 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-07-24 12:19
Hello folks,
Ive been asked to participate in an "instrument petting zoo" where children get to see and TRY the different instruments. basically they get to try and make a sound come out of the clarinet and i have to show them how to blow thru the horn correctly.
But ... my only experience with children are my own neices and it took a few lessons for ME to find how best to explain to them 'how' to put their mouth on the mouthpiece correctly etc ...
im just a bit nervous. im pretty shy and quiet myself but if you heard me play music and not talk you might get the impression that im more outgoing than i really am.
i have always wanted to work with children, teaching clarinet so this will be a good experience for me - any advice on how to handle it, what to say to the kids. do i change the reed each time a different child wants to try .. etc...
thanks, janlynn
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-07-24 14:43
Use an old mouthpiece and a soft reed (earplugs might be a good accessory). You will want to get a sanitizing spray and spray after every childs use. Young kids learn better with mimicking what you do as opposed to you trying to explain it to them. I would tell (then show) them that they need to curl their lips over their teeth especially for the bottom teeth. When you show them this over-exaggerate when you look at them and don't do it with the clarinet in your mouth. The only reason I would have them do double lip is because it avoids damage from teeth and it is really easy to explain in few words. I'm not an advocate of double lip but you said this is a demonstration not a lesson right? They should be able to get a sound and feel the 'tickle' which will make you a hero.
Have fun!
Jerry McD.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2002-07-24 15:02
Letting the kids actually play any instrument is quite exciting for both the child and yourself. As a Mom of 4 children, I know that they LOVE to just be able to make a sound - the more adventurous will try to play different notes the first time they play. So make it as easy as possible for them to just make sounds. Tone matters little in this case. Make a big deal of whatever reasonable sound is actually produced, and your reward is to see their faces light up! They love to see the antics of adults, especially in response to something they've done.
However, in this day and age you must think of hygiene. Even if you think the clarinet isn't at fault, you could be accused later by the parents of infecting their youngsters with some germ or other from the mouthpiece. You have to have some way of sterilizing both the mouthpiece and reed between players. (Use this ritual of brief swishing and drying as part of your antics, as if it were a solemn ceremony to honour the next child, or however your personality lets you do this. They'll be more forgiving of the short time it takes.) Our local school had a pail of sterilizing solution for the kids to use before exchanging instruments. I suggest asking a school or music store for the recommended solution to use.
Secondly, use a mouthpiece for beginners and a softer reed. You could even think of using a plastic clarinet (a wooden clarinet is more difficult to play), anything so that the child will have more success with their fledgling efforts. Initial disappointment could mean that they never try the clarinet again.
Another idea - since you play pretty well yourself, keep your instrument beside you, and when a child is getting frustrated, pick yours up and make some outrageous noise on it, even making some silly faces. Play a "noise duet" and have some laughs together. That will lighten the mood considerably.
Working with kids is very rewarding, so go ahead. Within the reasonable and safe limits noted above, let go and have a ball with them!
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Author: John Moses
Date: 2002-07-24 15:03
Hi Janlynn:
I've been there many times.
1. use a good oral disinfectant (music store or drug store),
VERY IMPORTANT!!
2. use an old, fairly open mouthpiece (one you don't mind losing).
3. use older, soft reeds (ones that will be broken by accident).
4. be patient.
5. be enthusiastic!!!
Have fun,
JJM
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2002-07-24 17:45
Janlynn --
(Some of what I'm writing here assumes you're in a school setting.)
If you can afford it, I think you should put a new reed on each time you have a new player. The hard rubber or plastic mouthpiece MAY be "sterilized" sufficiently by spraying/dipping and wiping dry, but the reed is an absorbent material and may not be. Plus, it may absorb some of the sterilizing liquid; some of those are not recommended for oral use.
One advantage of this is that each child gets a "souvenir" of their clarinet playing. As a famous (in their eyes, certainly) clarinetist, you might even sign the reed. (You might be able to get some free--or lower cost--reeds from the local school or music store if you explain what you are doing. Or you could ask the teacher/organizer to ask.)
The disadvantage (besides cost) is the time it takes to disassemble and reassemble the mouthpiece/reed (although it makes it easier to clean and dry it). If you have two old mouthpieces and a clarinet playing friend, you could have him/her prepare one mouthpiece/reed while you are working with a child with the other mouthpiece. And then switch mouthpieces for the next child while your friend "reloads."
You also might want to have the children try just the mouthpiece/reed (or add the barrel for easier handling) before they try to play the clarinet. That way they can concentrate first on getting a sound (like a duck?) or sounds (a musical duck?) without having to think about how to hold the whole clarinet and where to put their fingers.
You say you haven't worked much with kids; this should be a fun experience for them AND you. Working with a group is different than working with someone individually. The kids will definitely be excited and because of that perhaps a little unruly (depending on their ages). Your first task may be to get them seated and quiet (perhaps by playing a couple of songs for them) and then set the ground rules for how they are going to come up one at a time and play. Depending on how much supervision there is by other adults that day, you may have a chance to find your tolerance level for noise and chaos. Just remember that you're in charge. You can be firm without being mean and the kids will be fine with that. They will want to try playing and so will be motivated to follow the rules.
Be organized and have a plan, but be flexible and adapt to the situation as it develops and you and the kids will have fun. I still chuckle about the time I took a bugle into a middle school class (as part of a unit on sound) to let them try playing it. Some could get a sound, some couldn't. But we were all amazed when the smallest girl in the class just blew Gabriel-like blasts that filled the room.
Have fun,
Todd W.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2002-07-24 18:31
Bring a mirror.
Show them how to set the embouchure by going it yourself.
Then let them try with the help ofthe mirror, they'll see what they don't do well much faster.
-S
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-07-24 19:14
Thank You so much for all the advice everyone. You gave me some great ideas!
janlynn
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-07-24 22:21
Take lots of extra reeds. Begginers have knack for snagging them on anything in sight. Also test all the reeds before hand and "doctor" them if needed so they will all speak easily.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-07-24 22:52
One of my old tricks with prospective beginning clarinetists might work for you. Most kids will be able to produce an open G right away--don't expect a lot, just a "sound." After that, turn the mouthpiece around so that it is backwards, have the child hold on to the barrel and "blow the note" while you finger a few "fast" notes for them. You will probably even be able to go into the upper register. I used to do a few bars of the "Clarinet Polka"--the kids always thought it "cool." Explain that the longer and steadier they hold the "sound", the more notes you can play. Great fun for them and for the students waiting in line. Above all, be positve with everyone and have a lot of fun.
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Author: catina
Date: 2002-07-25 00:04
I really like Todd's idea of "reed souvenirs."
I usually have the child hold the barrel and just blow; getting a sound out is the highlight for most of them.
BUT, you can have an advanced student (if you get one, and you have time) play "hot cross buns" E-D-C E-D-C C-C-C-C D-D-D-D E-D-C.
"E" is a good first note to learn because it easier to stabilize the clarinet than "G" I always find this to be a big hit.
I was nervous the first time working with a group of children too, but I found the individual attention of a petting zoo setting less intimidating than talking to a classroom (which also got easier after the first time). Establish some rules in the beginning such as: no grabbing or touching the clarinet while you or others are playing and no talking while you are talking, etc.
Good luck and have fun!
Catina
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