The viability of the clarinet in modern music . . .

[Airflyte]

. . . :-/

First off, let me claim that I\'m really \"digging\" the sound and the overall \"vibe\" of my soprano clarinets. As a beginner, I\'m realizing that you can\'t play these things half heartedly.

People around me don\'t seem to have to much to say about the appreciation of the clarinet. OK, that\'s fine but I figure they all listen to the \"popular\" . . um, music and I will use the music term rather loosely.

Anybody here know of any modern bands (other than big bands) that features a clarinet player?  

My buddy at work told me that last night\'s High School jazz concert had precisely ZERO clarinets in the mix. I thought to myself, \"Well that\'s their problem, not mine.\"

[DaveLeBlanc]

hmmm...  Well Fun. does feature unusual instruments (in today\'s music climate, anyways) like Trombones, Baritones, and Oboes...

[philpedler]

School jazz bands are usually modeling themselves after the Stan Kenton sound, not back to Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, or (terribly uncool) Laurence Welk.

Some rock bands (or at least some contemporary Christian groups) have included a cello. And I have found in my church band playing that I can sometimes effectively use the chalemeau register to growl around like a cello and sometimes use long tones in a higher register. Trying to do what a trumpet would do comes off sounding half-baked. Sometimes rhythmic motifs or imitating/echoing the melody will sound cool.

Comedian Johnathon Winters used to have a routine where he talked of himself as an out-of-work viking. Vikings and their clothing really have gone out of style. Sometimes I have felt like that as a clarinet player.

I am encouraged that one still hears quite a bit of clarinet playing in film scores, introducing anything older (like Antiques Roadshow), and other places where \'personality\' is called for (like Klesmer or All Things Considered). There may still be a time when someone will help the clarinet break out of the mold to find a new context.

[Daltonl]

I think we hear the clarinets more than we notice,  especially the base.    Course I\'m old but when I think of modern music I still think of the Beatles.   Clarinets were very prominate in a lot of their music.     Also,  if someone is starting any type of group what they are going to have to begin with is what is available....  That could be almost any combination of instruments.

Sometimes whats available dosen\'t appear to be a good combination,  but you never know.    I jusst finished listening to a fold syyle singer using a violin, a ukelele and a cello for acompanyment.   It was absolutely beautiful........

[Airflyte]

Actually as I sit here at my computer, I do hear many clarinet riffs while my children watch their TV shows. \"Jane and the Dragon\" I think, is the name of one show they like. Blues Clues is another show with clarinet phrases.

Funny thing to share with all . . . . when I take time to practice, my youngest (soon to be 2) trots over to his toy bin to grab a plastic recorder. The look on his face is priceless

[Daltonl]

That is neat !!   I\'ve enjoyed similar experiences with my children.

I agree with you.  I think we do hear more clarinet playing than we realize.  The TV has conditioned us to be used to music in the background \"going in one ear and out the other\"!!  We don\'t really listen to it.

[Airflyte]

Leave it to me to revive one my old threads . . . . anyway, I want to share with all you of what inspired me to do so. A couple of days ago, I watched an old rerun of the TV series \"Monk\" where Adrian gets to play his clarinet along with Mr. Nelson.



        I happen to really enjoy this particular show - Monk is like a fumbling \"Columbo\" who despite his superficial incompetence always finds the needle in the haystack to find the guilty party!
     Oh, wait - just one more thing . . .

 . . . . . . . . quoting Phil Pedler, \"I am encouraged that one still hears quite a bit of clarinet playing in film scores, introducing anything older (like Antiques Roadshow), and other places where \'personality\' is called for (like Klesmer or All Things Considered). There may still be a time when someone will help the clarinet break out of the mold to find a new context.\"   Well said Phil!!!

[DrBob]

Someone mentioned klezmer, which is still contemporary but niche; great parts for the clarinet, specially in the upper register...see
[video=youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOKnUKIZ_Kc&list=PL189E048C4E79A1EB[/video]
and
[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTWUaM78oc [/video] (includes a contra-alto or contrabass clarinet)

Our local folk group allows me to play along with the dulcimers (hammered and mountain) and guitars.   There is an occasional clarinet in blue grass, but the pros don\'t usually welcome it

[DrBob]

Someone mentioned klezmer, which is still contemporary but niche; great parts for the clarinet, specially in the upper register...see
[video=youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOKnUKIZ_Kc&list=PL189E048C4E79A1EB[/video]
and
[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTWUaM78oc [/video] (includes a bass clarinet)
and
[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkmFgQ9fM94[/video]
Our local folk group allows me to play along with the dulcimers (hammered and mountain) and guitars.   There is an occasional clarinet in blue grass, but the pros don\'t usually welcome it

Looking at that, is that a bass or a contra-alto with the deep voice?