Klarinet Archive - Posting 000958.txt from 2004/07

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Big Talent
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 08:00:16 -0400


Christy Erickson wote,
>I have . . . an absolutely awesome student. . . .
>I just think 3 instruments [clarinet, sax, piano]
>at one time may be too much.

Ken Shaw wrote,
>>With someone this good, I think you should let
>>her do what she wants. Childhood is about
>>exploration. I play several instruments (clarinet,
>>sax, many sizes of recorder, flute, starting oboe)
>>and never get confused.

Like Ken, I play several instruments and also find that they're not
confusing, except for Albert system clarinet (new to me), because that one
*is* a clarinet and, so far, my brain automatically goes into Boehm system
clarinet mode. Kids soak things up so fast -- I think childhood is the
*best* time to learn to double. I retain things I learned as a child, even
if I didn't think I learned them well at the time, better than things I
learn today. If nobody scares kids with warnings about how hard something
is, half the time they never do realize it's difficult.

Christy, I'm glad you've decided to go ahead with your student on both sax
and clarinet. Another way to look at things is that, since the student
already *has* that saxophone, you can bet she'll play it, whether you agree
to teach her on it or not.

I don't care what Mama don't allow,
I'm gonna play that saxophone anyhow!
Mama don't allow no saxophone playin' 'round here.

(Is J. J. Cale the author of that song? In June, I heard list member Jim
Lande, with the Archie's Barbershop blues band, play a terrific chorus of
the clarinet verse on one of his vintage metal soprano clarinets, at the
Washington Folk Festival. It's stuck in my mind.)

Well, since she's "gonna play that saxophone anyhow," she might as well
play it with instruction from you, instead of teaching herself bad habits.

Lelia Loban
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/LeliaLoban
Kerry and Edwards in 2004, because regime change begins at home!

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