Klarinet Archive - Posting 001004.txt from 2000/01
From: "Jay D. Webler" <webler@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Why?
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 07:53:45 -0500
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I choose the Clarinet when I was 11. I don't remember why I picked this =
instrument. I do remember hearing recordings by Benny Goodman and Artie =
Shaw. I used to listen to dixieland and try to play the Clarinet solos =
along with the record. I had Woody Hermans solo on Woodchoppers Ball =
down it at least three keys. (The record player we had would play at =
different speeds each day). I progressed quickly under the guidance of =
my general music teacher. Unfortunately I was a big fish in a small =
pond. I had alread received A ratings on Mozart and Weber II. I could =
play everything in the our folder and my mother wouldn't spend any money =
on any extra music activities. My world was indeed quite small. =20
I then became interested in playing the drums and taught myself how to =
play. I would spend hours trying to figure out Max Roach and Buddy Rich =
licks. I developed good speed and facility on the drums. But once =
again I was a big fish in a small pond. =20
It was not until I auditioned for the Air Force Band at Robbins AFB in =
1972 that I begin to realize that teaching myself may have gotten me to =
a level that I thought was acceptable, but in the real world of music I =
was barely limping. I passed the audition on potential only. At that =
time many people were leaving because the Vietnam war was over. They =
needed a drummer and I had a good ear. I was told after I crossed =
trained that I had 3 months to get my act together or I was out. I =
grabbed every book I could get my hands on to improve my reading skills. =
They were impressed with my hard work and let me continue. Eventually =
a drummer came in from Japan, ( Jim Cheek) who was very experienced and =
he began to work with my rough spots.
My point is not about drums. My point is that you have to be careful =
when you teach your self for you may go down the road of self-deception. =
You also may develop habits that will be hard to break.
I recently took a 3 month break from lessons. As I have gotten back =
into them I have been surprised at the fact that I began to think I =
could get along without lessons only to find out that I had begun to let =
some details slip. =20
If you really want to progress, whether you are a professional or an =
amateur you need a teacher. My family has never begrudged my lessons.
As my daughter said, when I was beating myself up one night for spending =
time practicing instead of doing something more meaningful, "Dad, at =
least your not just sitting in front of a TV drinking beer and =
accomplishing nothing. Don't worry about it."=20
Sorry to go on so long,
Jay Webler
Jay's Clarinet and Percussion
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Driver [SMTP:to3456@-----.com]
Subject: [kl] Re: Why?
Bryan Cholfin wrote:
=20
> I'm 35 years old, I have a decent job in the book
> business, and a
> couple of months ago I bought a clarinet.=20
Now, here are some comments on learning the clarinet
without a
teacher. Actually, there is no doubt about it a good
teacher would be
a big help. There are so many things to learn. So
many tricks of
the trade. =20
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