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Re: Clarinet harder for young players than the flute?

Author: Pam H.
Date: 2006-03-30 23:28

Just some observations. Not quite as organized as your thoughts. I've played the clarinet for a long time, flute about 3-4 years now, sax maybe 2-3.

My clarinet/sax teacher is convinced from his own experience and that of teaching others that your conclusion that the clarinet is the most difficult of the three for the same reason. He would much rather teach the clarinet first if a student is interested in learning more than one instrument. From what he has seen it is easier for a clarinetist to switch to the flute and sax than flute and sax players to learn the clarinet later.

An observation of my own is that it seems harder to keep the flute embochure in shape when I'm playing the clarinet a lot and maybe not keeping up with the flute like I should. I can't slack off for too long on the flute or it really shows.

The flute can be "different" to learn to hold after playing clarinet. It's a very natural body position when playing the clarinet. Not as much with the flute plus there is no thumb rest! I used the bo-pep things for a while until I got used to a better hand position and just shoving it into my chin.

The sax has been pretty easy to learn with a slight embochure change. I wish I would have known that in high school!

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