Klarinet Archive - Posting 000031.txt from 1998/09

From: Matt Palasik <mattp169@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Children and Clarinet Playing
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 21:59:17 -0400

Eb are more dificult to play then a Bb. Just becase they are smaller
doesnt make trghem better for smaller people. A younger student is best
served learning on a Bb. for several reasons.
1 it is the most used of the clarinet family
2. it is in my oppinion the easiest to play
3. There are many student models at low cost available for Bb. I have
never heard of a student model Eb
4. there is a type of beginer clarinet called a Kiddie Clarinet.
I dont know too much about them but I have heard they are designed a
little different so younger smaller children can play them more easily.

What age depends on the child.
The child must have these qualifications
1. the responsibility to take care of the instrument
2. The childs muscles must be developed enough to push the mechanisms
and maintain an emobochure
3. The childs hand eye coordination must be developed enmogh to read
music and play at the same time.

Most public schools start children around the 4th grade Around 10 or
11. This is a safe number. BUt depending on the child a year or two
younger would be possible.

Ed Lyons wrote:
>
> Any ideas on how young a person can start learning clarinet? Is it a good idea to start a child out on the Eb? or should a parent wait (assuming there is sufficient interest on the child's part) until he or she can handle a Bb?
>
> Excuse me if this has already been a thread on the list.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ed Lyons
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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