Klarinet Archive - Posting 000249.txt from 2000/06

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Students in general, was Re: [kl] New Student
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 14:05:33 -0400

Has the pressure to acquire <student> players for college/marching bands etc
become <so> urgent, and as a result do they unintentionally fall behind with
correct academic progress. I believe that one must practice <individually>
in order to make progress at a rate of knots. The individual practise is the
prime factor in all aspects of learning to play. And studying properly with
a qualified tutor is the <only> real way. If students are brought into
college bands too soon - great for parents and college prestige, they begin
to pick up hints/help from the coach, and other more/less advanced students,
which might not be suitable for them at their particular stage of
development. I personally suffered many years ago, when I joined a band
before I had developed a good sound/tone. I began to play too loudly,
because I was inexperienced, and because I couldn`t <hear> myself. Everyone
else was probably doing the same! It was years later when I discovered that
I had developed a quite forceful way of blowing, thus ruining my tone.
Incidentally, I believe it should be generally known, certainly with
clarinet playing, that the word <blow> is a totally wrong concept of how to
start the read vibrating. We <breath> through the aperture - steam the
kitchen window up on a cold and frosty morning. It should not take a lot of
<air> to start the read vibrating. The important bit is to keep the air
stream even & constant once you begin.

So, there <are> hundreds & thousands of college bands these days. Many more
than 30/40 years ago. The social & musical aspect of being a member of a
band is indeed very enjoyable. However, colleges, parents, band coaches, not
least of all, the student him/herself, and the instrument teacher should be
aware that it is very possible to deteriorate if there is an imbalance in
the amount of time spent in playing in band, and time spent in individual
practise. To develop good tone, one has to spend a great deal of time by
oneself, listening to the individual sound being created. We have to learn
how to use our ears. But that`s for another time - - - - -

Not quite what you were expecting Joshua, is it, but I just <have> to take
<this> opportunity to put my 10 pennies worth to the Future Music Educator
of America.
Best wishes,
Tony W.
----- Original Message -----
From: Joshua M. Coleman <joshcole@-----.edu>
Subject: [kl] Students in general, was Re: [kl] New Student

> 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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