 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dave R
Date: 2006-09-26 14:02
Hi all,
Just a quick line to introduce myself. I'm Dave, i live in the UK, and i am new to the world of Clarinets. I come to play the clarinet at the age of 49, purely as a whim, though i do play another, folk, instrument.
I bought my Clarinet( B&H "La Fleur") via the local free advertising paper, and think i got a good deal. I have had it looked over by a professional repairer friend of mine, and it seems to be OK.
I don't know whether i'm going to fall into the Jazz or Classical path yet, so i am exploring all the options. This leads me to my first question:-
Who should i be listening to?
On the Jazz side i know Artie Shaw, Beny Goodman, Akker Bilk, Woody Herman. I know nothing about the Classical side of the instrument, players or pieces, so any help would be greatly appriciated.
When i bought my instrument it came with three books, one of which was "First pieces for B flat Clarinet" Book 1 by A.W.Benoy & A.Bryce. The seperate Clarinet part is missing from this book. I have tried looking on the net for a replacment, but have had no luck. I could write out all the parts on note higher, which would be a good exercise, but does anyone have a copy that i might borrow?
Lastly, does anyone have any good tips for a beginner, other than don't walk before you can run...?
Thanks,
Dave R
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-09-26 14:14
Well, Mozart himself started the ball rolling... (or at least, gave it a good kick!)
Personally I think 'Crusell' and 'Weber' when I think 'Clarinet-y composers'. But there are so many... you're bound to receive a hundred recommendations in this thread. Welcome aboard!
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2006-09-26 16:55
I think just about everyone who follows this forum would recommend that you
get a teacher and some lessons, if only for a short time. The ways you can start bad habits are numerous and while you may not have trouble reading the notes you are likely to have lots of trouble playing them.
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Author: D
Date: 2006-09-26 20:32
i would suggest trying to find a friendly community band/music group of mixed age and ability. This is a great way to socialise, a great way to build stamina and teaches you lots of thing which you don't get from playing on your own. It also tends to be cheaper than a private teacher. I think a private teacher is absolutley necessary (even though I don't have one...broke) but as an adult your attention span and ability to absorb information is not that same as a childs. Therefore you can probably get away without having a lesson every week. Once every two weeks or month would probably do, especially if you can find a group to play in in the between times. Where a child might be given a few short excercises to work on for the week, this is not always the most useful method for an adult to learn as you have to fit practice in around real life. A goal for the next lesson and various things to practice to get you there might be more helpful. If you have any choice a teacher who is used to teaching adults might be a good start! Some of your folk music playing friends may be able to help you track down teachers and groups - make use of every connection you have. If you get really keen there are clarinet summer schools (i.e. Liverpool) and various music playing holidays (Darttington etc) which give you lots of opportunities to play with very good musicians and get tempted to spend lots of money when you get jealous of their kit.
Have a great time.
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2006-09-27 12:41
Do start with a private teacher! It's far too easy to develop bad habits otherwise, especially with breath support, embouchure and all those pinky keys. Depending on how fast you progress, take lessons for a few months before joining a community band. Flailing around with music that's too complex will be very discouraging. Once you have established good habits and have found a group that's a good fit, you can decide on whether to keep up the private lessons or not. Community bands are a great way to learn, socialize and have fun with music.
For classical clarinet music I'd suggest Mozart's concerto (of course!), the two Weber Concertos and Rossini's Theme and Variations in Eb, for starters. Weber and Mendelssohn in particular have some great clarinet solos in their concert works (The Freischutz, Fingal's Cave and the Scottish Symphony come right to mind). For a more modern concerto, try Aaron Copland's.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-09-27 13:59
Dave,
A bit closer to home, you should also try the ABRSM forum:
www.ABRSM.org
They have woodwind, teachers, students, adult learner discussion boards etc and a lot of very friendly people who'll be able to help you.
The Boosey and Hawkes beginners book is excellent and there's so much free sheet music on the net.
The music chosen by the ABRSM for exams is also a great source. Most books can be found quite cheaply on Ebay.
Good luck,
Steve
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Author: Dave R
Date: 2006-09-27 15:27
Many thanks for all your replies and encouragement.
I now have a teacher, and will be taking monthly lessons. Coming from an instrument with a limited range, and no keywork, it is a bit daunting looking at all those ledger lines, and shiney keys, but i have patience, and like a challenge!
Thanks again,
Dave
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Author: Dave R
Date: 2006-10-10 18:01
Thanks for the lead GBK,
I followed it up, and the music cost $9.95.......
Th Shipping $58.54.......
so, if any one has a copy they aren't using, in the UK, or online, i would be very greatful.
TIA,
Dave R
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Author: bawa
Date: 2006-10-11 09:40
Dave R, GBK,
A bit off-topic, but I find that very often if you live outside the USA etc. the shipping charges are something abusive.
I mean if, lets say, Dr. Henderson can send me a packet of goods for around 8 dollars shipping, why should a book (its just a heavy letter) cost so much? If you went to the post-office it would be just a few $.
Internet businesses, take notice, anyone who is willing to supply to around the globe at reasonable prices (= more or less to PO charges) would have a market.
As for clarinetist, there are the Stamitz concerts (I have the Sabine Meyer recordings)
Paul Meyer French Clarinet Music, which I love
Antony Pay playing the Crusell concerts
and a little piece I really like is Eugene Bozza's Aria
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-10-11 20:12
-- "A bit off-topic, but I find that very often if you live outside the USA etc. the shipping charges are something abusive. " --
You mean from USA to Europe? I don't find that at all. It's more to do with the seller's policy on p&p.
I've wanted to buy small items from music123/wwbw and they've insisted on sending it by courrier - which oftens costs three times what the product costs!
But I've just bought some oboe reeds from the USA and they don't even charge for postage.
I once wanted to buy a barrel from the Pyne company but the cost of p&p was simply unbelievable!! I bought a second hand one soon after from Ebay and paid about $3 p&p.
Same story if I order things in Europe. Postage can be horrendous or nothing at all. Shipping from Britain to Italy almost always costs more than from USA to Italy.
The price you pay is what the seller wants to charge and thinks you''ll accept. Many sellers and Ebayers make a profit on their postage charges. Some don't. I guess that's business.
Steve
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