Klarinet Archive - Posting 000267.txt from 2003/10

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] [clarinet] reeds for beginners?
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 10:57:18 -0400

Obviously, I can't generalize my adult starter experience to a child, =
but I
have watched my own instructor take a 7 year old and have them producing
tone in their first lesson on Vandy B45's and V12 - #3's.

And I can take a seven year old and have them learn the exact same =
sequence, quite satisfactorily, on a Fobes Debut and any reed they =
choose (that is in good condition) for a lot less money (less than $30). =
I don't know what a B45 costs, but by itself, it will be more than =
twice that $30. I would even wager that I could teach a kid to play on =
what ever mouthpiece comes with the clarinet. While they aren't the =
greatest mouthpieces and I would rather that a kid had something good to =
start with, back when I learned to play, there was nothing but what came =
with the instrument. I'm not Tony Pay or Ricardo Morales, but I can =
play well enough and hold an audience when I do play. =20

Parents aren't stupid. With a little information, they can make =
reasonable decisions about what to purchase for their kids without =
making life miserable for the teacher. After kids have been with me for =
six months, their parents get a list of the local stores and three =
catalog dealers and how to find stuff on the web. That list contains =
several different brands of lower end reeds and accessories. When a =
child needs to move up from that level, then I have a face-to-face with =
the parent(s). If they can afford to get something better for their =
kid, then we discuss what the options are. If the choice involves more =
than $50, I go shopping with the parent. They always have more than one =
choice though and they make the decisions, no matter what we are =
purchasing. It's their money and they should be the ones to decide how =
it is spent and where.

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, CPO, AFO, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu

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