Klarinet Archive - Posting 000337.txt from 1998/02

From: lanewhite@-----.com (Lane G White)
Subj: Re: Starting on E-Flat?
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:39:59 -0500

On Tue, 3 Feb 1998 20:48:52 -0600 (CST) Roger Garrett
<rgarrett@-----.edu> writes:

>I personally started in 7th grade........and I don't feel that I was
>disadvantaged. What you are doing now.... having her play piano, is
>the
>best possible thing for her until 5th or 6th grade. I personally
>believe
>you should wait.

I have personally seen this myself, Roger. Especially if a child is a
little small for their age, starting them too young can be a nightmare.

Does anyone out there have any good, quick and painless ways to access
hand size in a prospective student, the better to advise a parent before
they shell out $$$ for instruments and lessons prematurely? Sometimes
they seem to be able to reach the keys, but their hand size causes them
problems in keeping the tone holes sealed while they touch the keys with
the 5th finger.