Klarinet Archive - Posting 000588.txt from 2003/10

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Starting a youngster
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 18:47:43 -0400

I hate to throw a wet blanket on the enthusiasm a couple of other responders
have shown, but my answer is - wait at least a year or (depending on her
size and apparent interest) two.

Just getting a sound is not all there is to playing a clarinet. That even
this basic preliminary is, for any reason, proving difficult suggests that
she just isn't physically ready. I don't have a strong opinion about using
small clarinets with very young children because I've never tried it. But,
though your daughter may be different, 7-year-olds with whom I've had
experience are not grown enough to cover holes on a full size clarinet (or
any of the other standard orchestral/band wind instruments, which don't come
in tiny sizes the way Suzuki-style string instruments do). Children that
size *can* handle tonettes, melody flutes, even recorders - all of which can
be used to teach and build the basic concept of fingering without the
complexity, weight or stretch of a full-size clarinet or the muscular
demands of a reed or standard flute embouchure. My advice would be to find
another less effortful means to teach her the basics of music and let the
clarinet wait until just getting a sound is not a barrier that needs
surmounting.

My $.02.

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vic Brincat [mailto:vbrincat@-----.com]
>
> I would love the get my 7 year old daughter started playing the
> clarinet.
>
> What can I do to get her to make a sound?

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