Klarinet Archive - Posting 000134.txt from 2003/06

From: "Brian Peterson" <brianp@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Help with a beginner student
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2003 12:32:18 -0400

Dear All,

Please excuse the extremely basic nature of my inquiry.

The mother of a sixth grader at the church I attend has asked me to spend a
little time with her son this summer teaching him some of the basics of
clarinet, i.e. embouchure, posture, reading notes, etc. before he begins in
late August.

Although he's gotten the "don't do anything until August" lecture, this kid
is Really excited about playing the clarinet and now that the horn, reeds,
mouthpiece have arrived in the mail he can hardly control himself. I should
say that for this young man to be excited about anything is nothing short
of a miracle.

I'm embarrassed to say that although I've been playing clarinet for over a
quarter of a century and have helped young students with their music from
time to time, I've never actually had to explain to someone else how to form
a correct embouchure. The last thing I want to do is to do irreparable
harm, so I would like to know what those of you who teach tell your young,
beginning students.

Thanks so much for your assistance.

Brian Peterson

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