 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-07-31 07:30
I am interested in your thoughts about the youngest age that a child may start playing the clarinet. I started at age 9. If a child of 6 or 7 wanted to take lessons, would this be too young? Thanks for your information on this subject.
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Author: Ben Redwine
Date: 2005-07-31 11:38
Hello,
I began clarinet at age 6. I had to take a year or so off while I was losing teeth. I am a firm believer in "the younger, the better".
Ben Redwine
RedwineJazz, LLC
410 798-8251
clarinet@redwinejazz.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-31 12:14
I don't start them on the regular Clarinet that young - start em with either the Lyons (Lyons is a sponsor here - www.firstclarinet.com ) Clarinet or the KinderClarinet which Woodwind Brasswind sells. It was developed by John Denman.
Both are very good for just starting out - I prefer the KinderClarinet (I have both). It is much smaller as it's a modified Eb Clarinet. Very, very free blowing, decent intonation and the simplified keywork.
The Lyons is however more durable and almost breakproof. It's keyed in C.
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Author: Ben Redwine
Date: 2005-07-31 12:45
Hello,
I should have mentioned that my hands were too small for the b-flat clarinet, so I started on e-flat. I credit this with my success as an e-flat player today.
Ben Redwine
RedwineJazz, LLC
410 798-8251
clarinet@redwinejazz.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-07-31 16:09
There is a theory that kids develop their manual and mental coordination most fluidly between like 4 and 15-years old. One example is the Sloyd method of introducing woodworking to grammar school aged kids.
Paul Elvstrom, many time Olympic and world sailing champion, said that one will never be a great sailor unless s/he starts early in life.
There are no adult prodigies.
I think a child should start as early as practical; and that means getting them on an instrument that is small enough to be manageable.
My youngest student started on an eefer because she couldn't cover the keys on a Bb.
It might be reasonable to start a child on another, more manageable instrument. (??) Give him/er a teeny fiddle (Reginald Kell started on a violin and was relieved to get out of that cramped, uncomfortable playing position and on to the clarinet later in his --still young-- life.)
How about a flutaphone, soprano recorder?
Bob Phillips
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-07-31 18:48
I also would suggest the recorder, it allows for transitioning to use of fingers without all the extra keywork, beginning note reading and breathing. No reeds to worry about. The students I've had who spent a year in school on recorder (at around age 8) all made better clarinet players than those who had not.
Individuals will vary - hand size, fine motor skills, and interest all play a part.
If you do decide to start, please let us know how it turns out.
Sue Tansey
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Author: joannew
Date: 2005-08-01 05:23
I agree with the recorder idea. I started playing the recorder at about the age of 4. It's light, easy for small fingers, indestructible, cheap, and with a much easier learning curve with regards to embouchure and air support. When I chose clarinet as my school band instrument at age 10 I already had the basics of reading music, fingering, breathing, etc, which made learning the clarinet relatively easy and lots of fun!
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-08-01 07:53
I would also cast a vote for recorder. Early starts on adult instruments can bring prodigies to light, but they can also tend to leave a lot of talented players by the wayside.
Allen Cole
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