Klarinet Archive - Posting 000203.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Starting on E-Flat?
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 04:41:39 -0500

On Tue, 3 Feb 1998, Sarah B. Horney wrote:
> 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.

As a parent, I applaud the above comments. As a music educator, I simply
remind the list that the initial question didn't appear to ask if we
agreed with any socially redeeming factors for waiting. If the above
arguement were to be used for every parent who wishes to wait until
starting their child on an instrument, we would have not youngsters
beginning before age 8! Frankly, that would be a mistake. Some of the
finest musicians today began on string instruments as early as age 3.
They didn't sacrafice their childhood or become social outcasts. I have a
7 year old son who just began with a quarter size cello.....and he loves
it. Does he still have friends.......are you kidding? How about saying
no to the three who called last night wanting him to come over and
play????

I currently have a 7th grade student who started in 5th grade with me.
She has learned the entire first movement of the Mozart Concerto (and
believe me when I say I don't believe in putting kids onto that piece too
soon) - she is bored to tears in band. Should I have recommended not
beginning until 6th grade simply so she would not be a social outcast in
band? There are other things she can do....such as be a leader in the
ensemble, set the example, help the music teacher, etc.

> 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.

Absolutely a wonderful approach.

> 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.

It is the opinion of this list member that these are the best two reasons
for waiting - and well stated reasons.

Roger Garrett
IWU