Klarinet Archive - Posting 000720.txt from 2001/10

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] When to teach voicing for altissimo notes
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 10:26:48 -0400

I will consider all your points, Tony - thank you. Btw, I'm Canadian, not
American, so I can't answer about pressures of teaching in the US.
Best,
Audrey

Tony Wakefield wrote:

> how I might sdapt (adapt?) the
> > book to get the clarinets playing in the clarion register more quickly?
> > Thanks
> > Audrey
>
> I`m not Robert, Audrey, but an initial thought of mine might be to scrap
> this book and use one which covers first attempts at the clarion register
> with proper coverage.
> My philosophy for students at this stage would only occur once they had a
> reasonable knowledge of all chalumeau notes/fingerings - what would be
> required - air pressure/lip pressure wise in this chalumeau register to
> exercise reasonable initial control. If they <know> to some degree how to
> adjust air/lip pressure, then they are more able to cope with the
> new/strange (to them) register.
> I don`t have too much pressure from students wanting to advance prematurely
> into the clarinet register, because I give them an excess of 'fabulous
> tunes' all down below which preoccupies them, at the same time strengthening
> their embouchure, and at the same time reducing stress for me (and them)
> when they wouldn`t be ready for this next comparatively unimportant stage
> compared to air/lip control. If one has <that> then the upper register is
> very, very, easy.
> I have taken on students, who previously with another teacher have entered
> the upper register prematurely, and my work has really been 'cut out' to
> correct this.
> It could possibly be pressure in the American educational system - "I want
> this boy/girl in band transferring to 1st stand" which causes dysfunctional
> consolidation at this stage of initial entry into the clarion register.
> It will not work either if the student does not have an initially maturing
> tone - they need to know from the outset how to select a reed which plays
> for them.
>
> To Robert - please excuse me chipping in with this reply, but I find it
> intriguing, and would love to discover what pressures there are in U.S.
> instrumental teaching, (with it`s appropriate, or otherwise recommended
> time) to move a student from individual/group learning, to fill a vacant
> chair in band.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Best,
>
> Tony W.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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