 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: blissedOUT
Date: 2007-07-21 06:02
Hello!
This is just a brief post to introduce myself to the board here...
Today I finally fulfilled a years-old, looming desire:
I bought a Clarinet.
I've "played" for so many hours today that my lips and lungs are sullen, but enjoyed
it even more that I would've thought and have discovered that most of my fears were
completely unfounded.
Fears like "Will I just squeak for the first 6-9 months?", or "Will it be too
loud to play, without self-consciousness, in my NYC apartment?".
The downside?
It was kind of an impulse buy... (curse you Artie Shaw YouTube video!)
A new SamAsh Jean-Baptiste learner, though refreshingly-affordable at $233.
But, it actually got me playing!
In the last three years, no amount of internet-model-comparison/ebay-scanning
got a Clarinet into the ol' chompers.
I was really holding out for a nice, wood, intermediate model that I would "grow into".
As a near 20-year rock/noise-rock amateur guitarist and semi-pro drummer,
I've experienced enough beginner instruments that show their limitations so
early in the learning process. I usually opt to buy higher-quality, used instruments.
But this was unknown territory, so buying used was such a gamble.
Still, I can't help but credit the JB for getting me on the road to learning.
Whew, finally!
Along with the Clarinet, I bought some instructional books/cds/dvds.
After I get acclimated, I'll probably look into a local instructor.
I have much to learn and I'm so looking forward to it!
Such is my uplifting day!
Regards...
Post Edited (2007-07-21 06:08)
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2007-07-21 16:35
blissOUT, just a few bits of advice:
- Find a GOOD private teacher, if you can. Don't try to go it alone.
- Despite what you may see here and elsewhere, music is for fun, satisfaction, and personal growth. It is not about being the best, it is not about playing perfectly. and it's not about being "right." Have goals, but play for enjoyment, not for attainment.
- Find other adult players at your level and get together and mess around with your instruments and talk about music together. (They don't even have to play the clarinet.) You'll be more apt to stick with it and enjoy it than if you are all by your lonesome, musically.
- I'm not sure if I have this quote right, but it was either Oscar Wilde or G.K. Chesterson who said, "If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing badly."
There are many ways this can be interpreted, but I take it to mean two things: "It doesn't make any difference if you don't do it well. If you enjoy it, do it anyway," and "Keep at it, even if you're not perfect. Don't let yourself be discouraged. It's inevitable that you'll get better."
- Make a recording of yourself now, and every two weeks, make another, then listen to them and hear your improvement.
It's very hard for us to perceive our own improvement and get discouraged because we think we're not reaching our goals. It's as important, sometimes, to look backward as it is to look forward.
- Assiduously avoid expecting any instrument or gadget to magically improve your playing.
Yes, make sure that you have an adequate instrument, and adequate mouthpiece, etc., and that they are all in good shape, but don't spend a lot of time searching for a magic bullet that's going to transform your playing or make playing effortless.
- Join a community band when you can, and sit last chair 3d clarinet, if necessary--even if you still can only play every fourth note. Playing with people who play better than you do will help you advance quicker, and there's a lot to learn about playing in an ensemble, too.
- Listen to and try all styles of music when there are opportunities to do so.
Not everyone finds their musical niche in the traditional Western European musical world. You may find more satisfaction playing Serbian folk music, classical Indian music, Klezmer, or traditional New Orleans jazz than the three Bs and Mozart. The wider your appreciation of and experience in music, the more satisfying playing will be for you.
Keep at it, and have FUN!
B.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2007-07-21 16:57
If you have not already done so, listen to John J. Moses' playing in the thread he posted about Send in the Clowns. Especially for a player that is playing for personal enjoyment, you need to hear how beautiful the clarinet can sound on simple, nontechnical passages. It is often more important to learn to play simple tunes expressively than to play sixteenth note runs. Best of luck with your playing!
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2007-07-21 17:28
Hey, congratulations! I was a R&R guitarist who picked up the clarinet when I was 40 (thanks to "The Benny Godman Story") and I've loved it ever since. Do pay attention to the advice on this board and get yourself a teacher sooner rather than later. It ain't like the guitar, man. You need someone to show you the ropes. You'll develop more quickly and believe me, those bad habits are hard to correct once they set in. Best of luck!!
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2007-07-21 20:34
I started clarinet 3 1/2 years ago at age 60, and some days it's a blessing and others a curse. However, the number of curse days reduces as I go along. It's a wonderful expressive instrument, and there is so much knowledge on this board to help you. I do agree that a teacher will move you along so much faster than doing it on your own, even though you seem to be off to a very good start. Good luck and welcome.
