 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Akriel
Date: 2008-07-14 23:02
I am returning to the clarinet after many years absence. I am using the Rubank Elementary Method Book to get started again. I have made a habit of playing the new exercises very slowly and then speeding up as I get more comfortable.
My Question: What is a reasonable target tempo? Or would it vary by exercise?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Akriel
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-07-15 01:45
Akriel,
It varies by exercise. One might say that you want to speed them up as quickly as you can and feel comfortable.
Overall I don't think trying to accelerate them all is the most effective way to use the book. Some of the exercises are just exercises...some are teaching or presenting an important technique...and others are relatively simple with important details.
You habit as described above is the best way to learn any technical passage. I might add that you might benefit even more by using a metronome consistently as well.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-07-15 02:02
Akriel, I too, am using the Rubank Elemtary Method book and will very likely use the Rubank Intermediate book when these 38 lessons, or so, are completed.
I am not "returning" to the clarinet as you are, I am starting from scratch (Lesson 13 now), and here is how I've been doing the exercises. I first play an exercise very slowly to see what the pattern, difficulty of fingering, etc. are going to be. If I can play it very slowly, then I'll get the Metronome out and set if for some slow speed (based on what I think I can play it well enough) and try it again. If I mess up (which I can really do), I set it even slower until I can get it pretty good.
Once I can play the exercise very slowly well, I will speed it up ONLY about 1 beat per minute. If that's no challenge, then I might go 2 bpm next time I play it, but I'll do this until I feel I can reach a reasonably good speed. One thing my teacher advises me on is to strive to play it well rather than working on speed. Speed will come (up to a point anyway) the more you play it slowly, and the more you play the clarinet period.
In the words of the well known author of "The Art of Clarinet Playing", Keith Stein, "Make haste slowly"!!!
CarlT
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Author: Travis
Date: 2008-07-17 17:33
Like you and CarlT, I am also using the REM book (and am also at about lesson 13). I usually set my metronome at about 60bpm and start there. Once comfortable I usually speed it up a bit but my instructor gives me specific exercises to speed up - others he seems ok with me just being able to play at around 60bpm.
I find a metronome to be very helpful in measuring my progress. If you don't have a metronome but can play near a computer with web access you can go to www.metronomeonline.com.
Post Edited (2008-07-17 17:34)
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-07-17 19:14
Travis, the metronome site is a good find. Thanks.
Although I have one, mine is the type that it always starts on 100 bpm, so I have to always hold the "down" arrow down for several seconds until it gets to whatever I want (certainly, at this point, not 100). The one on the internet you just mouse the number you want and voila.
CarlT
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