 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ap073
Date: 2008-09-06 09:04
I have decided, for many bad reasons, to teach myself to play the clarinet. I am a self taught guitar player, and I got started by learning three chords, then playing to death every three chord tune I could find. Then I slowly, over time, learned other chords and was able to play other tunes. Is there any way that a similar method could work with a clarinet?
If a man had two identical clarinets (same make and model), and one had a broken top bit, the other had a broken bottom bit, could the two good pieces be put together to make a good clarinet? Or are all parts exclusively matched?
Aplogies for the dumb questions. There are plenty more where they came from.
(I am a total novice so please avoid technical terms, some of these posts are still a foreign language to me sadly.)
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2008-09-06 10:43
Haha, that's actually one of the greatest beginner questions I've ever heard! If the corked joints fit, the clarinet would work, no doubt about that. It just may potentially be faced with horrid intonation. "Mixing and matching" actually does occur in practice, sometimes even with the highest level instruments.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-09-06 10:47
Yes, among the same model the parts are quite interchangable. And for the most part you can put any mouthpiece (top bit) on any Clarinet brand also.
Learn the right hand notes before going to the left as they are a lot harder to play as you must cover all fingers properly to go down without feeling a lot of resistance (air leaking from the sides of the fingers)
Start with a reed in the 2 - 2 1/2 strength as softer than a 2 will probably collapse, and harder than 2 1/2 would be like a brick initially.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: myshineyblackjoy
Date: 2008-09-06 13:31
No questions are Dumb. Seeking knowledge is always applauded here on the BB. Welcome to the world of clarinet. I have a question for you. Can you read music? If not I suggest you find a teacher to help you with the basics .
Pamela
You are a child of the universe,No less that the trees and the stars;You have a right to be here. And wether or not it is clear to you,No Doubt the universe is unfolding as it should... Desederata....
Pamela J.
Post Edited (2008-09-06 14:14)
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2008-09-06 13:51
You could probably teach yourself some basics, but are likely to develop bad habits, particularly with respect to mouthpiece placement and hand positioning. It can take years to undo bad habits. Get a few lessons for the basics and then teach yourself.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-09-06 14:06
to follow ken's comments, in addition to some lessons, you should have your instrument gone over by a good repair tech. yes if its the same make and model you can usually interchange the parts, as stated above. but have a good repair shop go over it. this is presuming its a decent quality instrument to begin with.
one thing i see repeatedly, is new students failing and giving up because of substandard equipment. its very difficult to learn on an instrument with mechanical issues. we all see clarinets selling for $30 on ebay, and think, wow, for only 30 i can learn an instrument. which just isn't reality.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2008-09-06 22:54
I agree. That $30 state of the instrument is more than likely why the last guy gave up clarinet and sold it.
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Author: ap073
Date: 2008-09-07 09:00
Thank you all for your help.
No, I don't "read" music, although I did the basic thory at school.
The advice about taking lessons I have read just about everywhere. Unfortunately I am in a part of the world where this isn't possible, and I wanted to put some spare time to better use.
When I get back to the "real world" I'll be sure to get a few lessons but for now any tips at all are appreciated.
Thanks again.
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Author: myshineyblackjoy
Date: 2008-09-07 18:28
Then work on holding long notes and tone quailty. Play the same passage over and over till your fingers know the notes without thinking.Don't try to use too hard of reed strength. High numbers don't always equate to better tone .I myself use a 2 1/2 to 3 on my buffet, and I have played for 38 years. Hope this helps.Keep posting any questions you have we like to help!
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most !
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