Klarinet Archive - Posting 000009.txt from 2004/01

From: Kenneth Wolman <kenneth.wolman@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] teaching beginner essentials
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2004 11:49:05 -0500

At 10:55 PM 12/31/2003, you wrote:
>I'd say:
>1) correct embouchure
>2) correct tongueing
>3) correct breathing and filling the clarinet with lots of air

Hmmm. By this list I suppose I'm getting the right kind of pedagogy from
the kid at Rutgers who's been teaching me. Embouchure and gut-breathing
are prime thus far, the next lesson is going to be my lesson in total
frustration, an hour of pure tonguing practice: in the words of (I think it
was) Carol Burnett, I'd rather marry a moose.

He already showed me how to hold the instrument, thereby disabusing me of
the notion that as a beginner I can hold the clarinet at a 75 degree angle
from my body like I was Benny Goodman...or Giora Feidman. The photo I've
seen of the aged but still stupendous Anthony Gigliotti holding the
instrument close to his body was taught to me as correct. Did someone say
something about learning the rules before you break them?

I came there MOSTLY knowing how to read music. I can't sight-read worth a
damn. I don't know if that an be taught. I'm sure I will get answers:-).

Twenty minutes a day for practice? There are days here and there where,
owing to outside world commitments, I can't pick up the instrument. My
practice sessions therefore tend to go for quite awhile...stop in between
until I can feel my mouth again...then go back to it.

Ken

-------------------------------------------------------------
Kenneth
Wolman
http://www.kenwolman.com

"i had not really expected to find any of the art world populated with
ex-murderers fascists green berets and now i know that you can find
anything in the art world and they can even become prophets' -- David
Antin, "Tuning"

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