Klarinet Archive - Posting 000329.txt from 1996/03

From: "I. E. Pearson" <MUP95IEP%Sheffield.ac.uk@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Small clarinets
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 11:02:53 -0500

re David Blumberg's message of March 12th:

The instrument in question is properly called the "Kinder Clari" and was
actually the brainchild of an Australian - Neville Chambers. True, John
Denman was involved in the project, in the obvious role as consultant
performer/teacher.

Whilst I personally welcome any attempt to get children experiencing music
at an early age, I cannot understand why we need to have them learning the
clarinet before age 10 or 11. Why not heed the example of this centuries
finest music educators and start your child with movement and singing? We
wind players are only too aware of the importance of developing as keen
and accurate an aural perception as possible. If the child IS musical
(which I believe is true for most children, provided that their general
musical 'education' begins early enough) then such activities will hardly
hinder later development.

And before I descend from my soap-box, let me add how interesting I find
this discussion forum! As a relative newcomer (of about 2 weeks ago), I am
impressed with the comraderie we clarinettists share!

Best wishes to all and sundry,
Ingrid E. Pearson

I. E. Pearson
Research Student
Department of Music
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
SHEFFIELD S10 2TN
U.K.