The Clarinet BBoard

Re: Just starting out

Author: bstutsman  Date:   2007-07-27 20:59 First of all, for someone just starting out, nothing is more valuable than a private teacher. You are investing in the instrument and accessories as well as your own time, so it only makes sense to start with professional help. A pad is ok for your thumb. Some new clarinets do not have the thumb rest corked. I think this is a disadvantage. You might have a repair person cork it if necessary. As for your thumb aching, make sure it is positioned correctly. A good hand postion is very important when starting clarinet. Depending on the size of your hand, there may be some variation in what I am going to describe. The thumbrest needs to contact your thumb on the side of the thumb. In other words the thumbnail will be parallel to the clarinet. On my hand the thumbrest is very slightly toward the nail from the middle joint. I have been playing for 50 years and sometimes my thumb aches also. Usually it's about the time my embouchure starts to tire also. If it hurts, just try taking a little break. You can leave the instrumemt assembled between practices, but I would definitely put it away at night. If it's been left assembled, give the joints all a twist to keep it from sticking before you play it again. At the end of each practice session, you should swab it out. If it is silver-plated, it will tarnish faster the more it's exposed to air and not in its case. Concerning your tone, this depends on you. Once again, a good teacher is invaluable. Listen to recordings of great clarinet players. Get it in your ear what a clarinet is supposed to sound like. It's been my experience that ALL students should be beginning to get a characteristic sound by the end of the 3rd year, if not sooner. If you only listen to Robert Marcellus playing the Mozart concerto, you will be doing a lot to help your sound. My wife still closes every door she can when I practice. Remind your spouse that, like earplugs, husbands are disposable also.

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Re: Just starting out

Author: blissedOUT  Date:   2007-07-29 06:59 Hey AM, I just recently got my lips around a Clarinet as well... My right thumb is sore too and I have a dent between my nail and knuckle. Being a drummer, I'm used to this. I expect a nice, padded callous to grow there with time. Also, a corked finger-rest does help. (Confirmed when I exchanged my two-week old beginner CSO model for a Yamaha YCL-250 today) From the firm prodding here, I got a teacher. I didn't want to... I wanted to be somewhat competent when I met a teacher. (pride rears it's ugly head... like wanting to be in good shape before joining a gym) But, I conceded, found a professional and it has helped very much. My teacher has given me good advice and I'm definitely motivated at practice-time. I know that I have to face this person in a week's time and I don't want to put them through "that" again. Luckily, they were patient, but demanding; calm, but forceful. I do break-down my instrument between practice. Like you, I expected to leave my Clarinet on the stand that I bought with it 24/7. But, since the reed needs special treatment, I got into a habit of disassembling it at the end of practice. There is a benefit to this though: when I go through the effort to moisten the reed and assemble the instrument, it's serious... "practice-time, do not disturb". I'm more focused on accomplishment. Unfortunately, I'm wordy, so I'll try to address your third point quickly. Maybe it's not so good to practice with someone around in the beginning (even with earplugs). I've performed other instruments in front of hundreds of people without much self-consciousness, and I've taught technical subjects to complete strangers for years in 40hrs/wk classes. But, I'm having problems getting comfortable casually playing in front of people... my teacher, my roommate, the instructional DVD. On the DVD, they play through once as an ensemble, then allow you to solo. I blow fine through the ensemble, then, if I'm going to squeak (choke), it's solo. I've only played about two-weeks, but coming from other instruments I believe this is just part of learning. Don't be too hard on yourself, and maybe clear your environment of any obstacles. Send the spouse to the movies or a good curry... Post Edited (2007-07-29 07:00)

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Re: Just starting out

Author: AnnieMatilda  Date:   2007-07-29 15:31 I had a look at the neck straps on the internet last night to see what they were like with the intention of ordering one after some investigation as to which looked best. As they did not look too complicated (and because I wanted one right now) I have put one together from a camera neck strap, a piece of elastic, a hook and a piece of leather. It was intended to be "make do" until I could get one through the post but it is so good and so comfortable that I may keep it after all. It does make quite a difference too although not having the weight of the clarinet on my thumb feels a bit odd as yet. My clarinet is a plastic one. I wanted to be sure that I would be able to play a little bit before I spent a huge amount. On work days I practice before and after work and break the clarinet down between practices but at the week-end or holidays I swab it through and leave it assembled so that I can pick it up when the fancy takes me. After having read about different makes and mouthpieces on this board it seems that the purchase of a good clarinet is very complicated. I will ask advice from you all once I have saved my pennies (or perhaps when Father Christmas enquires what I would like). Thanks again for all your advice.

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