 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MusicMom
Date: 2004-08-13 17:30
Hello again clarinetists. I appreciate the suggestions for beginning materials for my dd, but I think that at this stage, the Klosé book seems a bit daunting. Does anyone have any other suggestions for beginning books that will certainly include a full chromatic scale fingering chart? DD has learned 3 or 4 scales in the past couple of days, but she knows she needs to learn all the notes. Plus, it would be nice to have some general tips re. intonation et al. plus the usual reminders re. cleaning and caring for the instrument.
We have the instrument, a cleaning swab thingy, a case, reeds, reed case, music stand (from before), and cork grease, and I am planning on ordering a proper stand with the book (which you are going to suggest :-), and then we'll see from there.
By the way, what exactly *is* cork grease? and is there a cheap substitute, and, can you use it too much?
Thanks for letting me play 20 questions here. Your help is wonderful!
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-08-13 17:53
May I suggest the Rubank Elementary & Rubank Intermediate books? I personally really like working with these books.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-08-13 17:59
The Rubank Elementary and Intermediate books should not be too daunting, even for an absolute beginner. Don't show the Intermediate book for a while, though. A quite good fingering chart (copyright 1933, printed both sides, for Boehm and Albert Clarinets) comes with the Elementary book.
Every Clarinet player (yes, you too, Larry) should have a copy of David Pino's book, *The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing*. IMO, you should read it yourself, then prescribe readings to the student as you believe they would be helpful. YMMV.
This stuff (and a zillion other printed materials of interest to us) can be bought from Van Cott Information Services, a BB sponsor. That's where I buy mine. Van Cott's total catalog price for all three of these books is $19.95.
Regards,
John
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Author: Camanda
Date: 2004-08-13 18:07
Yes, you can use cork grease too much. Its purpose is to keep the tenon corks on the mouthpiece and the two parts with keys (upper and lower joints, they're sometimes called) from drying out and needing to be replaced, and to get the parts to go into each other smoothly without a need for lots of force. The most adverse effect of too much cork grease is the clarinet falling apart while it's being played. I grease the corks once a week by running the tube around the cork once and rubbing the grease into the cork with my finger. Substitutes? I can safely say no to Vaseline, but I've never heard of a replacement for cork grease anyway.
Amanda Cournoyer
URI Clarinet Ensemble, Bass Clarinet
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-08-13 18:18
Oops, I forgot to mention:
Cork grease is grease for corks. Sounds stupid, but there are so many different types, many of which are pretty bad for cork, that it's not possible to offer a generic technical description.
Cheap substitutes? I know people who have used ChapStick, lanolin, lipstick, olive oil, and others. One clarinet player I once knew used something that smelled like rancid suet. He said proudly that he made it himself. Yuck. Splurge, and buy some from Dr. Omar Henderson at "The Dostor's Products," a BB sponsor. The Doc makes very good stuff. I am (as many others are) convinced it is the least likely to damage your instrument.
Yes, you can apply too much cork grease. But it's not a problem, as you can use a tissue to wipe off the excess. Best plan is to apply enough to slightly cover the cork, put the mating section on the tenon, and see if it goes on easily. Judge what is needed by feel. It isn't too hard to tell.
Regards,
John
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-08-13 18:26
MusicMom,
Cork grease is much cheaper than new corks, which you will need if a joint jams from lack of lubrication, and a tube lasts a long time. It also protects the cork from saliva, which will eventually cause it to break down.
Use the smallest amount needed so that the instrument can be assembled without stressing it. If it comes out between the joints there is way too much.
I seem to remember reading that Mark C. greases his clarinet after playing it so that he doesn't have cork grease on his fingers every time he starts to play. That might be a good habit to get into.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-08-13 18:48
Hi, MusicMom -
I'd like to add a word of admiration along with those who have already applauded you for your supportive role in your daughter's interest in music and clarinet playing. Many of us here would love to have such a history.
It looks to me, from your list of thingys, that your daughter has everything she needs. She's already learned some scales so, we know she's a fast learner. I think I would emphasize Playing. If you know another person around her age who plays clarinet, perhaps you could invite that person over to play some duets (any treble cleff duets will do, flute, trumpet, saxophone, etc.) I guarantee she'll learn as much from that experience as she would from a paid "professional" teacher. Most beginner method books have a fingering chart or do a search of "Clarinet Fingering Chart" on the web and several will turn up.
I've heard that some folks use Chapstick or Crisco when regular cork grease is unavailable. Personally, I'd stick to regular cork grease if at all possible. [Doc Henderson's "Dr. Slick" is by far the best I've ever used and use it almost exclusively... and he doesn't pay me to say that  ].
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Sheila-music_lover
Date: 2004-08-13 20:12
Thanks for your encouragement of *my* encouragement! Both my hubby and I would have benefited greatly from the type of encouragement we try to give our dd, so that has probably spurred us on to try to do better. It ain't always perfect! But we do try to encourage any signs of interest and talent, and certainly to reward effort and diligence - that just seems to make good sense, and follows pretty much the good ol' "Golden Rule" which stems from Jesus' command to love others as we love ourselves. We are all pretty good at looking out for ourselves, sometimes it is harder to do the same for others.
It is great watching budding interest become new ability and to see that grow. This board sure is a great place to get wisdom and encouragement in this pursuit.
Regards,
MM
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-13 22:52
You can use just about any lubricant as "cork grease" but save your energy for other things and just go ahead and purchase "The Doctor's" stuff....along with his other products too. The superiority of his products is probably the only thing all experienced posters here agree upon.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-08-14 06:25
I think that your best option is to get a private teacher and let him or her put your child in the materials that are normally a part of the curriculum.
