Position:Home>Performing Arts> Another marching band question ?

I am a clarinetist in my high school band, so I'm confident that I am giving you good information!.

Clarinet has pros and cons!.
First, the clarinet has a large range and can play loudly or softly without sounding bad (like a loud flute or a soft alto sax)!.
Second, playing clarinet will allow you to transition to most other woodwind instruments in time!.

However, to play clarinet in a marching band, you must be able to read music!. The sixteenth note runs can be taxing at times, but I'm sure you'll work through it!.

Focus on developing the upper register, because that's where the majority of marching band music is written for clarinet!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Hey, I answered your question last night too haha!. I'd say just pick one and go with your gut on it!. If you end up changing your mind, you can just switch before the season starts or if it's too late you can change instruments after the seasons over!.

By asking people what they think you should play, everyone is giving you THEIR personal opinion on what they think you should play, when it should be up to you!. Each instrument has its pros and cons but people play these instruments because they love them!.

So go with your intuition and best of luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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For marching band, choose trumpet!. Clarinets really don't get heard well in a marching band!. When you get beyond high school and college and into drum-and-bugle competition, there are no clarinets!.

And yes, an alternative would be low brass--bari horn or tuba!.

To make your most rapid progress with your new trumpet or other brass instrument:

Start out by practicing a half-dozen times a day, maybe 10 minutes each time!. Weekly, increase the time of one or two sessions and then slowly reduce the number of them, until you can play comfortably for one hour or more!. This plan builds stamina in the most healthful way, and it yields faster progress for the beginner!.

Practice standing with the back of your head against a wall!. Really!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Talk with the band director, they have a good knowledge of instruments and can tell you which will be better for you!. Its cool you have a idea of what you would like to play but the director can tell you if it would work, also the director can teach you!. Thats what they're trained to do (my mothers is a band director)
As far as marching goes, its cool!. I love it!. You get good excerise in and you grow closer to people!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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trumpet is fun but you have to be prepared to play really high notes and sometimes really hard rythyms!. i played trumpet :]!. i'm not so sure about clarinet for marching, but i got bored with it in concert band!. i play mellophone, or french horn!. its really good because a lot of the times you have to part every one wants to play because its catchy and what everyone remembers about the song!. its really easy to play and its not too big so when you hold it up and march it doesn't hurt your arms!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Depending on your bands lay-out you might need different instruments!. Ask the director what he or she needs more of!. I would recommend a bass-like instrument like tuba, sousaphone, bari sax, or bass trombone because I've heard that the music is much easier!. (I play the flute, some of that music is pretty scary!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Do color guard - you don't need to play an instrument at all! I've been spinning for over 6 years and haven't played anything in almost 10!. Oh, and there are usually an excess of clarinets - my HS had 34 one year, it was crazy!. Go with something a little less commonWww@QuestionHome@Com

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hey!. i suggest you try french horn!. i played the horn and its awesome!. also, it's like the middle voice!. plus, it took me only 2 weeks to learn how to play!. so, i suggest you to try french horn!. =)Www@QuestionHome@Com

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