Klarinet Archive - Posting 000726.txt from 2001/10

From: agalper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] When to teach voicing for altissimo notes
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 11:48:26 -0400

Annie, thanks for all your mentions.The reason those books are so much in
the low register, is because that is
the base for the high notes. Not many recognise that. Too bad.How are you?
We're waiting for you. Abe

Anne Lenoir wrote:

> 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
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

--
Avrahm Galper
CLARINET TONE TECHNIQUE AND STACCATO
CLARINET UPBEAT SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS
EINE KLEINE KLEZMER MUSIK
Sales at:luyben@-----.com
(816) 753-7111
http://www.avrahm-galper.sneezy.org

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