 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sjsflamingo
Date: 2005-08-18 20:00
I am a competent amateur musician, but I play strings and piano. I recently acquired a clarinet and want to learn to play, and would like to do a lot of it on my own, with some occasional lessons from a musician friend. I have a fingering chart that I found on the internet. Any suggestions as to method book to use? Other resources? Tips?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-08-18 20:34
Welcome SJS, you have found a "good group" of helpful folk ranging from our "newbies" to "oldies", like me. We have many pros and teachers on the BBoard who can and will share advice/experience to aid you. As to history, playing etc, many excellent books are available from Amazon and B&N, I have a goodly number, and refer often to those by Brymer, Lawson, Pino. Baines, Sachs etc and recently those by Rice, a fine review of Baroque and Classical clarinet. Just ask and they will respond. Best wishes, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-08-18 20:47
I recently started learning to play the clarinet and found some nice Rubank method books for clarinet at Half-price Books (or you could look in any used book store). I always appreciated the Rubank books I used when learning the sax.
The price was less than a dollar each and I now have a nice collection of method books, some that I picked up for less than two bits! Now if I could get the over the break (A2 to B2) a little more smoothly. :o)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-08-18 21:03
If you have access to a teacher for instruction in the fundamentals of making a strong sound, you will save yourself months of frustration.
Start with just the barrel, mouthpiece, reed and ligature.
It will sound like a "duck call" but removing the rest will allow you to hear your basic output.
I recommend the Legere synthetic reed for starting players.
The Hite Premier and Fobes Nova mouthpieces are designed for the beginning player and will be more comfortable than many others.
One size does NOT fit all, getting the best fit from a mouthpiece will be something of a treasure hunt. If the mouthpiece allows you to play your favorite brand of reed comfortably, it is a keeper.
Lastly - being a wind instrument means training muscles that have never been tortured in such a manner. 20 minutes every other day is better for your development than 2 hours on Saturday...
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Author: Sovek
Date: 2005-08-19 03:19
Dont give up, It took me weeks just to make a sound (and I was showed up by a little girl who was able to make a sound her first time), Buffet B-12 is one of the best clarinets a student can buy, if you already bought one, I would suggest you return-sell it for a B-12, even my 17 year old B-12 plays as well as a (now former) friend's wooden selmer. And if like me and you have gift, play your heart out.
P.S. it doesnt matter how old you are, you can still learn an instrument.
Post Edited (2005-08-19 03:19)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-08-19 04:46
Go go go.
Some of the grammar school band method books are not very rewarding, so you might look for a deal on the Langenus Books I, II, III. Gus Langenus' choice of material relates to the studies and gives you something to reward yourself with when you take another step.
I think you should follow the earlier advice to get help in making your instrument sound. Its the bedrock fundamental you need.
If you don't seal the tone holes with your fingers, you won't get a good sound, and if you don't have a good sound (say playing open G), you won't know if its your leaky fingers or your mouth.
Enjoy, its fun, fun.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2005-08-19 16:38
I've used this analogy before but it is true. I'm a pert fair airplane pilot but I don't know jack about choppers. I know about weather, FAA rules, power envelopes, airspace restrictions etc. but if you put me in the pilot’s seat of a chopper, something is going to get bent!
My advice is to find a good instructor who can teach you the technical aspects of playing the clarinet because all the piano experience in the world isn't going to help you get notes out. Also, since you obviously are well versed in music, a lot of methods books are going to be redundant. A good teacher can advise you on both issues and get you up to speed much faster than anything I or anyone else on here ever will.
It's just my opinion but I think the smart money is on a good teacher before any method books.
Good luck and welcome to the asylum
RW
Best
Rick
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Author: Slippy Bal-dog
Date: 2005-08-19 17:31
I'd have to agree with Rick. I'm in your position...musical background in string instruments. The whole putting air through the instrument thing is pretty tough...to get right. You can't see 90% of what's going on and its easy to trick yourself into shortcuts that will make things harder later.
