Klarinet Archive - Posting 000306.txt from 1997/08

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: How young is too young?
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 21:26:10 -0400

Jonathan,

I didn't say that you couldn't get an Eb, but I do believe Cs aren't all
that common.

Also, I don't see why anyone would want to invest in one instrument,
simply to have to invest in another a short time later. It just doesn't
make sense to buy two instruments, when you only need one.

I maintain my statement that the Eb Clarinet is a different animal.
There are many techniques you use for it that don't work on Bb, and vice
versa.

"In fact, it is exactly the same instrument - just a smaller, higher
pitched version thereof."

I disagree. It is not exactly the same instrument, and if you treat it
exactly the same way you just aren't going to have the success you would
if you recognized the differences between them.

I am opposed to starting kids as early as physically possible, because
there just isn't a reason in my opinion. I started clarinet at 12, and
I compete against people who started at 9 and younger; I'm pretty happy
with how I'm doing. That's just my opinion, and that's how I would
treat the situation.

If, however, I did want to start them as early as possible I wouldn't
start them on another instrument. It just doesn't make sense. Start a
kid on the instrument they want to play and then they can stick with
it. Saying that two instruments of different size are exactly the same
is simply not true!! There is an adjustment. Why make a kid who is
learning the basics of technique, tone, and articulation have the added
concern of adjusting to a new instrument?

I'm not being nasty, but I believe starting a kid on one instrument and
switching to another is an unneccesary mistake.

Maybe I have a different opinion because I am still a "kid", but I think
that they have their whole life to enjoy music and playing. Why rush
them into it? Wait until they are ready to begin on a Bb Clarinet, the
standard for most of the music they will play in their first years, and
let them go from there.

----------------
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711

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