 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: GinnyC
Date: 2003-05-01 15:18
Hi,
My daughter has been learning the clarinet for 7 months now (shes 8) and is getting on fairly well but is having a couple of problems which her music teacher is being of little help with. Her teacher constantly tells her that her notes sound flat, particularly the higher notes. Any ideas what she could do to correct this? Also, her teacher has said her enchambre is weak, but hasn't explained what to do about this. Any help would be appreciated as my daughter is really enjoying the clarinet and is being entered for Grade 1 soon. Thanks, Ginny
Ginny
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-01 15:35
Goodness gracious, 8 years old and 7 months into clarinet and she has a weak embochure!! The solution is spelled "p r a c t i c e" which the instructor has probably repeated many times.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msloss
Date: 2003-05-01 18:14
Practice all you want, but if you don't get good instruction on what to practice, it is of little utility. Ginny, the two issues you cited about your daughter's playing are most likely connected. the instructor could definitely do more to coach her on proper embouchere and air support, which will probably fix the pitch problem. Either you or your daughter should just be forthright and ask for that guidance. You are paying for the knowledge and insight of a teacher -- if he/she will not teach, get somebody else.
Also, 8 is very young for clarinet. I imagine your daughter can't even reach all the keys with her pinkies, and her right arm drops below the seat of the chair when holding the instrument. Some aspects of her playing will only come with physical maturity. As long as her lessons are constructive, things will progressively fall into place.
Glad she is enjoying it. Make sure it stays a rich and productive experience for her.
M.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Benni
Date: 2003-05-01 20:26
Her tongue may be too low in the back if just about all the notes are really flat. Thinking of the letter 'd' or 'e' seems to help most people. Also, having the tongue positioned a little higher in the back usually encourages a faster airflow, which is good, too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-05-02 02:02
Pitch will improve with time, and with guidance. Make it more fun and interesting for her by playing music she likes as well. This encourages praciting enough to get to the point where she will begin to form in her mind how the music and pitch should come out....
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
