 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: musicalnotes
Date: 2009-04-07 23:37
Hello! So I've decided that I am going to reward myself in 80 days when my first board exam is over with a clarinet, and lessons. I was curoius if those with their years of wisdom could chime in on a few things for me. As a background, I do not know how to read music, I do not know any instrument, though I did play the sax in middle school for a short season. I really love music, particularly classical stuff. I've chosen the clarinet because well, frankly, I'm in love with the rich sound that it can make. I have also searched this forum many times, and I figured instead of looking up for hours on end which I don't have, maybe you all could weigh in. Questions I have are
1. Which clarinet, there seems such a plethra, but I do know I want a wood one (from reading previous posts)?
2. I plan on taking lessons, but I'm a full time student studying a ton, and will get some lessons in, but is there a particular video/online teaching series you like?
3. Any general tips would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much for your thoughts!
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-04-08 04:06
Rick,
I'd locate a teacher first, then ask the teacher what instrument/mouthpiece/ligature/reeds they recommend.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-04-08 12:51
[EDIT] I posted the wrong book. THe one I have and I thought was very good is called The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing, by David Pino. I haven't read The Art of Clarinet Playing, but the Mr. Pino's book is very good and touches on a variety of subjects and I think has a lot of good information to develop a clarinetist both in playing ability and general knowledge about the instrument.
Alexi[/EDIT] ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2009-04-08 12:56)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-04-08 13:46
>>I've chosen the clarinet because well, frankly, I'm in love with the rich sound that it can make.>>
Choosing your instrument because you love the sound is already such a wise way to make the decision that I won't be surprised if you end up giving the rest of us good advice a few years down the road! I'm an amateur and haven't had nearly enough instruction myself, but those video / online instruction methods don't appeal to me much, because there's nobody to watch, listen and say whether you're really doing what you think you're doing, or how to modify anything that needs work.
If at all possible, I hope you find an instructor before you even buy the clarinet, and make every effort to take regular lessons and commit to regular practice sessions at the start, because in the long run, you'll save time and avoid frustration that way. The instructor is most important at the very beginning, so that you don't pick up bad habits that will turn into time-sucking vampires when you have to unlearn them. I started off as a child with no private lessons. The excellent band teacher couldn't monitor everything all the kids did. As a result, I had to undo bad habits and re-learn a lot of things later -- and had to discover, as an adult, that the mouthpiece I grew up with was a total chunk of junk.
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: flimity
Date: 2009-04-08 15:01
You might look into the software application Smart Music. It won't teach you to play the clarinet, but I find it very helpful with reading and rhythm. Annual subscriptions are very reasonable, I think, for such a cool program.
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Author: Arhoolie
Date: 2009-04-08 15:57
I don't know of a book, dvd or computer programme that would ever come close to a good in the flesh teacher. Books and DVDs can't hear or see what you are doing wrong and correct you. So find a teacher and have lessons even if you can only manage a few.
I speak as someone who has recently started learning clarinet too, but I know the above applies from other instruments I play too.
As to which horn - that all depends on how much cash you have. I have a Yamaha 450 and like it very much but I have never owned anything else. My teacher, who plays a hi-end Buffet Crampon himself, reckons mine is a very sound instrument.
I'd suggest you find a store with lots of models and get them to blow them for you. Thats what I did. And thats also how I concluded that I needed to get a wooden clarinet rather than a plastic one.
Post Edited (2009-04-08 15:58)
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2009-04-08 20:16
Please, before just looking for a teacher, look for other clarinetists and ask them for their recommendations. Don't rush it. A bad teacher will put you off the instrument for the rest of your life!
Steve
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Author: D
Date: 2009-04-08 20:33
If you can find a group of adult learners somewhere in the community which you can join as soon as you know a few notes then you'll not only find it helps your playing, but that you also gets loads of helpful tips from the others. This will be invaluable if you can't have too many lessons and is also great fun.
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Author: musicalnotes
Date: 2009-04-09 15:12
Awesome, thanks guys and girls for you comments...I'm so in love with the idea of playing the clarinet, and I hope that with the advice you've given, I will be able to pick up a love for the rest of my life.
I think I kind of idolize/admire Julian Bliss and what he has accomplished at such a young age, and that further inspires me. Has anyone used his new line of Leblanc Bliss clarinets?
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The Clarinet Pages
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