Leonard
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Author: blissedOUT
Date: 2007-07-21 21:53
Thanks for the encouragement!
I'll take your advice...
I need to find a teacher in the Brooklyn, Park Slope area.
All of you are right, I don't want to start with bad habits.
Today, I set-up to practice and spent about 30 minutes making nothing but
squeaks. I adjusted my reed, no good, tried another reed, no good.
Put the old reed back on, nope not yet. Better put a pot of coffee on...
Then, like playing billiards, you get in a zone where it just comes.
(I think I understand the "curse days" comment)
I really don't expect much right away and that's kind of what's nice about it.
It's a long-term goal.
I suspect it will take a long time just to get a consistent embouchure.
It really is a beautiful instrument.
Thanks again....
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Author: #188 Isak
Date: 2007-07-21 23:00
Great, blissedOUT! Keep up the good work, it is a wonderful hobby!
Really good post by bmcgar (by the way, it was G.K. Chesterson's quote ).
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2007-07-22 12:52
It's a *big* club, btw--among people who post regularly here, the skill range spans from beginners to professionals and the age range from pre-teens to late 80s (I wouldn't be a bit surprised if someone reacts to that comment by popping up and saying, "I'm over 90," while someone else says, "I'm 9"), and includes many who started playing as adult beginners. We've also got a lot of come-backers: people who quit as kids and then started playing again as adults, as I did. So welcome indeed!
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2007-07-22 13:23
And bboarders are from many countries, too. Hello from Korea.
NYC is THE place I wish to visit someday!
Welcome and happy clarineting!
BTW, bmcgar, great advice. May I quote what you wrote above in a Korean clarinet website?
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: larryb
Date: 2007-07-22 13:31
If you really need to limit yourself to clarinet teachers in Park Slope, Brooklyn (very limiting), you could check out the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on 7th Avenue and Lincoln Pl.
Here's a link to faculty there; scroll down for the clarinet teachers:
http://www.bqcm.org/faculty.htm
But why not broaden your search for clarinet teachers to, say, Sunset Park as well?
Post Edited (2007-07-22 13:32)
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Author: blissedOUT
Date: 2007-07-22 20:06
Hey, thanks larryb!
I won't limit myself to the PS area, it was really just convenience.
Any other teachers in Brooklyn or Manhattan that you would recommend?
Great to get some links for teachers.
My internet search wasn't going so well.
I'd considered posting a flyer at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Thanks for all the help and hellos!
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2007-07-22 21:02
Well done mate!
Get at least one lesson, just to give you some clues as to how to hold and blow the thing for best results in the long run. Even a good music student will do. But seeing as you're getting enjoyable sounds out of it already, you're probably most of the way there. I guess if you've had this idea of how it's going to sound in your head for all these years...
And if it hurts, stop playing. If your lips get to the stage where you can't drink without dribbling, that's usually far enough ;-D
> I adjusted my reed, no good, tried another reed, no good.
You'll get used to this obsession. :-D
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Author: Iso
Date: 2007-07-26 02:10
Hey,
I started also at age 36! And have been playing since... well, only two years, but still, so you can do it, too!!!
What I did before I found a teacher: you can go to different web-sites that tell you (with pictures/photos) how to hold your hands, how the proper embochure looks like, etc - so you don't squeek. When you got it, start to do long tones, starting w/ the open G (when you only hold the clarinet, no keys down), and start to listen to your sound as you change things: pulling it in/out of your mouth, the angle you hold it, etc. Since everybody has different mouth inside, no teacher will be able to figure it out for you. Plus, no teacher can tell you which sound YOU like the best, right? But a teacher can help you tremendously, though, so these are just things to have fun while you're looking for one.
Apartmants ARE drawbacks, but think about that: you'll have to endure their complaints about you playing the clarinet; so, in return, they have to endure you playing the clarinet, right? Fair is fair.
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Author: blissedOUT
Date: 2007-07-26 06:03
Just to follow up...
I have taken the advice here and found a local instructor.
A performing and recorded jazz player (the serendipity of a large metro area)
One hour per week, not prohibitively expensive, although not cheap on my humble salary.
After 10 minutes of squeaks, he analyzed what I was doing wrong and offered
some excellent corrective measures.
He gave me exercises that leave a blast-crater in my throat and lungs as well.
It definitely gives a sense of purpose to daily practice.
Thanks again for all of the feedback...
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