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-08-19 17:32
Rick's point about teacher versus method books is well taken, but--
Most of the method books aren't that expensive. I believe Rubank costs about $5.50 USD. You'll at least have a fingering chart and a place to start. You won't be out much money even if you get a teacher who offers something better, and even if you make up your own stuff and don't play half of what is in the book.
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Author: rockymountainbo
Date: 2005-08-19 19:52
I, too, am fairly new to the clarinet and had a few lessons and bought a few books. After a few months now, though, I feel that I have made much better progress just by playing the thing and trying to make notes. I have been trying to copy the slower jazz pieces I have on CD and my progress has been quite stunning (to me). I don't make nearly the amount of squeaks I used to and I have fallen in love with the instrument. Good luck and happy blowing.
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-08-19 21:11
Learn all you can about clarinet embouchure. The fingers will come relatively easily with scale and technique practice, but tone production can take years and years and is not the easiest aspect of clarinet playing to teach or be taught. Look it up online, read books people suggest here, etc.
Welcome to the coolest group of people in the world.
-Tyler
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Author: davedmg
Date: 2005-08-20 20:22
Gandalfe:
Re A2 to B2 break: You might try closing all the RH B2 fingerings after throat G BEFORE you play A2 OR B2. -- Dave
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Author: davedmg
Date: 2005-08-20 20:32
sjsflamingo:
I'm pretty much like you, trying to learn clarinet as (another) side instrument. I've learned more about the clarinet from Tom Ridenour's book " The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet," than I have after years of putzing around with method books. The book cost about $45 on line, but it is worth a fortune to clarinetist wannabes. -- Dave
P.S.
I'm not knocking method books. In fact, I've dug out my Elementary Rubank Method books again, after the light dawned that all those finger excercises are the only way to learn proper hand positions on the clarinet. Rubank does not explain WHY to do those excercises: Ridenour does.
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-08-21 10:38
I've been playing soprano clarinet for over 25 years (quite well for a non-pro, i think) in all kinds of combinations (band, chamber music, ...)
Last year I decided to give it a go on the Bass Clarinet (a dream of many of us clarinetists I think).
I found myself a teacher (which is easy over here because we have very nice and cheap public music schools) and learned more in one year than I could ever imagine.
There is no way that any book or manual or whatever can bring you the same progress. You need the contact with a good coach. Definately when your starting, because then there is so much more they know, hear and can tell you.
Of course the books are nice to learn more about your instrument, but don't go without a teacher.
Peter
PS. he/she must be competent of course :-)
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Author: RichardB
Date: 2005-08-21 11:40
I too am an adult beginner, I started playing about 8 months ago, but I had no prior musical experience (other than attending my children's music lessons).
I have been using the books by Galper, which I find very good. I also recommend a teacher. Starting with half hour lessons (your mouth won't handle much more than that when you start anyway) it isn't too expensive. A teacher can fix immediately so many things you might be doing wrong that would take you a long time to discover.
Richard
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-08-21 12:04
Maybe for us Belgians going for a teacher is logical because it's quite cheap.
Almost every communicaty has a music school, where kids (<18yr) can have a regular school year (± 32 effective weeks) of class for only about €52.
It's a bit more complicated, but in general this includes 2.5 hrs of general music class (theory, reading/singing, history) and 1 hour instrument training (in a little group of 2/3 kids) every week. After 4 years an additional 1hr/week 'ensemble' playing is added. So a lot of professional help at almost no cost.
For 'adults' like me :-) , the price is set at € 166/year for instrument and ensemble training (a 2hr/week scheme)
Believe it or not, but a government program for adult education pays half of my costs (so at the end I only pay € 83, or even less, because my daughter - a starting clarinetist - gets another discount on her fee)
This must be paradise if you want to study music ? Buy the way the teachers are ofcourse well-skilled 'masters in music' (university degree)
Kids that complete the 10 year program with outstanding level (around 18th birthday) are ready for entering the 'music university' to go for a 'master in music' and a professional carriere. Provided they also concluded normal high school.
When I read on the BB about private teachers I'm always wondering what it actually costs. Anyone an idea ?
Peter
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