Klarinet Archive - Posting 000301.txt from 1997/08

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.net>
Subj: Re: How young is too young?
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 19:49:08 -0400

Craig Countryman wrote:

>C Clarinet may be a possibility, but how many of those are availible to
>be sold on demand. It is a hard to find instrument these days.
>Further, why should someone invest in a smaller clarinet, only to buy a
>bigger one a couple years later?
>
>Eb Clarinet music is very hard to find also. You could use Bb music I
>suppose, but it is not always suited to the special properties of the
>Eb. If my statement is so invalid then why hasn't such a method popped
>up for clarinet?
>
>Just my thoughts. Take them or leave them. I just can't see teaching a
>kid on instrument only to make him learn a whole other one a year or so
>later.
>
>----------------
>Craig Countryman
>cegc@-----.net
>http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711
>
>Quote of the Day:
>
>"Conscience is the inner voice which warns us
> that someone may be looking." -H. L. Mencken

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about this subject floating
around the list. This is not really a matter of opinion, but one of
empirical fact. There is no question that starting students younger is
better. They should be started as young as is physically possible for best
average results.

To answer some of your specific comments above:

Both C clarinets and Eb clarinets are readily available from all of the
major manufacturers.

There is no need to find music written specifically for those instruments,
because we are talking about a young beginner. Any standard clarinet
methods for a beginner will be fine.

And finally, it is not a different instrument. In fact, it is exactly the
same instrument - just a smaller, higher pitched version thereof. The
fingerings are the same, it is blown the same way, and it sounds the same
(at a higher pitch). An Eb clarinet to a 6 or 7 year old, will feel
approximately the same as a Bb clarinet to a 12 year old.

All of the posts on the list about the Eb being "a different animal" etc.
is an esoteric discussion of extremely subtle differences that are of no
consequence whatsoever to a beginner. Of course, there are subtle
differences that matter to an advanced player. As there are subtle
differences between the Bb and the A clarinet, for that matter.

Again, these differences matter not at all to a beginner who is just
learning how to hold, blow, finger and read music.

What does matter is getting musicians started as young as is physically
possible when their learning potential is greatest. That's why violinists
and pianists start at age two.

The younger the better. No question about it. It has been proven over and
over again.

-------------------
Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net