Klarinet Archive - Posting 000106.txt from 2008/06

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fbjacobo@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] method books for beginners
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:06:47 -0400

CAUTION!!! These are band books. They are essentially useless for
private lessons. They only cover notes and keys that work with the
particular tune the band is playing. They have virtually no exercises
for the kids to use. They are excellent for band and well designed
for it. Just like a van is well-designed for carting people around
but not that good for parking and maneuvering in a city.

Also, I disagree that beginners must be kept turning pages. I have
never yet had a student quit because they weren't going fast enough
or were bored with their progress. They almost always quit because
they don't want to sit down and practice. Bells and whistles like CDs
aren't going to work for very long. They still will have to practice.
I tell all my beginner students that, "I GUARANTEE" that they will be
first chair within 6 months if they practice as I teach them to (as
long as the first chair players aren't taking lessons - in that case
I tell them that they will be at least first row). **That** keeps
them interested. I also write out some simple solo songs. They don't
have to be pop or rock tunes - just the fact that they are a SOLO is
fun for the kids. Don't sell kids short. They can and will stay
interested (especially if parental 'reminders' are part of the deal).

Finally, I did a pretty exhaustive search about 20 years ago at every
music store in the Baltimore/DC area. There were only 2 or 3 methods
worth the paper they were printed on and Rubank was clearly the best.
Hymie Voxman really was a genius at clarinet pedagogy. Naturally, I
don't use every exercise in them (some are really pedantic) but
picking and choosing is easy enough. Like I said above, I supplement
it with little solos and finally books of beginner solos (such as the
AMSCO series or Mel Bay).

Fred Jacobowitz

Kol Haruach Klezmer Band
Ebony and Ivory Duo

You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note.
~Doug Floyd

On Jun 21, 2008, at 8:42 PM, Glenn Kantor wrote:
>
> The most popular method books now being used are the Accent on
> Achievement series and the Essential Elements series. Both books
> have a cleaner, less cramped layout than Rubank, progress at a
> decent pace and include reinforcing CD's with band accompaniment
> for each exercise and song.
>

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