 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TennesseeClarinet
Date: 2004-05-30 02:00
I would like to learn to play both Clarinet and Saxophone. Own a Buffet E11 Clarinet and a Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Sax.
Which should I try to learn first?
Or is it okay to try both.
I am 52 and like Blues, Jazz, and Country.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-05-30 02:28
I'm afraid trying to learn tenor sax and clarinet at the same time will not work well. Tenor sax requires a very loose embouchure, while clarinet requires a very firm one. I'd recommend getting started on clarinet. You can switch after your clarinet embouchure is solidly in place.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-30 05:08
Also, as far as fingering systems go, I believe (personally) that it's easier to start on clarinet and then switch to sax. Once you learn the clarinet fingering system (where the register key is based on a twelfth instead of an octave), the sax (with an "octave" register key) seems to me to be 'simpler' as far as scales, arpeggios, and just general "notes" go.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Buster Brown
Date: 2004-05-30 11:38
Absolutely the clarinet. There are many saxophone tones that are considered nice/adequate, and even the not so nice ones can be masked by a vibrato. Clarinet requires control, a good embouchure and your fingers actually have to cover the tone holes. By beginning with the saxophone first (easier in my opinion) you will probably develop some bad habits that will make the clarinet more difficult (at least as far as sounding good is concerned).
I assume you can read music.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-05-30 11:56
To be contrary; play both - they require their own disciplines to sound well.
You will find more opportunity to play clarinet in beginner's bands, you may find more interesting charts on the Tenor stand.
Take a few lessons; this will shorten your development time.
Get a comfortable mouthpiece for each (Hite makes nice starter pieces) and try the Legere synthetic reeds - they eliminate the hassles of handling natural cane.
Did I mention lessons?
******
RHYthm is the foundation of music - come in at the right time, even if it's the wrong note.
They're WIND instruments, so blow Mon, BLOW!
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-05-30 14:08
I learned to play clarinet first (it was ~45 years ago but I remember it well) and I think it would have been more difficult for me if I had learned sax first. I added the sax a few years later and it was quite easy. Since we are all different, I do not suggest that what worked for me is the best way for you.
The sax will probably give you more early satisfaction: it tends to squeak less; there are fewer keys to operate; and the register key (as pointed out by Alexi above) is an octave key, which is a bit simpler when learning.
On the other hand, it may take longer for a beginner to produce a good tone on a sax than on a clarinet and a tenor sax requires stronger lungs than a clarinet.
The weight of a tenor sax can cause neck problems so you may want to look at upgrading the neck strap to one that puts the weight on your shoulders instead of your neck.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-05-30 16:22
SB,
I tend to agree with you on doing both at the same time but a strict regimen with a good teacher will be necessary. Tennessee is a mature learner who may be able to profit from learning the different embouchures and differences right from the beginning. Perhaps two weeks on clarinet then two weeks on sax and then alternate with shorter times as proficiency developes.
I have done this type teaching with several studeunts and once one gets over the mental "switch" that has to happen sometime in the future anyhow, things seem to fall easily into place.
But as stated earlier, a good teacher and a solid plan are paramount.
HRL
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-05-30 21:58
I learned clarinet first but moved (for a brief simultaneous period) to sax because one was needed in some band music. I had no problem working with either simultanteously ... so what if the emboucher's different, had no bearing on my playing of either instrument.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2004-05-31 01:51
I'm not a teacher, but my clarinet and sax teacher always recommends learning the clarinet first to a certain level of compentency and then adding the sax. His reasoning is that the clarinet is more difficult to learn partly because of the register of 12th, rather than just fingering octaves pretty much the same. Plus we have more alternate fingerings, in my opinion.
Also, I have found that learning sax comes pretty darn easy once you know the clarinet. He's had students in the past who learned sax first and then added clarinet and, in his experience, it was aways more difficult for them that way and he states that they struggled more with learning the clarinet later and often gave it up. I respect his opinion.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-05-31 02:19
Hi Pam,
To "always recommend" as your teacher advises is "not always a good thing." Tennessee is, as I stated, a mature learner who appears to be up to asking "Or is it okay to try both?" One must consider the motivational level of the learner in such situations. There seems to be a desire and Tennessee has excellent instruments to begin on. Combine those two items with tutelage by an experienced teacher and a win-win situation is very possible.
I have seem HS students accomplish the same thing easily in just a few weeks (or sooner). Some people are just plain driven; I love to work with those type students.
There is no mystique about learning the clarinet first! If the same logic really held, then we should all learn bassoon or maybe oboe first. Now there's a challenge (and a lot of fun - bassoon is a real gas BTW).
HRL
Post Edited (2004-05-31 11:54)
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Author: TennesseeClarinet
Date: 2004-05-31 12:15
Thank you for all your comments. I think I am going to try to continue to try to learn both together.
Here are the reasons:
1. I am doing this for fun not to be a pro. I primarily play by myself with play along CD's which aren't very demanding. Stuff like Stormy Weather or Sentimental Journey from a Karaokee collection.
2. It is kind of fun to experience the change from one instrument to the other. Things like resistance, response, tone etc.
3. The human mind (even mine) is a wonderful creation. We can learn different languages and adapt from one to the other. I make my living writing computer programs, and have to adapt every day to a different computer language and environment. So why not adapt to a different instrument? True if I were trying to perform professionally there would be a risk, but there is not.
Wish a good teacher like some of you must be were in this area, but I live in a rural area where the Guitar is king.
Thanks again for your input.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-05-31 12:45
TNClari -
The guitar is King, everywhere.
Even Hank Wms had horns backing up his records (if he didn't tour with'm)
Just be prepared for a few loops in the code, and extensive debug sessions.
Now blow Mon, BLOW!
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Author: John_May
Date: 2004-05-31 14:34
I think that's a good decision. When I was learning Alto, I had a few difficulties because I was trying to play Clarinet with a Sax in my hands. Confusing. If you get too used to one, my experience is that it's hard to change your habits. Good luck.
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