The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Adam
Date: 2000-04-29 03:34
What in your opinion is a good book for a beginner? Are there any that are comprehensive about scales/caring for instruments etc? Many thanks.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-04-29 03:42
They are many beginning books out there. A standard book for clarinetists to have is the Art of Clarinet Playing, by Keith Stein. This book explains about breath support, caring for the instrument, etc.
If you want to buy a good beginning method book, I strongly recommend Accent on Achievement. This is the book we use in our Woodwind Class at my college. I really like this book a lot compared to some others.
On this site if you look under Study, you will find a section of Beginning Books.
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 2000-04-29 03:50
As a beginner I found Keith Stein's "The Art of Clarinet Playing" ( published by Summy-Birchard) a clear, intelligible and concise book telling you the things you should to know, and I like Avrahm Galper's "Clarinet Method" as a nice course that teaches the easy and the hard bits well and in an interesting way.
Good luck, Karel.
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 2000-04-29 03:55
Kim,
can you tell me a little more about Accent on Achievment, e.g. publisher, author, availablity, cost and size?
Cheers, Karel.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-04-29 04:41
I would srongly recommend the Rubank series, starting with the beginners method. I started with Rubank and I think that it gives you a strong background for the harder stuff, but I think that Rubank is something that you use as a supplement to easy solos and sheet music, its not ezactly the most interesting mehtod book in the world
Sara
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-04-29 05:07
In my college, we have a prep orchestra and have experimented with various beginning methods. We've tried Balent's Sounds Spectacular and have agreed that it would not be suitable for a beginner because it is unclear. We are now using the Belwin Method and it is a little more clear, but not very concise.
The Accent on Achievement by John O'Reilly and Mark Williams and pub. by Alfred describes posture, embouchure, and gives a little intro on how to practice. Before you actually start reading music, they give you a diagram of the G clef and show you where the notes are on the staff. I think it's really cool. As the method progesses, more complex rhythms are added as well as scales.
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 2000-04-29 12:06
I would guess that Galper takes the beginner further along, in quite interesting and challenging and structured manner. It is available from LUYBEN's MUSIC. Price less than $20 for both volumes.
Karel.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-04-29 13:51
I learned on Rubank (clarinet) and my son's (percussion) middle school uses Accent on Achievement. Both are great beginner books. For a younger student I feel Accent on Achievement is a great choice, it has more variety than Rubank. My son's private teacher uses both methods with great success. I paid $7 for the Accent on Achievement complete percussion book for my son. I guess it comes down to personal preference. I hope I didn't confuse you more.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-04-29 19:05
One advantage to the Rubank book (even if you decide not to stick with it as a lesson book) is the fingering chart, which is very well-designed for clarity, includes most of the fingerings that actually work, and has enough blank space in it so that there's room to write in your own fingerings if/when you find alternatives that might work better on a particular instrument. I think it's the best fingering chart in any basic book. I'm not a beginner, but I picked up the Rubank beginner book used anyway, for the chart. Bonus: Boehm system fingerings on the front, Albert system fingerings on the back.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-04-29 19:18
I'm not against Rubank. I used it when I was in high school and it was really nice for sightreading. I too, like the fingering chart. However, the Accent on Achievement is what my university prefers to use for its introductory band instrument classes.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-04-29 22:28
I have to agree with Lelia about the fingering chart in the Rubank book. I'm still using it after many years. I haven't seen the Accent on Achievement clarinet book, but the percussion book is really good. It is a well rounded book. My suggestion is to buy both books, because they each have their strong points.
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