 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bartmann
Date: 2009-08-07 14:29
Several years ago I started to learn flute and I was amazed at how quickly I progressed. Granted Clarinet was my first instrument, so learning a second harmonic woodwind should be easier because I was adding to prior knowledge.
In general I think my progress on flute was easier than the clarinet because I could play the flute for hours, even when I was first learning. My embouchure never dies when I play the flute. And because the flute is a reedless instrument, that is a whole area of obsession that is avoided. I was able to make good progress on flute because I could spend so much time playing in.
Several months ago I bought a plastic Baroque flute. It is a simple instrument without keys or rings. I keep this permanently set up in home. So during the day or at odd moments of the morning or evening I pick up this flute and play it. I focus on tonal development, scales, arpeggios - trying to make them musical- and I play tunes from memory or by figuring them out aurally. I don't usually play with sheet music with this flute because it is more of a supplement to my regular practice.
As a result of having this flute set up and always available, I've added several hours of play time to my week.
I'm thinking of doing the same with the clarinet: I'll buy a plastic Yamaha with a Legere reed and just set it up next to my flute. Granted it will not sound as good as my pro horn with fine tuned set-up, but being able to pick up and play the clarinet, even in a very casual way, will certainly add more time in the saddle.
Bartmann
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-08-07 15:29
I've tried that, but found that the Legere warps at the tip and becomes useless after about a month. Take the reed off after a playing session, which prevents that and also keeps crud from building up on the bottom and in the mouthpiece.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-08-07 16:30
As far as keeping an instrument together all the time, I would think with regular swabbing the only fear would be compressed cork. At the tenons.
Alexi
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-08-09 06:39
I usually have a Bundy set up all the time. The only thing I do is remove the mouthpiece.
I had initially left the mouthpiece on the instrument, but after a few weeks the 24/7 exposure to air had started to make the rubber smell too strong.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-08-09 07:39
My practice clarinet is a 1950's era Evette & Schaeffer. I keep it set up on a stand in my studio and rarely ever take it apart, unless I need to take it to play an outdoor gig in questionable weather.
If I do need to change any of the tenon corks (which I do myself) due to being compressed for long periods, I find that to be a very small price to pay for the convenience of having a clarinet assembled and ready to go 24/7.
BTW - the clarinet is now over 50 years old - the keywork has held up well and the clarinet has never cracked - even with only occasional swabbing after playing.
...GBK
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