Author: allencole
Date: 2006-03-31 19:54
I clarinet, flute and sax privately and have heavy experience with beginners. I would concur that clarinet is more difficult. Several things to think about.
1. Having to properly handle and adjust the reed is a matter if difficulty.
2. Having to seal the tone holes, rather than simply press plateau keys. The other two instruments are more forgiving of sloppy habits in the early stages.
3. Multi-key use of fingers, such as the left index finger and the two pinkies. Neither of the other instruments have enough notes in the tube itself to make this necessary.
4. Cultural status of the instruments can affect motivation. Flute is a big one for girls, and sax is a big one for guys. Many folks seem to see the clarinet as being somewhere in between...the hermaphrodite of the woodwind family? Also, lots of pop-culture visibility for flute and sax, while almost NONE for clarinet.
By far, I find that my flute beginners are the best and fastest. Sax players generally kick in once they can blow the low notes, although they are also the most likely to quit once they actually have to get down to work. Clarinet players always seem to be whining or finding excuses. It is very difficult to get them outside the box, and--in line with the lack of pop-culture visibility--many seem to descend into the 'I'm this chair, what chair are you?' mentality. Needless to say it's one of the least lasting avenues of motivation.
I've had a number of flute and sax players make extraordinary strides in the first year of instruction. With the clarinet, I find these kinds of go-getters to be very rare.
Perhaps some instrument-vs-personality study (or a thread on the subject) is in order. I can't help but think there's a connection.
Allen Cole
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The Clarinet BBoard
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