Klarinet Archive - Posting 000872.txt from 1997/08

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: How young is too young?
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 17:28:16 -0400

There are now little clarinets called Kinder Clarinets (roughly the size
of an Eb clarinet...pitched in Eb!) for smaller kids. Here are the
problems I see.......the child learns a different tongue placement in the
back of the aural cavity for the notes on the little clarinet, and the
pitches do not center well between registers. As a result, the transfer
to Bb clarinet is not advantageous except that the child has better
facility (unless questionable hand position occurs on the kinder cl), and
that the child has learned how to blow.

It might be bettter to start the child in 5th or 6th grade, but get piano
lessons beginning at age 8 (~3rd grade). We are doing this with our
children, and, by the time they begin an instrument, they will already
have the clef, rhythmic, and note reading ability. Transfer to the
instrument of choice is not a problem. I started the clarinet in the 7th
grade (after three years of piano), played Mozart 2nd mvt that year,
Mozart 3rd mvt the next, vonWeber Concertino in 9th grade, Polacca in
10th, Spohr concrto 1 (mvts 2/3) in 11th, and Crusell Concerto No. 3 in
12th. With the right instruction (I didn't have true private lessons
until 11th grade), a kid does not need to start early.

Now - if we are talking string instruments, that's a whole differnet
matter! My 6 year old just started on a 1/4 size cello....and we have
been told that he is actually starting fairly late.....*claaannnggg!!!*

Roger Garrett

On Wed, 20 Aug 1997, Scott D. Morrow wrote:

>
> >I'm wondering what all of you think--is 7 years old too young to begin
> >playing?
>
> >Rob Teitelbaum
>
>
> Yes, I know I am way behind on my mail! But here goes:
>
> I don't think it would hurt to at least let him try it! My five-year-old
> daughter gets a kick out of blowing through my instruments (she even got a
> sound out of a bass clarinet!). I don't think I would start a very young
> child on a rigorous practice schedule, but I certainly see no harm in
> keeping the interest up and giving pointers on the correct way to play!
>
> -Scott
>
>
> Scott D. Morrow
> Department of Biochemistry
> School of Hygiene and Public Health
> Johns Hopkins University
> (410) 955-3631
>
> SDM@-----.edu
>
>
>

   
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