Klarinet Archive - Posting 000753.txt from 2001/10

From: "Robert Moody" <LetsReason@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] When to teach voicing for altissimo notes
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 02:15:18 -0400

<<I too find your theories very interesting, and I think you should write a
method book for teaching clarinet.>>

I'm glad. Maybe I can write an article real soon. ;-)

<<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.>>

Unfortunately, I do not think so (on knowing the book). But I absolutely
agree with the idea of spending serious time in the chalumeau register.
Dark, rich tones are developed there and that sound base in the ear of the
student directly affects their hearing of the upper register. All the more
reason that I teach the altissimo early while they are developing more
control of the chalumeau (my kids actually would have some serious control
of tone in the chalumeau...for beginners...before they play the altissimo
exercises in question).

<<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.>>

I agree. I have the students accomplish a rather serious skipping exercise,
generally, before I send them up into the stratosphere. They can do skips
from throat g' down to the octave starting with the 2nd, 3rd, etc. They do
this by wrote.

<<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.>>

Sounds like an excellent resource!

<<But these harmonic "studies" need to be written out in your own method, so
that others can see what you're up to.>>

I'm afraid that video and live demonstration are going to be the only
convincing methods of showing others. Text is so much easier to
misunderstand. But maybe I'll be able to create an article though. Who
knows. ;-)

<<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.>>

Amen sister. I've had kids come up and want to quit band because they were
not ready for a test. There is a lot of "parenting" in middle school, for
sure.

<<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.>>

Alas, a difference in approach is found. :-( But that is okay, that is
what this whole thread is about. Right? I have found that by introducing
the altissimo before the lower register break, the kids end up accomplishing
the break easier and can more quickly articulate the notes with cleanliness,
sooner. Also, the development of a maturity of sound in the throat tones,
which in my experience growing up, without lessons most of the time, was not
until highschool, is accelerated. Aside from the "fingers covering the
holes" issue, developing a mature sound in the throat tones is DIRECTLY
related to developing the ability to voice (adjusting the inner mouth and
the throat) and airstream. Playing the full-length of the tube helps to
understand/feel the needed airpressure better. Playing the altissimo
exercises I have them do helps them to understand/feel the correct voicing
and manipulation of the inner-mouth.

Just some food for thought. But hey. Don't take my word for it. Wait until
you see me at a ClarinetFest giving a lecture on it. ;-) I am totally
joking. But I do hope you at least consider thinking how you would approach
it an trying it on a kid or two. You might be surprised...and pleased. :-)

Robert

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