 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2003-11-18 16:50
Are any of you folks teaching private lessons to adults - or are you yourself taking lessons? I am looking for adult lesson materials - ones that do not insult an adult's intellegence.
There have been threads about this before, and it sounds like most use books like Klose', or the Rubank books. Here is my frustration: why are we stuck with using methods that are generations old? I mean, the Rubank books were being used well before I was young....a long time ago. Where are the new methods that are good for adults taking privately? Granted, the Klose', Langenus, and Lazerus books are excellent, but you have to wonder where the new methods are? I have ordered the Galper books which have been recommended here.
What do you use?
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-11-18 17:59
As a beginner I used Peter Wastall's book. It isn't specifically for adults, but progresses at a realistic speed and contains recognisable tunes rather than endless mechanical exercises. It goes up to grade 3 of the UK exam system: Finzi's "Carol" is at the end of the book.
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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: Tom A
Date: 2003-11-18 22:00
Hello John,
Try this site. The books were co-written by a colleague at a school where I teach. It's different to most I've worked with. For younger students who've played for a while I usually start them mid- to late-book 1. I haven't had adult students for a while, but it might be worth a look as the pieces are original compositions and quite idiomatic for the instrument.
http://www.abbadabba.net/products/teacherontap/
Cheers.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-18 22:14
Hi 1066,
That link is certainly good ... looks like a great concept. My problem is that I just won't teach children ... I don't have the stamina or patience. I've been asked to take on a couple of adult students of late and I'm seriously looking at what is a suitable book for teaching clarinet to adults that doesn't involve endless pages of annoying nursery tunes, et cetera.
Any other teachers out there with good ideas about books for adults that won't bore then mouthpieceless? Thanks. GBK, hint, hint, what do you teach adults using?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-11-19 01:44
Practically all the adult students I have had in recent years have had some prior clarinet background and are returning to the instrument to have fun, relaxation and enjoyment in their later years.
Thus, it is most important to discuss with the adult student where their particular interest lies. Do they want to learn the classic standard literature? dabble in jazz? play the hits of Benny Goodman? learn the standards? etc...
As an example, I presently am doing beginning jazz (studies and rhythms) and improvisation with one adult, while with another we are going through many of the ballads and standards of the 30's and beyond, and with a third student we are taking a more formal approach to the clarinet with selected etudes, duets, finger training and solos.
As I have never found one method which satisfies all needs, I usually just comb my library and pull out whatever we need at the time.
All adults seem to generally enjoy duet playing, so I dwell heavily on that aspect. Also, play-along CD's (Ellington, jazz, ballads, standards) are extremely beneficial for counting, soloing and building confidence.
The teacher who simply just puts a Klosé book on the stand and says "Let's start at page 1", will quickly lose any prospective adult student.
Be flexible - listen to their wants -
They are coming to you to unwind after a long day of working. They are not trying to get to Carnegie Hall. Be patient - Have fun ...GBK
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Author: glin
Date: 2003-11-19 03:50
johng,
GBK makes a good point. Have you talked to your teacher about what your expectations and interests are? It would be a good start point, if not done already.
I talked to an adult beginner who recently switched teachers because of this-her goals and expectations could be better met via a switch in teachers.
I'm afraid I don't have any easy answers on the method books. I'll go out on a limb and assume you are referring to the elementary/intermediate/advanced Rubanks.
My two cents is that the Rubanks can be a little stale. If your skill level is up there and you like classical studies, try the Melodious and Progressive studeis edited by David Hite. You can always mix up duets, Klose/Baermann scale works, and a solo piece to give the lesson variety. Scales can be boring-you might try the Stievenard (spelling?) book of scales for variety. They offer different variety of rhythm patterns for each scale. Discuss with your teacher for advice.
If your skill level isn't advanced up to this point, hang in there and persevere. Rome wasn't built in a day. Progress with your lessons and soon, those books I mentioned will be there waiting for you.
Good luck,
George
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Author: jo.clarinet
Date: 2003-11-19 11:07
Hi johng!
I'm a self-taught adult clarinet player, and when I started I used and enjoyed the following books:
Learn as you Play Clarinet - Peter Wastall (who incidentally was my flute teacher in the late 60s/early 70s!) (Boosey & Hawkes)
Enjoy playing the Clarinet - Ruth Bonetti (OUP)
First book of Clarinet solos - ed. John Davies & Paul Reade (Faber)
Rhythm & Rag for Clarinet - Alan Haughton (ABRSM publishing)
Blue Clarinet - James Rae (Universal)
40 Modern Studies for Solo Clarinet - James Rae (Universal)
The last one, the 40 Studies, is really good, with studies from beginner level to Grade 7. I've only just finished with it, having used the "Hard Rock Blues" for my recent Grade 7 exam.
Hope this is some help to you!
Joanna Brown
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-11-20 00:14
I currently have half a dozen adult students, one clarinet the others saxophone. Finding material is always a headache. Currently with the sax students I am working through a lot of James Rae material which seems to hold their interest. There are duets and studies which are based on cliches but extremely well written, especially his 2 part writing, great voice leading. With adult students duets are most useful as they put playing into some type of real time context, younger student's minds are more attuned to learning for its own sake. These are also available in a clarinet, and I think flute, permutations. It is a good idea to keep your eye out for new releases by music publishers and regularly check out these new releases for teaching material. Clarinet is often problematic in this regard. The technique and teaching methods are more 'traditional' than saxophone and much teaching material suffers in this way. I also find that it is often more difficult maintaining 'time on task' with adult students. Conversationally they are more similar in age to the teacher so I would be wary of small talk.
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Author: george
Date: 2003-11-20 00:39
I am most definitely an adult student. I played clarinet and sax in college, quit, and returned to the clarinet a couple of years ago(I am 69 years old.). While I am certainly not as good as some of my teacher's young students (but better than some, I daresay), I think I want about what they do--simply to learn to get better at playing the clarinet. I take my lessons seriously and am not looking to be "entertained" or otherwise amused. My teacher is a fairly young guy who is quite at ease teaching someone as old as I, and I just try to do what he says. It is not at all clear to me that "older" students need any sort of special handling.
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-11-20 02:43
I am an adult student as well. I have good weeks and bad weeks as far as practice goes. I am a tinkerer by nature and that hurts me sometimes in trying new gear etc. I try to keep MY goal in mind which is to play my part in band better. I am better than I was but still have a ways to go. We do use standard classical fare to reinforce the concepts.
A few months ago someone posted this link http://www.musicalfossils.com/ it is very interesting look at adults taking piano lessons. I'm sure you can transfer some of these ideas to clarinet playing. I have.
Post Edited (2003-11-20 02:43)
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2003-11-20 18:45
After a year of playing, adult students have a more realistic idea of what they can accomplish and what pleases them musically.
Show your student many method books and have them pick the one they like the most. Since they'll be the ones spending the most time with the book they should be the ones who choose it.
Post Edited (2006-03-06 18:19)
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2003-11-20 20:01
Thanks for your comments everyone.
To George: Thank you especially for your comments. My point about music is my desire not to push outdated, or worse, childish materials at adult learners. As to being treated differently, I recently read some thoughts about this in a 2002 article in Business Week: 1) Adults can get frustrated because unlike kids who compare only to each other, they compare themselves to the professional recording stars they have heard so long. 2) Adults have a much more sophisticated understanding of music built over a long time of listening. 3) For adults, the musical journey is almost as important as the final destination. With that in mind, I think adults deserve teaching and materials that are focused on their needs. It seems to me that is what was said by several people who responded to this question.
Thanks, John
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