Klarinet Archive - Posting 000157.txt from 2003/10

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] [clarinet] reeds for beginners?
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2003 15:13:25 -0400

I see no possible good coming from allowing a beginner to start=20
experimenting or sampling different brands of reeds, particularly after=20=

only playing a few notes--regardless of the quality thereof. At best,=20
it will be a waste of money (and reeds are quite expensive....more than=20=

they should be, and possibly very confusing and disorienting for the=20
student.

I strongly suggest that the teacher VERY CAREFULLY and CONTINUOUSLY=20
monitor the students' working reeds. Sterisol, a box of facial tissues=20=

and a reed clipper are all necessary equipment and supplies for=20
teaching a beginner. They will probably be used at every lesson for a=20
while. Developing a correct embouchure requires a reed strength=20
appropriate for the mouthpiece tip opening and the beginners developing=20=

embouchure.

Any experimenting and sampling should come after the embouchure is well=20=

formed, adequate breath support is in place, a concept of=20
characteristic tone quality is in place and is coming from the student=20=

and when the student starts to discriminate and know when the reed is=20
too soft or too hard.

Submitted respectfully,

Richard Bush

On Tuesday, October 7, 2003, at 12:32 PM, Ormondtoby Montoya wrote:

> K.=A0Brannon wrote:
>
>> which reeds to start [beginners] on
>
>
>
> Once a beginner has produced a few notes --- regardless of the quality
> thereof --- I think it's important to encourage students to
> **experiment** on their own as well as to listen to the instructor's
> advice. Imo, once beginners reach the point where adjusting a reed
> makes a reproducible difference, students should be encouraged to get
> curious and to try things on their own. Trying out different reeds =
is
> certainly the least expensive way to start beginners down this 'dual
> path' of judging their own sounds while also fitting other persons'
> opinions (including the audience's, if it is a performance) into their
> own preferences.
>
>
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