Klarinet Archive - Posting 000141.txt from 1995/08

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: New student
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 1995 12:42:35 -0400

Adam,
My experience over the last 10 years of teaching mostly beginners
as young as 8 years old is that there is really no way to make a little
child's hand conform to a clarinet which was designed for bigger hands.
Therefore, I let them hold their hands any way that is both comfortable
and can accomplish the tasks. Plenty of time later on to change what
needs to be changed. Kids can adapt very easily to new hand positions,
embouchures, etc. The main focus of my lessons is to instill the idea
that clarinet playing should be fun. I want them to get a sense of
accomplishment so they'll stick with it long enough for their little hands
to grow big enough to have no problem with proper hand position.
The biggest danger with little ones, especially
small-boned girls, is tendonitis in the right wrist. I am always VERY
vigilant about that and tell all my beginners to tell me IMMEDIATELY if
they get any type of hand/wrist pain. Often I recommend the "Weight
Lifter" from Robert James Products at the first lesson and that works
well. I have also told my students with problems to buy adjustable thumb
rests, (Despite the unconscionably high price charged by Buffet, Selmer,
et al.) which have helped some of them immensely.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Mon, 7 Aug 1995, R Adam Pease wrote:

> I have a young friend (10 yrs old) who I am just starting to teach
> to play clarinet (2 weeks). She is doing remarkably well at producing
> a good sound. The current challenge is getting her hand position
> right so that her small hands can cover all the holes properly. The
> left thumb is the toughest problem. Her tendency is to make it too
> vertical and roll the pad of the thumb to the inside edge instead of
> flat. Any advice for how to help her find a comfortable position that
> allows her to cover the thumb hole and still reach the register key
> and allow her hand the potential to relax?
> Also, many thanks to everyone who responded to my question about
> horn, clarinet, and piano music. We now have a wealth of repertoire to
> read as soon as I finish doing three concerts over the next month!
>
> Adam Pease
> pease@-----.gov
> r_adam_pease@-----.gov
>