Klarinet Archive - Posting 000317.txt from 1998/02

From: Cheddar99@-----.com
Subj: re starting on Eb
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:39:39 -0500

>Generally, nothing will screw up a good fundamental base than starting a
>kid on another instrument too soon. This 7th grader isn't ready even to
>go to Bass Clarinet or Eb Clarinet yet......I certainly would not want her
>going to saxophone or, worse, a brass instrument.

This isn't always true. I started clarinet in 5th grade and by 7th grade I was
already up to the 8th grade level on clarinet flute and sax. I was also
beginning on the trumpet. And it's not like Im a special case or anything cuz
all of my friends from band are profeciant (spelling) on more than one
instrument. Playing the different types of clarinets is absolutely no big deal
around here. even in 6th grade we always switched around between Bb, Eb, Bass
and even Contrabass clarinet. It offers a wide range of benifits from
reinforcing fingerings to improving embechoure and support. I know this from
personal experience because my sohpomore year in high school I played Bb
clarinet in syphonic band, Contrabass and Wind Ensemble and Eb for an out of
school band. My support was majoprly improved from the contrabass, much like
the Bass clarinet would help the support of a beginning player. It also gives
a lot of confidence to beginniers because they can brag that they can play
more than one instrument and feel better about themselves which might
encourage them to continue with their music. Plus learning different
instruments will help keep the student happy and not bored. That's why I
learned so many instruments. I was so high above the average ability level in
my junior high band (which wasn't that high) that my teacher would take out
all the instruments the school owned and have me choose one to learn on my
own. Then I'd go play for her and get a LOT of extra credit. by freshman year
I could play all the woodwind instruments and a few of the brass (not too
great on brass though) I strongly incourage any bored musician to go pick up a
totally different instrument and see how good they can be on it. for me it's
like a game. "how long will it take me to play this as good as my clarinet?".

Karen D
Los Altos, Ca