring an extra one. Right, off to practice my flute piece now.

I've got a question which can probably be answered by advanced players. One of the pieces I'm playing for my exam (William Lloyd Webber Air and Variations) has a bit towards the end where there a few top G's. I'm finding them hard to get in tune and wondered if anyone has any tips on how to get a slightly more tuneful top G. For people who don't know the piece they come in pairs so the first one is quite short. I'm OK with G's that are longer. Has anyone else who has played this piece got any tips?

Don't know the piece but what fingering are you using? Some variations are more in tune than others and it seems to vary with the individual instrument. On mine I feel the equivalent fingering to long Bb but overblown is very useful but the top F fingering with the 2 fingers of the right hand too (and little finger Eb key) is more in tune. I understand that there are other variations though too.