Klarinet Archive - Posting 000787.txt from 2004/10

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Teaching with Clarinets
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:44:13 -0400

At 07:46 AM 10/26/2004 -0400, Patricia A. Smith wrote:
>When I substitute teach in the general music class, one thing I notice is
>the general lack of live performing musicians for these children to watch
>and listen to on a daily basis. Kids LOVE not only to perform themselves;
>they also like to see others perform. I love performing as much as I do
>teaching. And for me, music is as much about that as it is about anything
>else.

It is quite amazing the difference between children watching a live
performance and children listening to recording.

Unfortunately, it can be very expensive to bring professional musicians
into the classroom. Both New York and New Jersey have some wonderful
programs to subsidize doing so. My fallback has always been to find the
best high school students and local amateurs (many of which are better than
the professionals). I have to admit I always get a particular kick out of
watching a classroom of students hear their first *real* lead trumpet
player live.

>So...I like to simply pick up my clarinet, once I've answered the usual
>questions, "No, it's not a flute, it 's not a recorder; it's a
>clarinet," *G* and simply play part of the first or third movement of K.
>622. I realize I do not have a piano accompaniment. I also do not always
>have my A clarinet handy. (Yes, sacrilege) I should. (I'll try to
>remember to do so, in the future - especially with the older kids, who
>would understand the distinction.) But THEY LOVE IT! Then we get into
>whose music that was, and where it came from, etc. And guess what? Kids
>like Mozart. Ok, so sue me. :p

And if you want to have some more fun, bring both the A Clarinet and Bb
Clarinet and have them figure out why they look the "same" and yet sound
"different". An elementary physics lesson, free of charge!

There is so much you can teach from the simple question "Why do you have
two clarinets in your case?".

And then there is the bass clarinet (or should I say the "Funny Looking
Black Saxophone"?)...

-Adam

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