Klarinet Archive - Posting 000723.txt from 2001/10

From: AnneLenoir@-----.net (Anne Lenoir)
Subj: Re: [kl] When to teach voicing for altissimo notes
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 11:27:31 -0400

Dear Robert,
I too find your theories very interesting, and I think you should
write a method book for teaching clarinet. Are you familiar with Abe
Galper's Clarinet Method? It is a wonderful method book for learning to
play the clarinet, the best I have seen so far. All of my students love
the book. He does spend a lot of time working on the low register of the
clarinet, but that is very important for developing a good tone. I do
believe that young students have to be able to cover the holes of the
clarinet and move up & down the F & G scales of the low register (Eb
Concert and F Concert) with ease before the higher notes can have much
meaning. It's just sensible to feel comfortable with basic "hole
covering" skills when you start to play the clarinet. Abe Galper's
Method takes it further than basic comfort, with the use of lovely
melodies in 3/4 and 4/4 time in several keys, developing good skills
with the pinkies and R hand Eb. I personally enjoy teaching the clarinet
this way and don't necessarily think that this would be the time to put
a whole lot of emphasis on the altissimo range. Maybe some squeeking on
harmonics now and then, particularly if they squeek by accident.
But after students have a foundation in basic clarinet fingering
skills, involving nice melodic content, I think it might be interesting
to see what could happen next in regards to high notes. I don't think
that the use of an occasional harmonic "squeek" held out as long as they
can, would hurt anything, and I can see how it could contribute towards
having a good altissimo range in the future. But these harmonic
"studies" need to be written out in your own method, so that others can
see what you're up to. Right now, I am more concerned with band
directors trying to pressure 10-year-old kids into going over the break
when they can't really cover the holes easily and naturally. They come
into the lessons wanting to quit band because they have "try-outs" on a
C scale (Bb Concert) the next day, and they can't go over the break. The
band directors in our district are all trumpet players. The altissimo
range is the least f my worrries. Right now it is "finger placement" and
good melodic playing. I think the "altissimo" studies should start
later, after they can go from A to B without it being a gut wrenching
experience. ANNIE

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