Klarinet Archive - Posting 000091.txt from 2004/01

From: "Meridith B. Morgan" <meridith.morgan@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Seventh Grade Band Class
Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2004 21:04:15 -0500

Bob,

A good rule of thumb for attention span is to expect it to be their age (12) plus or minus 2 minutes. Since this is the honors class, you might be able to go slightly longer. Still, I would recommend not focusing on the same topic or demonstration for more than fifteen minutes.

When you talk about your experiences, perhaps try to give several ideas on what students can do with instrumental music beyond school in addition to describing what you've done. Middle schoolers usually appreciate a few anecdotes, especially humerous stories.

You might also want to talk about how you practice -- your practice schedule, how you divide your practice time, what order you do things, how you motivate yourself, etc. At that age, one of the biggest challenges is getting students to practice. Plus, if they're in honors band, they might be thinking, "I'm in honors band, I'm so good I don't need to practice." It can really have a positive effect to hear that an experienced adult needs to practice and puts a lot of time into practicing on a daily or almost daily basis.

As far as a "clarinet clinic," you could discuss/demonstrate some of the different types of clarinets if you have any of these available to you (maybe check with the school??). Most middle schoolers have never seen or heard of the Ab, eefer, alto clarinet, or the contralto and contrabass clarinets. If you can show any of them, they might find it really cool.

You said you did some orchestral playing. If you have an A or C clarinet with you, you could put it side by side with your Bb (or your granddaughter's Bb). Talk about what the differences are and when/why you would want to use an A or C instead of a Bb. With an A or C clarinet, you could play a short song with your granddaughter (while she's on Bb) with you both playing the same written pitch and show that your fingerings are the same but the notes sound different. Then, play the song again but play such that you're playing the same concert pitch so they see/hear that for comparison. You could alternately do this with the flute. Many younger students see "Bb" in front of the word "clarinet" but don't really understand the concept of "when I'm playing a C, I'm really playing Bb" or "I need to play a C on my clarinet to match the Bb that my friend on flute is playing."

Since you'll be performing in a trio anyway, another thing you could talk about is playing in small ensembles. Describe/demonstrate how you work together without a conductor -- starting/stopping, tempo changes, and generally staying together. You could also go over some "tips and tricks" for small ensemble practicing and performing.

Good luck! Most importantly, have fun and express enthusiasm for playing clarinet!!

Meridith

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Robert Murch" <bob_murch@-----.com>
Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
Date: Sat, 03 Jan 2004 19:14:28 -0500

>Hi, we're visiting children and grandchildren in CA for the holidays and
>I've got some time (maybe 20 or 30 minutes) with my twin granddaughters' 7th
>grade middle school honors band class. I'm not sure what, if anything, the
>teacher has in mind for me, but I need a plan. I've thought about detailing
>my history and its lessons (high school bandsman, 43 years of not playing,
>and now that I'm retired, 5 years of catching up--with lessons, a local
>symphony orchestra, two fairly serious wind ensembles, two quintets, and 3
>marching bands). Also, some comments on equipment and intonation and
>playing a short trio or two with the grandkids--clarinet, clarinet and
>flute. Any ideas about attention span, interest, etc., etc.? They may
>want/need a "clarinet clinic"--but they're not sure what that means! Any
>help would be appreciated--Monday the 5th is the day. Thanks.
>
>Bob
>
>Make your home warm and cozy this winter with tips from MSN House & Home.
>http://special.msn.com/home/warmhome.armx
>
>
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