Klarinet Archive - Posting 000601.txt from 1996/09

From: "Susan E. Pontow" <FBVB@-----.BITNET>
Subj: saxophone methods vs. clarinet
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 16:57:15 -0400

I have some questions about teaching saxophone as compared with teaching
clarinet. This semester I've been assigned to teach a couple of saxophone
lessons against my will (I don't really like sax but I do have a minor in it).
Anyway, I have an eighth-grader for both clarinet and saxophone lessons. I've
taught him clarinet from the very beginning for about 2 years now. His first
instrument was saxophone and is more advanced with that. My problem is
although I have some experience with levels of achievement and method books for
clarinet, I am not sure what to do with saxophone. I know Southern Music puts
out that pamphlet by Hite as a guide for clarinet study. Does such a guide
exist for saxophone? ( I would call Southern myself, except that I'm rarely at
home before midnight.) I know some things are important for all wind
instruments (breathing, posture, embouchure, finger placement), but are there
any differences in what you should look for in saxophone, as compared to what
you should look for in clarinet (aside from vibrato). And when should vibrato
be taught? We've only had two lessons on saxophone, and so far I've
concentrated on breathing, the differences between sax and clarinet
embouchures, intonation, and rhythmic problems. As far as I can see he hasn't
learned vibrato yet in his 4 years of study. (He's in the Rubank Advanced
Method, book 1.)

Thank you in advance for your help. And if this topic has been discussed
before, I apologize for not having the time to look in the archives first.

Sincerely,

Susan Pontow