 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nick Angiolillo
Date: 2003-07-12 05:37
Sorry if this is going to sound a bit rantish or even pointless, but I've been thinking about this for a while and just need some opinions.
I've been playing clarinet for about 10 or 11 months now without any experience on the instrument before starting. My teacher says he's never seen a student progress faster than I have on an instrument. I always felt that I've had a tremendous amount of inherent musical ability that, regretfully, was never really fostered by my parents.
I am getting my braces off in less than a month. I've had them on for four very long years. I've read through countless threads about people having clarinet issues with braces, but none of them seemed to address my concern: what about my teeth? All of the threads I saw involved people worrying what might happen to their tone, but I'm more worried that my teeth will move if I continue to play clarinet without the braces to stop them from moving. For me, these braces have been much more of a time and pecuniary investment for me and my parents than my clarinet playing has been.
I love the clarinet and everything, but I am much more concerned about my teeth. Does the fact that I am more worried about my teeth than my clarinet have some sort of deeper meaning?
In April 2002 I became very interested in cello music and wanted to play the instrument. I rented a cello and had one lesson on the instrument and was extremely excited. Unfortunately, less than a week after my first lesson the instrument dropped and the bridge snapped off in several pieces, the soundpost lost its position, and a few strings became quite mangled. I had to give the instrument back to the rental place for repair and it took them almost a month. By that time it was nearing the end of my Junior year of high school and I had an incredible amount of schoolwork to do, and had no time for the cello.
Ever since then, I told myself I would learn it once I go off to college.. it seemed so far away then. That summer I became interested in clarinet and took it up in the fall.
So here is where I want some help...
I'll be off to Boston University as a freshman this fall. I love making music so much, I think I would become really depressed if I didn't have an instrument to play. Given my situation and my somewhat waning interest in the clarinet, should I try taking up the cello again? My fascination with the cello has not diminished in over a year since I first experienced it. Sometimes I just imagine myself playing the instrument and feel a lot happier and more comfortable with it than I do with the clarinet. I still, however, love the clarinet and clarinet music.
I would also like to know of any teachers in here (specifically, ones at colleges and universities) think it uncommon or strange to be giving lessons to an almost pure beginner in college. I figure I have to start somewhere, and would like to be in the student orchestra at least one year out of college as I have never had any experience playing with other people.
Thank you!
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-07-12 07:06
If you "would like to be in the student orchestra" I suggest you play the cello. There are always far more openings for string players than for wind players.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-07-12 11:22
After having braces, I'm assuming you will have a retainer plate to wear at night (or as often as possible.) This should stop your teeth shifting. I wouldn't let this concern me at all.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-07-12 14:15
Or, to relieve any pressure on the upper teeth, develop a double lip embouchure. Many really good professionals prefer DL over the conventional "teeth on" method because of enhanced tonal quality and tuning flexability. Just a thought.................
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2003-07-12 20:21
Well,
i personally believe that clarinet playing does have a somewhat negative effect on your teeth over a very long time of playing. i used to have 100% perfect teeth(something i was very happy about) after about 17 years of clarinet playing i have found a few of my bottom teeth o have shifted slightly.. now this could just be the normal way of things... or it could be a result of the clarinet... not really sure... and since it has been over such a long period of time(for a rather minor move) it is basically inconsequential either way. the biggest move was by my bottom right incisor.. and it has basicaly twisted an either of a turn.. or so... again.. not a dentist and i have no proof of the clarinets effect on this... just a strong suspician.
as far as playing an instrument in college... they both will most likely be fairly easy to play in non-major ensembles... at oberlin there was a college comunity band that was easy to play in for wind players and a college string orch as well.. so there will b performance opritunities.. never hurts to find a few like-minded friends and play chamber music as well.
so as i said before.. pick which one u lvoe the most and go for it.
hope this helped abit
ciao
bob
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-07-13 04:49
We did have a problem with my son when his braces came off. The teeth were moving in a way the orthodontist did not expect. He wanted to extract unerupted wisdom teeth (he was 14 then) in the hope that this was causing the movement. When I mentioned clarinet playing and explained the pressure involved, he decided that it could be the clarinet doing it. He changed the plastic molded retainers for the traditional wire kind. We took our son to our general dentist for a second opinion (he took the clarinet in and played a bit for her so she could observe the mouth/ teeth position.) She advised wearing the retainer for more hours a day than the ortho required, and for more years afterward. This did the trick, the movement stoped before it became a problem. Five years later he is off of the retainers, plays more than ever, and has a beautiful and functional set of teeth.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-07-13 16:17
I don't know what impact clarinet playing has on teeth. So I can't really give you advice about that. I suspect, however, that it may be unique to the individual.
It sounds to me as though your interest is cello so perhaps you should explore that direction. The only way you can find out whether the Boston University is tolerant of rank beginners is to contact the music department because policy will vary from one university to another (and sometimes one department to another within the university). At Saint Louis University (where I am on the business faculty), the music program is very small, there are only a few majors, the primary performing organization is the pep band (which, until a couple years ago was actually run by the athletic department), and, judging from the comments of my friends in the music department (and my experience sitting in with some of their ensembles when they have been short-handed) most of the private students are beginner to intermediate level.
Based on the web site, it looks to me as though Boston University has a very large music program. In general, for each instrument, they list one or two regular and/or adjunct faculty and some teaching associates. If you study cello there, you probably won't take lessons from Leslie Parnas. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif) On the other hand, in good music education programs, it's common for students to study most all the band and orchestral instruments at least to a level of basic familiarity/proficiency so it would not surprise me if there are some teachers giving elementary lessons. The issue will be whether they accept students from outside the music school. The only way you can find out is to contact them. Frankly, some teachers don't want to be bothered with beginners outside the school. Others are very supportive and think it's cool that someone has an interest in music. Fortunately, there are usually more of the latter than the former. My advice is to contact the school to find out.
A couple of things to keep in mind. (1) Decent cellos cost alot more than decent clarinets. (2) You will probably be busier than you expect during your freshman year, especially if you live on campus. It's amazing how things like laundry suck up your time until you find a routine. I think I almost spent more time my first term running around finding where things were on campus than I did studying. (On the other hand, I was able to find time to practice and perform so you can do it if you're dedicated.)
BTW, congratulations on being accepted to a fine university.
Best regards,
jnk
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