 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: proclarinet
Date: 2007-06-21 01:43
I'm teaching two beginners right now, both of whom are having a hard time with getting over the break. I do the sort of thing where I have them start on open G and go up to C, playing each note slowly and focusing on air as they go up, but it's not working so well. Any suggestions on what else I might have them do to improve it?
Also, other than Benny Goodman, are there any suggestions out there for "fun" professional clarinet players I could recommend for students to listen to? The girls I teach both just finished 5th grade and I want them to be exposed to good clarinet playing and hopefully keep them interested in what they're doing.
Thanks!
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Author: FDF
Date: 2007-06-21 02:05
Have your girls listen to Emma Johnson. I think she would be quite inspiration for young women. http://www.zadok.demon.co.uk/
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-06-21 02:40
play low c down to low e, one note at a time, then do the same with the 12th key open. or open the 12th key when they get to the bottom e. they can practice 12ths. they can listen to pete fountain (dixieland) or sabine meyer (classical). clarinet evergreens quintet is good and fun. andy firth (australian guy) has a clarinet choir cd out in which he plays all the voices. He was very entertaining at clarinetfest last year.
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Author: chocolat87
Date: 2007-06-21 03:05
For bass clarinet, try Michael Lowenstern's "Ten Children" cd - very catchy
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-06-21 04:18
i teach them first space F, down to low F, with a Bb.
then a one octave ascending F scale starting on the low F.
then have them add the register key and play the same fingerings to get the 2nd octave of the C scale out.
once thats accomplished, i give them a page of 12th studies.
i don't use the term 'register break' with students.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Jacqueline
Date: 2007-06-21 07:28
Eddie Daniels - He's got a great sound and plays great music! His 5 Seasons is definitely worth a listen.
As for going over the break - the best thing to get them to do is, as claritoot26 suggested, low C-B-C-A-C-G-C-F-C-E. Try this again from D, then from E, F, G, A and Bb. Make sure you get them to look in the mirror at their left hand while playing throat A/Bb to low F/E. Their left hand should remain down while playing A/Bb but their remaining left hand fingers should be hovering as close to the tone holes as possible. Even get them to stretch their pinky finger to cover the low E/ClarionB left hand long key while playing a and Bb - this will help to get their fingers in the right position. Once they can do all that, just get them to open the register key and repeat all the above.
Good luck!
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Author: allencole
Date: 2007-06-22 05:57
A lot of the problem going over the break is how they handle the A key. Two suggestions:
1 - E-A-E-A-E (first line E, second space A) This is the signature lick from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", and this fact carries some value in terms of getting them to pracdtice. Make sure they slur it so that any fingering problems are exposed. If they can slur it smoothly at decent speed, they've probably learned how to correctly share their left index finger between the A key and the E ring.
2 - C-B-C, C-B-A-B-C, C-B-A-G-A-B-C - With the first C being the one on the third space. Reaching from B to A and then jumping right back to B is very good practice.
If they're not quite ready for #2, I liked the above suggestion about learning the low F scale, and then simply doing it with the register key down.
Good luck.
Allen Cole
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2007-06-22 14:03
Abe Galper's Method books recommend first of all getting an excellent grasp on the lower register. Then there are exercises in playing one of the familiar low notes and simply pressing the octave key.
Sometimes the student "prepares" for the higher note by stiffening up and biting down, so it can be enlightening for them if you ask them to play the lower note and then (after letting them know what you're going to do) YOU reach over and just press the octave key. That way they know that there's no need to do any strange adjustments in their embouchure in order to have that note come out.
A huge deterrent to having success in this area is if any of the lower pads don't seal properly. The notes won't play clearly if at all, and there'll be a lot of frustration. So be sure the clarient plays easily.
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-06-23 19:53
I'd play some Eddie Daniels for them. Breakthrough is a good start - Vic Matson told me that Eddie though he was nominated for a Grammy award, only broke even on that album.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-06-23 20:17
musiciandave wrote:
> I'd play some Eddie Daniels for them. Breakthrough is a good
> start -
Breakthrough has been out of print for quite a while. Used, mint copies have been found on Amazon from private sellers ...GBK
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2007-06-23 23:09
"I do the sort of thing where I have them start on open G and go up to C, playing each note slowly and focusing on air as they go up"
First off, avoid the word "up" like the plague when teaching the break. Make a very big point of indicating to your students WHERE on the clarinet the B and C are. They're all the way DOWN. Have them focus on blowing air to the key the right pinky is pressing down, rather than to what's further up than A, which is the octave key. If their air stops there, they'll have trouble.
Try this: When they go over the break, press your finger down on their right pinky. The first couple times, it'll probably throw them off, but if you are insistent (and if their instruments are in good repair), it can be a great help.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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