So I'm back on 8notes after a long time of busy. The school year already started and to see that our last year's director was gone. So the new teacher then started by saying "This is not a band!" Pretty painful, isn't it? He said this without hearing us. Said that we're missing a couple of clarinets like an alto...or a contrabass...and so on. Says he wants a symphonic band, when we're a marching band. So then now we kicked some members of some instruments and into new ones, like from Flute to F. Horn. And so on. He wants a bassoon oboe and blah blah blah. So then I ask you, what clarinets should join this band and which should we stay away from?

It all depends on what kind of literature he is planning on playing. First and foremost, stay away from an alto clarinet at all costs! They are the most useless clarinets ever conceived, and its basically impossible to find a good one. I would venture to put someone on Eb because more than likely you'll need it. Of course bass clarinet and possible contrabass depending on the piece. Other that I wouldn't get too fancy w/ the instrumentation.

If you want to have the melody, I'd say try for E flat clarinet, and if you can get one, A flat. If not, go for bass/contra alto/contrabass clarinet for low stuff =]

Well, I tried an Alto Clarinet and HATED it! It always squeeked and was impossible to play with. That, I will NEVER play again! Ill really LOVE to have an Eb! But then the Director said thats always out of tune, unless if you got a good ear and I said i did, but didnt believe me. And I'll like to use the A or Contra, but the contrabass we have is the smaller kind and an A will be pretty cool, but we dont have one. Oh, and now I got another question...Im section leader for the clarinets and a clarinet asked for a 1st part so then I asked the teach if we got any and he said, "Just look for it! Can't you act like a section leader for once?!" That made me instantly freeze. One of the most rudest thing someone has ever told me in band, cuz I am very serious about it. After, me and a friend snapped at him, which was bad on my part. But he later shaked my hand in appology. What do you think about that? Grrr...
Whatever, back to subject. He wants a symphonic sound and also for marching so which will best fit for this? And PLEASE dont mention the Alto Clarinet again..!

perhaps you should get a new band leader

(all your problems solved)

Haha, our band director anounced on the first day of school that we get a new band director each year and he's planning to stay here because he just moved here, so thats not likly to happen. And he needs to learn that we're a marching band, not a symphonic band!

Ha ha ha, sounds like the British army school of music to me!

OK, first, like it or not if he's Director then it's his band and he gets to decide what you do, whether it's marching, symphonic wind or unicycles...

The most useful clarinet to try in this situation is the good ol' Bflat. You'll need loads. If you want to be a little different you can go for an Eflat but it's hard to play nicely and takes a LOT of practice. Bass is great but there isn't always a part for you (not in the band I play in anyway) so it helps if you can read and transpose bassoon parts.

Have fun!

Maris

Well, yeah, he's the band director, but theres he's different. He gets mad when we play because he expects us to play in a college level. He has told the best players that they arn't good, and trust me, they are GOOD!

Back on subject, we're trying to find other clarinet players because we have more than enough Bb. We have a bass because basses are always needed and everyband i've seen before has a Bass Clarinet, so I don't know where your from. The alto is too hard. All it does is squeek for me or any other player in my band who has tried it. So we just push that aside and we leave it there. We own a contra bass which ill like to play but it isnt the BIG one. Its quite small for the ones im used to seeing.

Please, no one mention the Alto again. It's too hard to play and we have a small amount of time until we start the concert season.

And is the Eb Sopranino clarinet fun and easy to play? Need some info on that instrument.

Thanks!

It's a very long time since I played that little fellow but I do remember it being fun. The parts fit in with the flute and oboe so you'll find there are lots of notes! The worst thing is they are hard to play in tune and you'll probably produce a thin and weedy sound until you get the hang of it. Good Eflat players are hard to come by so if you can master it you'll always have a job.

Good luck

Maris

After reading through this post dozens of times, I have decided to post. Gordo, If you buy a clarinet, it needs to be what you genuinly like, not what is best for your band. If you plan on majoring in music, perhpas buying bass clarinet will aid you. There really is nothing more rediculous than you feeling forced to buy an Eb and use it two years in high school and not play it again. I would contribute your money to perhaps upgrading your clarinet, or something else. As long as you make your decision based on your personal preferances, then don't worry about your director. Tell him to !****! in your pot!
I wouldn't buy an Eb, but that is just me, becuase for one, how do you know you will be able to play it?, and two, there is the ever constant pain of reeds!