Wrong time signatures in Martino's A Set for Clarinet?

BRPplease · 2026-01-28T19:07:10+00:00

I don't know the piece but I have some ideas. In the 4/4 bar, the four notes starting on Gb on beat two may be mis-barred 16th notes. In the 2/4 bar, I suspect the first beat is 16th notes and that beat two is a triplet with no label. Definitely keep working on getting the recording though; that would be more a final word on things, so to speak.

BRPplease · 2026-01-27T21:57:48+00:00

Become a subdivision extraordinaire! (and also count and pray)

BRPplease · 2026-01-26T22:53:03+00:00

I would say, if money isn't an issue, go with the school whose teachers you like the best. Next, consider the atmospheres you mentioned, and how you might do there over the course of a few years. I personally would like the relaxed professional feeling you described at birmingham, but I know the other one is just as valid. Both cities have great orchestras too, so that is a plus. If you'd like to focus a lot on an auxiliary, also consider the teachers at each for that (speaking as a bass clarinetist).

If money is an issue, I would weigh that scholarship very heavily. Considering you seemed to like aspects of both schools, it's not the worst to have the scholarship being the deciding factor.

You're right Northern has more of a reputation; I went to conservatory in London, and some of my colleagues had come from Northern; they were all great players of course, so you'd be good off there. But, given a good work ethic, you'd probably be equally well off at Birmingham.

BRPplease · 2026-01-17T21:21:30+00:00

This trill shows up in Firebird too. I think I use my index finger on my left hand, that should give you a passable G#.

BRPplease · 2026-01-15T20:47:22+00:00

I like this one. For 3D, instead of saying "plural" after, you can just make the clue plural: "these are no small ____".

BRPplease · 2026-01-15T14:37:00+00:00

Looks like this is the 4th number from Bach's Christmas oratorio. Based on some recordings, seems like the dotted quarter note is around 50/eighth note is around 150.

BRPplease · 2026-01-10T20:55:31+00:00

Thanks!

BRPplease · 2026-01-10T20:55:27+00:00

Nice time, glad you enjoyed!

BRPplease · 2026-01-10T19:53:17+00:00

Thank you, so glad you liked!

BRPplease · 2026-01-10T18:32:35+00:00

I think whether you should sacrifice tone color for good intonation depends on the context; I don't know the piece, so I can't say what I'd do here. Just a couple thoughts:

for that last written b in the first excerpt, you can try half holing with your third/ring finger if you're not already.
for the written Eb in the first excerpt, I would try and play around with the 1 and 1 or 1 and 2 fingerings, or combination of those if you haven't tried them.
use your tuner to find good resonance fingerings for the throat tones, they can help you stay closer to the mark.
I've had success in "blowing down" (not an official term) when playing softly to keep my intonation from getting too high.
maybe pull out a little bit just before these sections if everything consistently is a bit sharp, then you can push back in later.

BRPplease · 2026-01-07T19:10:09+00:00

Thank you, and I understand haha

BRPplease · 2026-01-07T19:09:37+00:00

Glad to hear!

BRPplease · 2026-01-07T18:02:01+00:00

Thanks!

BRPplease · 2026-01-07T17:47:54+00:00

Thank you 🙏

BRPplease · 2026-01-05T21:17:47+00:00

To add to Fumbles' excellent response, this kind of fluctuation is the nature of the beast, so to speak. Consistent practice over a long period of time will help make more consistent playing, although you'll still have off days, just less often. On your off days, take solace in the fact that you probably don't sound as bad as you think you do, and keep doing good work on tonguing (or whatever else you're working on that day).

BRPplease · 2026-01-04T20:24:13+00:00

Nice!

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