 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Squeeky
Date: 2004-08-15 11:31
Hi Folks,
First time at this forum so here goes.
I live in France but speak virtually no french. I have just started to learn the clarinet ( 3 days only ). Over here we have a lot of music teachers but none in my area speak English. Is it possible to learn to get to a basic standard or any standard at all just by using books and videos etc.
I'm 59 years old, still have all my own teeth and as yet I'm not going GA, Ga.
I can read a little basic music ( I know some of the notes ) but I don't know if I have an ear for music yet. I also know the kind of sound I would eventually like to produce ( trad jazz ) if I live that long.
I have a Buffet Evette clarinet and a Vandoran 11.6 mouthpiece which I found easier to produce a couple of notes with than the buffet mouthpiece that came with the clarinet. Oh and I'm using Vandoran 2.5 reeds.
What are the best books to buy for an absolute beginner who is likely to be a bit slow and are there any tapes, videos that might help.
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Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-08-15 13:41
Well, before I had a teacher I taught myself... I was able to get a couple of scales out after a month or so... When I got a teacher I started to progress faster and faster... So, it is better to have a teacher, but why not start learning now? I have a buffet Evette clarinet also... Got it off of EBAY... and I think I might of used size 2 reeds to begin with... but it looks like you have everything you need... you just need a fingering chart, and a basic book with scales... Always practice with a metronome, because it helps in the long run... I dunno if you want to take my advice or not, but that's my advice...
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-08-15 14:07
Sqeeky,
The best way to proceed is with the help of a good teacher, who will probably want you to use a book of their choosing.
If you have an acquaintance who can speak French and English, perhaps this person could facilitate the first meeting with a teacher to get you started. After that, you could take a small French-English dictionary to your lessons.
Bon chance,
Hans
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-15 14:40
I don't see why language should be such a problem, the French are very good at pantomime.
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Author: William
Date: 2004-08-15 14:53
The Rubank Advanced Method may serve you well for a while. It presents some basic scales studies, etudes, technique excercises and a great alternate fingerings section, many involving those pesky little finger situations. And these are presented in a study guide that progresses from easy to more difficult in weekly study segments. It really helps to have an instructor, but it is possible to learn much about the clarinet from this method "on your own".
Another suggestion, if you intend to live in France, learn to speak the national language. Interaction with a french clarinet instructor might be a good way to begin.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-08-15 15:20
My suggestion would be the Rubank Elementary book (good for absolute beginners, it includes a good fingering chart), plus the intermediate book to follow it, and (as you are hardly next door) might as well order the Advanced book at the same time. Also order Dr. Pino's book, *The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing.* These books will get you off to a good start.
Curiously, all the suggestions so far look good to me. Although it might not be the best way to do it, yes, you can learn to play the Clarinet without a teacher. The biggest concern is avoiding the development of bad habits. A thorough reading of the Pino book will help to minimize that error.
Van Cott Information Services, a Bulletin Board sponsor, has these (and many others) in stock. Click on "Music and Books" in the box on the right of this page.
Good luck and regards,
John
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-08-16 12:25
Language isn't as big a barrier as you may think. If you look around at the local music stores with your clarinet in hand - well ok, in the case - then they could point out clarinet books that they would suggest. Numbers can always be written (such as #1 to signify a beginner's book).
Musicians who speak different languages can get along quite well. We speak to and from the musician inside of us and many things are picked up and understood without words, and in reality a word or two is understood after all due to the similarity of expressions across language barriers.
Instead of telling you what he expects, the teacher would have to play his own instrument to illustrate it. He can use his hands to clarify and gesture and form ideas. He can show you a correct embouchure by puckering up himself - and so forth. If you arrive with one music book, he can show you the book he would prefer that you buy. Go with a notebook to write things down or to draw illustrations - that goes a long way towards communicating, too.
Our kids took piano lessons from our neighbor who was a concert pianist from Shanghai, China. They were her only students who didn't understand Chinese. Her English wasn't wonderful, but the kids understood what she wanted and learned well.
Post Edited (2004-08-16 14:23)
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-08-16 15:02
Perhaps the most wonderful thing about instrumental music - it is a universal language.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2004-08-16 17:55
I live in Paris. I speak English and know a little about the local clarinet scene. If you would like to email me off the bboard, I might be able to offer some help.
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Author: Squeeky
Date: 2004-08-16 17:59
Thanks to everone who replied, I will try and get the books mentioned and have a go. Perhaps in time I might feel confident enough to try a french music teacher.
As regard to learning the language, unless you actually practice the language daily you tend to forget what you learnt the day before. I don't meet many french people to talk to but I have been to language classes.
I think it does get a bit harder as you get older without lots of practice ( learning languages that is ).
By the way I keep reading in forum about getting over the bridge, what does this refer to ?
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Author: Tilmitt
Date: 2004-08-16 19:56
Getting over the bridge refers to going from A to B on the middle line. You have to use your left thumb to open a key on the bottom of your clarinet while keeping the thumb hole closed. This raises all your notes up by over an octave. Thus low E becomes the B on the middle line. Perhaps someone else can explain better.
Post Edited (2004-08-18 19:22)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-17 17:48
"getting over the bridge".....in Paris it's how you get from the right to the left bank.....!!!
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