Klarinet Archive - Posting 000180.txt from 1998/02

From: benevolent1@-----. Horney)
Subj: Re: Starting on E-Flat?
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 22:55:36 -0500

Mr. Lones,

Will your daughter have access to a music education program in junior
high? If so, perhaps not starting her on the clarinet at all until the
program begins may be your best bet. Putting the musical debate aside
for the moment, she will be at a disadvantage socially if she starts now,
and her friends don't start until 6th or 7th grade. While they are
puttering around on "Mary had a Little Lamb," she may or may not feel
alone practicing the Weber Concertos. The best friends I have today I
met because I was in band. I wouldn't trade the social side of it for
anything. After all, she is just a child, and in the 6th grade, she
needs to be developing as such. I am afraid that starting her too soon
may result in frustration and eventually may lead to dropping the
clarinet all together.

In the mean time, help her to enjoy good music. Teach her to appreciate
the colors of the different instruments and the feelings it gives her.
Playing the piano is great! I wish that I would have learned sooner so
that in a year I wouldn't be in piano proficiency class just struggling
to complete it.

Also, I find it hard enough to produce a good sound on the eefer, I can't
imaging the sounds that would have been wafting from my room as a
beginner if I had started there! My parents surely would have killed me!
The Eb clarinet is a different instrument. Just because you play the Bb
clarinet well does not mean that you would make a good Eb clarinetist.
Though not equal, they at least are separate.
I wish your daughter and the rest of the family the best of luck.

Sarah
benevolent1@-----.com
ICQ UIN 6585512

"Give me a place to stand, and a lever long enough,
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