Klarinet Archive - Posting 000047.txt from 2001/01

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.org>
Subj: RE: [kl] Community bands and clarinets
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 16:09:25 -0500

On Tue, 2 Jan 2001, Michel Chee wrote:
> So given all of this, how does everyone suggest introducing young children
> (or any children) to a musical instrument. How do you keep their interest?
> I am a trained pianist (ok, I took lessons as a kid) and I want to pass the
> music making onto my kids. They are taking recorder in school and one is
> taking violin. The schools don't teach squat!! They're not even taught how
> to tune the instrument. OK, enough ranting. How do you keep a child's
> interest. Is technique really that important? (i.e. scales etc). I'd
> really like to develop their ear and their appreciation of music. Any
> suggestions?

All three of my kids have an interest in music, possibly because they see the wife & I taking lessons & practicing, (and struggling!) too.

We started them on piano at around 5 or 6 years old, and then when the school band programs started they got to choose another instrument (but not drop piano). It's worked for us: the oldest son is a clarinet major at Cleveland Inst. of Music studying with Cohen; the middle son, a junior in HS, makes money accompanying other students at solo & ensemble festivals on piano and is becoming an accomplished jazz trumpter, playing in a college jazz band and has performed at the Detroit Montreaux Jazz Festival; and the youngest has started alto sax this year.

They've never known that they _weren't_ supposed to practice every day, and the time spent on piano & their other instrument keeps those otherwise idle hands busy and out of trouble. And it makes me proud as a parent when I see them perform - and they know that.

Mark C.

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