 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JMCraig
Date: 2003-08-23 17:47
Hi Folks,
I've got a nine year-old who's always interested when I get out my clarinet--she always wants to "try to make a noise." The real problem with doing anything halfway toward learning to really play for her is that her fingers won't cover the holes (and even reaching the holes is a stretch).
A neighbor who's a clarinetist at the local university suggested a C clarinet. I've corresponded with the guy who makes the Lyons C clarinet (in the UK--sort of an especially for kids design); I've seen info on the Kinder Clari (which is a modified Eb, I guess). Then, I suppose, there's a regular Eb that I could rent from a local store for her to try.
Anyone tried any of these approaches with kids? Opinions & experiences most appreciated
o "Regular" C Clarinet
o Lyons C Clarinet
o Kinder Clari
o Regular Eb
Thanks!
John
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-08-23 18:26
Before my hands were large enough to work a Bb Clarinet, I learned basic fingering on an eight-hole fippled instrument. Anything from an old Tonette to an ocarina to a recorder of the appropriate size can do that job.
Sure, required embouchure will come as a bit of a surprise when the Clarinet mouthpiece is tried for the first time, but most of the fingers will already know what to do.
Regards,
John
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Author: R13A
Date: 2003-08-23 23:29
A 'C' clarinet should be ideal. According to Francois Klock of Buffet, the majority of C clarinets produced by Buffet (E11's) are made for the European market. Seemingly in Europe, many beginners start out on the C clarinet for the reason of easier fingering.
My C is quite free blowing (Leblanc) and as you may know, the C takes a regular Bb size mouthpiece.
An Eb clarinet may be too restrictive for a young child to blow....unless teh notes played are from an open G downward.
d
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-08-25 03:06
I think that recorder is an ideal starter instrument for younger kids. Just let them learn to finger the thing, read music and play by ear--without having to deal with the baggage of tone production with reeds.
A C clarinet of any kind seems like a great first move up. Not only is it physically easier to handle, but it gives the player a concert pitch instrument which saves the player from the additional baggage of having a transposing instrument and the limited repertoire that goes along with it.
The most difficult thing is the expense of buying more than one clarinet over the course of 3 or 4 years. But, a piano would've been much more expensive...
Allen Cole
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-08-25 11:35
Young German system players learn on Eb or C kinder models so I suppose the Boehm options would be the same. Kids grow fairly quick so I would pursue the rental option as it is probably not worthwhile buying a kinder klari.
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Author: connie
Date: 2003-08-25 22:44
As I understand it, the kinder-clari is not a Boehm-system instrument. I would second the suggestion of starting with a recorder...that's how I started and had no trouble switching to the clarinet fingerings. It also helped me when I decided to go over to the dark side and play sax!
FWIW, when my daughter wanted to try to play, her hands were too small for the Bb clarinet. I did have a C clarinet that she was able to hold and finger easily. She also has played recorder, which was a logical extension from the song flute/flutophone thing that all public school kids in our area learn in the fourth grade.
connie
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-08-26 03:46
There are also some "plateau" keyed models which can come in handy for smaller hands, and they're Bb so that unless the kid is unusually peer-influenced, they can keep playing them in band for years to come. Well, unless they need to play the Rhapsody in Blue gliss. 
Katrina
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