I agree that Klose is a bit daunting, but I think it's a mistake to rely too heavily on one book alone. One of the newer band methods with accompaniment CD's such as Standard of Excellence might do just as well, and its fingering information is simpler and more sensible than that of Rubank Elementary.
Instead of expecting your method book to be an entire curriculum in and of itself, consider getting a separate songbook such as "Tunes for Clarinet Technic" [sic] from WB/Belwin's Student Instrumental Course. I also suppliment lesson literature with the Master Theory Workbook which does a great job of teaching rhythm and counting. If scales and counting are successful, a simple duet book like Yamaha's can also be incorporated.
Another suggestion would be to have her try and play some songs by ear as part of her scale study. Songs used should meet the following requirements:
1 - She knows them well enough to hum them
2 - YOU know them well enough to hum them
3 - They contain only major scale notes--no accidentals (at first)
4 - Notes are mostly adjacent to each other with a minimum of jumps
My personal favorites for new students are:
The First Noel - starts on 3rd note of the scale. Only a couple of jumps
My Country Tis of Thee - starts and ends on 1st note of scale
Joy to the World - Starts with a descending major scale
Ode to Joy - states on 3rd note of scale. Only 2 jumps, I think, and they occur in the same place.
If there is trouble going over the break, Jingle Bells and Twinkle Twinkle only need 5 and 6 pitches respectively.
I find that weaving your way through The First Noel or My Country Tis helps to solidify those scales, and gives the student a lot more motivation than a bunch of pattern exercises. When doing this, it also helps for the student to alternate trys at the song with a refresher run on the scale involved.
An alternative method book of some value is the "Tune A Day" series. I can't remember the publisher--Shawnee Press? In "Tune A Day" many of the pieces have a harmony part for the instructor to play. I switched to this for a while of out disatisfaction with Rubank Elementary, but have now found "Standard of Excellence" to do a good job (particularly with the accompaniment CD cracking the whip) supplimented by other things. Songbooks such as the "Tunes for Technic" series help to build the student's base of common knowledge in addition to providing them with playing problems to solve.
Here's an example of where songs make great exercises. I give my first-year students the theme from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." Playing that signature lick with the throat E and A slurred forces them to use that left index finger properly--all while they play something that's recognizable, modern, and downright EDGY. It also gives me a chance to point out that the star of those spaghetti westerns (Clint Eastwood) is a very good pianist in real life.
I hope that some of these suggestions help. Even so, every good private instructor has his/her own bag of tricks, based on their years of experience both playing and teaching. I suggest that you consider taking your child to one. It can be difficult to be both parent and music teacher to your child, even if you are an accomplished musician.
Allen Cole
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-08-14 11:04
Hi,
Yes, the Tune a Day is an old favorite that goes pretty far back. IMHO, having students be able to play a song is a strong motivator. Couple that will the Rubank book and you have a pretty good combination.
HRL
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-08-14 12:48
The David Hite etude series is interesting, but it helps to have some guidance from a teacher.
The "Music minus One" books allow a player to toot along with a recorded band, which can be fun.
Chapstick makes excellent cork grease.
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Author: Tara
Date: 2004-08-14 19:58
I highly recommend Essential Elements 2000 for beginning students.
Tara (I am a clarinetist and middle school band director)
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-08-15 05:56
A footnote on Essential Elements 2000. It combines a lot of the advantages of a modern play-along band book with some handy excerpts from the Rubank Methods. (both are published by Hal Leonard)
Tara, have any of your non-clarinet students ever expressed curiosity about having exercises called "Grenadilla Gorilla?"
Allen Cole
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-08-15 15:29
Allen Cole reports that "...Standard of Excellence...fingering information is simpler and more sensible than that of Rubank Elementary."
Allen, I will bow to your knowledge on this, although I always thought the old Rubank fingering chart is about as straightforward as you could get. I'll bip by my favorite store and look over "Standard of Excellence." Thanks for the tip!
Regards,
John
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Author: Tara
Date: 2004-08-15 21:03
Allen- good question! I find it is pretty simple to explain to them what it means. My flutists always just wonder why they get to that page and have such "easy" exercises... I explain to them about what we're doing in clarinet class, and about the register key and interval of the 12th. They think they're geniuses- it's great!
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-08-16 04:30
RE: Rubank Elementary
John, my primary complaint about Rubank Elementary is that it doesn't differentiate between the "sliver or fork" E-flat and the side-key E-flat. In fact it codes the two keys with the same number (7, I think) and fails to address the differences between them. You can see what I mean in lessons 16, 17 and 25. (Not to mention the fact that most of my students don't like decyphering its fingering chart)
What surprises me the most is that Rubank Elementary seems to neglectful when Rubank Intermediate is so beautifully done. It seems to me that someone should rework Rubank Elementary to be more clear and friendly like "My First Klose."
Allen Cole
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-08-16 16:50
AWHILE ago I reccommended the Klose but in retrospect still feel that the Klose clarinet material if practiced slowly will only help you develop and reach your full potential...soft pedalling with user freindly stuff that only prolongs development will only add to frustation and boredom with the clarinet! A good teacher will also show you how to practice your 16ths as eigths and you will be on your way to more flexibility and great enjoyment!
The Klose Method is the Klarinet!!!
David Dow
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-08-16 17:29
allencole said:
> my primary complaint about Rubank Elementary
> is that it doesn't differentiate between the "sliver
> or fork" E-flat and the side-key E-flat.
Allen is exactly right, as that is a HUGE flaw with the Rubank Elementary Method.
As to the fingering chart - I dispose of it before the student even opens the book. My students are required to have a music notebook where all lesson notes (fingerings, terminology, etc...) are kept.
The above is even more reason to have a qualified clarinet instructor (not a brass player who took clarinet methods in college) during the first year of playing...GBK
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