Klarinet Archive - Posting 000243.txt from 2000/06

From: "Joshua M. Coleman" <joshcole@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Students in general, was Re: [kl] New Student
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 11:45:36 -0400

I think it's funny how this thread began. I've been in lurk mode for
about two years (?), after having posted quite a bit my first several
months on the list. I now have an enormous studio (two students!!!). The
first student I began teaching outrightly refuses to use the keys on the
left side, other than E/B. Now, I'm not sure of the reasoning, but her
band directors have never taught her that the left pinky keys are vital to
clarinet playing (with the exception of that E/B key). As well, her band
seemed to have never taught her any type of breathing mechanics -- other
than "blow," that is. My question is, how many of you private teachers
have encountered this? I know a major factor in this sort of thing is
that some high school band directors are more involved with marching band
competition in the fall and concert band competition in the spring that
some of these basics are unfortunately overlooked. My student is in her
fourth year of playing and only knows a few alternate fingerings (those
that I've taught her). Her breathing has improved after she and I went
through proper breathing mechanics. But I'm still concerned. Is this a
common problem?

Joshua M. Coleman
Future Music Educator of America

"Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can put off 'til the day after that?"
-- Mark Twain

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