Klarinet Archive - Posting 000134.txt from 2005/05

From: "Dee Flint" <deeflint01@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Rubank Method: not all by Voxman
Date: Fri, 06 May 2005 19:59:05 -0400


----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret Thornhill" <clarinetstudio@-----.net>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2005 11:37 AM
Subject: [kl] Rubank Method: not all by Voxman

> Adam wrote:
>>> The Rubank methods, in my opinion, go much too fast for a rank musical
>>> beginner.
>
> Yes, for woodwind-specific reasons that are solved in part by books like
> Galper's and mine, such as developing a fine legato in the chalumeau
> before moving up.
>

The fault of "going too fast" is often the fault of the instructor. For
example, the Rubank Beginning Method Book is supposed to take 2 years on the
average. That is 1/2 page per week.

> Chuck wrote:
>> If it goes too fast perhaps one should slow down and thoroughly learn
>> each
>> line. Mr. Voxman knew exactly what he was writing in the 30's. >
>
> Fond memories aside, the Rubank books I have in my library (NEW) are still
> edited by:
> (Beginning) Nilo Hovey and (Intermediate--1936) J.E. Skornicka and Robert
> Miller.
> It is the advanced books that were edited by H. Voxman.
>
> The first two books are in desperate need of revision.
>
> Some small examples of why:
>
> Virtually all the melodic material in the Intermediate book is in the form
> of duets. The worst are by Skornicka. Others are by the violinist, Mazas
> (source of many of the Rose Etudes) including one actually called "Danse
> Negre."
>

For clarinet, at least, if one has thoroughly learned what is in the Rubank
Beginning Method book, one can skip the Intermediate entirely and go on to
the Advanced Volume I. What little new material is presented in the
Intermediate book is repeated in the Advanced volumes anyway.

> In a book with fewer than 50 pages, at least five are devoted to trills
> and grace notes, the darlings of the 19th century.(Klose also puts a
> disproportionate, by modern standards, emphasis on ornamentation.) How
> often does a 7th grade player ever hear a "triple grace note" (read that,
> "turn") let alone need to have one ready to improvise?
>

A 7th grader may not need it yet if they are introduced to it then, they
will at least know it exists. Sometimes students become resistant to
learning these things as they get older.

> There are useful technical studies in a variety of keys. There is an
> emphasis on developing staccato and velocity, which the player may or may
> not be ready for.
>

If the student has spent two years in the Rubank beginner book they most
likely will be ready.

> If an intermediate student already has this, I let him use the scale
> studies and fingering chart and cut to the chase by giving him other
> things like the wonderful 60 Rambles (which sadly, are also starting to
> seem a little dated) the Hite books, the Eric Simon pieces, Voxman's own
> duets (which are fine) and as much melodic material of all types as he is
> willing to buy. A good one that came to me recently is the Australian,
> Mark Walton's "66 Great Tunes."
>

I would agree that they need supplemental material as I do have one
criticism of the Rubank books. They are BORING.

> Margaret Thornhill
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~clarinetstudio/

Dee D. Flint

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