 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: geekchic9
Date: 2006-02-24 02:39
Hi, everyone!
I've decided to become a music major (music therapy, to be exact) and I need to get into the habit of playing the clarinet again. My embouchure is rather weak. I'd like to work up to playing an hour a day and refresh myself on scales, technique, and all that good clarinet stuff. Does anyone have any advice, books, or links on how to rebuild my clarinet playing skills? I would really appreciate it.
In case anyone is wondering, I own a rather new LeBlanc Rapsodie clarinet with a K10M mouth piece, and I play a 2.5-3 reed right now. In the past I played for about 4 years. Clarinet lessons start at school next fall, so I have until then to brush up on my clarinet playing skills.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-02-24 06:53
Cool! As someone who started again recently I found it was a matter of finding what I used to play and trying to remember how to do it. But don't expect to play the same reed as you did when you last played. Pace yourself at first (play for a bit, then take a day off to let it sink in) and stop if it hurts!
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Author: William
Date: 2006-02-24 14:19
Not to discourage your clarinetting aspiration, but if your goal is music therapy, it might be advisable to also pursue keyboard or guitar skills as well as the wide variety of percussive instruments. My neighbor practices music therapy at a nursing home and plays the accordian, guitar and piano for her residents who are encouraged to accompany on percussion--sticks, mallets, wood block, triangle, etc--even spoons and coat hangers!! Another college certified music therapist (also a remarkable avant-gaurd tenor sax and flute artist) who worked at my old school used every percussive instrument in my band room as well as tennis rackets and call and response verse. My point is, for music theraphy in practice, there are a lot of instruments and so many different activities that are useful for needy students--not just the clarinet.
Music therapy is a quality vocation that is often underated and underfunded in schools and elsewhere. In school budgets, it is most often the first music class to be cut. Too bad--I have personally seen dramatic positive results in many students who have benefited from music therapy classes. All the best to you and your career choice.
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Author: geekchic9
Date: 2006-02-24 15:13
William,
I recognize that music therapy requires knowledge of percussion, voice, guitar, piano, etc. The music therapy program at Texas Woman's University (TWU) will prepare me for this. Right now, I'm at a community college and have to have a principal instrument, and I know clarinet, so clarinet it is for right now. I'm also going to take voice, keyboarding, and guitar classes before I transfer to TWU.
TWU's program is known to be the best and the oldest in the state of Texas from what I have gathered. Since it has been there for a long time, I feel that it won't be cut, although I could be wrong.
I am going to get a Bachelor's in Music Therapy, but my plan is going to dual degree in the master's program in music therapy and counseling. Counseling is a growing profession, so if the music therapy program is cut for some reason, I can always just go with counseling.
Thank you for your concern.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-02-24 15:24
I play both guitar and clarinet. I agree that you'll probably be using the guitar for actual music therapy rather than the clarinet. But, to brush up on your clarinet skills is a good idea, especially since you spent 4 years dedicated to it in the past.
There are some great standard books for practicing out there. Selected Studies for Clarinet by H. Voxman, published by Hal Leonard is one. Another is Artistic Studies Book 1-From the French School for Clarinet edited by David Hite (Rose studies and etudes). Or, if you're wanting to brush up on very simple basic stuff, you might try a Belwin Clarinet Method book that we used as beginner/intermediate players. If you're wanting to get your embouchure in shape and refamiliarize yourself with the instrument, you might want the simpler book and really focus on tone and intonation.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-02-24 15:29
>Clarinet lessons start at school next fall
any reason you cant find a teacher and start some lessons now?
>Does anyone have any advice, books, or links on how to rebuild my clarinet playing skills?
get into a habit of playing daily. pick a time that is your practice time each day, and stick to it.
work on all 12 major scales once you have those down, start on the minors.
also apreggios and thirds in all major and minor keys
books - try Melodious & Progressive Studies, volume 1 - Edited by D. Hite, Southern Music. Run through 6-8 of those each week for a month or so, then move up to book 2.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: geekchic9
Date: 2006-02-24 19:32
pewd,
>any reason you cant find a teacher and start some lessons now?
I asked myself that very same question shortly after I posted. I've arranged to see a teacher next Friday.
Thanks for the advice on the books, scales, etc. I will start today!
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2006-02-25 22:29
Read Keith Stein's 'Art of Clarinet Playing', then David Pino's 'The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing' then Ridenour's 'Educator's Guide to the Clarinet'.
-Tyler
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