 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Yusuf Zaid
Date: 2000-11-22 18:33
My name is Yusuf , I am 56 yrs old (young) and come from England.
I have had an interest in music all my life. My interest in music spans classical
instrumental, main stream jazz and 'good' popular music(music with imagination) I
played bass guitar for years, never learned music and played by ear. A couple of years
ago I bought an electric organ because I wanted to play music. I learned to play
reasonably well, at least no-one ran from the room when I played. Then I sold that
and bought a tenor saxophone, still played by ear. I got to grips with the instrument in
a short while, thoroughly enjoyed myself but the neighbours didn't! The sax had to
go....
Four months ago I was walking past a pawn shop and saw a ,clarinet for sale,dirt
cheap. My daughter was already studying music at the local comprehensive playing a
school instrument. I heard her playing one one evening at a school concert. It
sounded very good. .
I got stuck in and started to teach myself as is my way, playing by ear. I made a pigs
ear of it. As hard as I tried the instrument wouldn't respond to my willing fingers.My
daughter wasn't impressed either. She said it wasn't the same as the one she played at
school. Also at this time I decided it was about time I learned to read music, mainly
because my daughter was getting much better than me and I couldn't have that now
could I?
I also got onto the internet at that time and discovered Clarinet Bulletin Board
amongst other musical sites. Looking through this, I realized there might be
something wrong with my instrument. I took it to a chap who knows about these
things and discovered that there was nothing really right about it. It had no name and
the man told me it was practically a piece of junk. We got on well and he allowed me
to borrow an old insrument of his, an old Boosey and Hawkes, all be it in good
condition. It was amazing. I could get all the notes and was soon playing simple
scales and arpeggios.
I took it back to him ,played a bit and he told me my technique was all wrong, I didn't
hold the clarinet properly, hadn't I heard of tonguing, etc. He told me get yourself a
decent clarinet ( he suggested, and I bought a week ago, a Buffet B12, superb
instrument) and a tutor. Ah, sticking point. I had no funds to pay a tutor, family
commitments, etc. The wife said, 'No way! Food comes first!'..... Is that reasonable?
Well, two days ago I was talking to a clarinet tutor who comes to the junior school
where I work as site manager. We got to talking, she listened to me play.
The outcome of it all is that she has written down detailed instructions for a practice
routine and, providing I am serious about learning and practice the routine 5 days a
week( I can have Sat&Sun to recuperate) She will listen to me occasionally and set
me right on my mistakes. Is'nt she a nice lady? She also told me, by the way, to stop
playing 'tunes' and to stop that horrible wobble I call a vibrato. But she also said I had
potential. A compromise but I think a good one.
So now I'm on my way. I love the clarinet. It's a really expressive instrument and now
I'm getting to grips with the music theory, I'm getting really excited. By the way. I,m
working extra overtime so my daughter is getting her own clarinet this weekend.
I hope I haven't bored too many people out there. From what I've read so far you seem
a grand, friendly and helpful bunch. And I hope my experiences may in some way
help any beginners like myself who got off to a really shaky start ( or is that vibrato
start?).
I would love to see your comments and would gobble up any advice or criticism you
might like to give.Greetings to you all and take care.
Yusuf .
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2000-11-22 18:53
Great story. Stick with it and have fun. And as your tutor suggests, get rid of the vibrato. Clarinets use vibrato infrequently, so it is better that you learn to play without it and then maybe stick a little in later. Eventually you may find a community band to join. Here in the states there are a few cities that have bands made of adult beginners (e.g, in Indianapolis, the New Horizons Band). I'd also suggest checking in on this bulletin board frequently as you may pick up some good playing tips.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-22 19:00
You go, man!
The fingering guides located herein will really help.
The vibrato is good to add after a fundamental symphonic approach (best to have skills that may be "salted in" rather than characteristics to be suppressed.
Much like your sax, it starts with the reed. I recommend the synthetic Legere, made in Canada. I've tried the other plastic reeds, but this one is quite good although pricey. A synthetic reed will become a constant, as you learn your way 'round.
Natural cane is wonderful when "dialed in" but was a source of frustration in my first two months. This was a real pitfall that I could have avoided. I now use reeds that I make for my lessons and practice on the Legere 1/2 the time. (That is no more than my opinion... I haven't any substantiation.) if I develop a hitch in my gitalong, I go back to the Legere to sort things out.
A couple of quick hints before the more experienced posters chime in;
* A clarinet is rather heavy, and the weight is to be born exclusively on the right thumb. I use the Ton Kooiman thumbrest, but the Claricord elastic strap is a much cheaper solution. Wrist and elbow strain are real hazards for us beginners.
** You've got a good horn, now you need a quality mouthpiece that suits YOU.
Your tutor may have a few used ones available to try, finding one that fits your dentitia and resonates well can be eye opening.
*** An hour with the horn = an hour with your wife. I walk the same line between enthusiasm and obsession (it is such a cool sound).
**** Hear other players, live whenever possible.
I applaud your approach, it takes determination to do something new.
Congrats!
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Author: Steve Hartman
Date: 2000-11-22 19:03
Yusuf:
I would modify the junior school teacher's advice slightly: there's no reason not to practice every day if you want to, but you shouldn't feel guilty if you take a day off once in a while.
I hope you have a lot of fun with your new hobby.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-11-22 19:09
welcome aboard. Now you are a clarinet junkie. You will find good company here on the board. Quite a few are from you side of the pond. Be careful you may find this to be a lot of fun.
Keep the horn next to your computer and you can play for 5 minutes at a time, and find this a great way to practive.
Best of luck.
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-11-22 19:53
I must agree with Bob's comment. I keep one of my clarinets near my computer, and it seems a few times a day I pick it up and play a little klezmer or jazz on it. Just fun improv and memorized pieces. Good chance to work on style. If you ever get a spare clarinet, keep it on a stand where it is handy, it will get you practicing. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Roger
Date: 2000-11-22 21:42
Welcome to the club Yusuf. You will find the clarinet both a pleasing and frustrating instrument. Do not let frustration get you down. We all have it. In addition, be advised you can have a poor practice session where you make a lot of mistakes and then discover at the next practice session that you do not make those mistakes. Human learning is funny sometimes.
Please keep in touch on this board. We are a diverse group and are glad to have you on board.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-22 22:16
I echo all of the above, I've played clar, sax and oboe for 71 years and enjoy it more all the time. We have many on our BBoard who are late starters [and "resumers"] asking advice on many topics, so read and profit as all of us do. Best wishes, Don
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Author: beejay
Date: 2000-11-22 23:04
I started reading music from scratch and playing the clarinet seriously about four years ago when I was your age. I was lucky to find a good teacher, who makes me play scales, scales and more scales. I never thought I would get this far, but today I sat in the kitchen and sight-read the last movement of the Mozart clarinet concerto. Obviously, I didn't play it very well, but I was immensely happy with my achievement, and I suddenly thought that all those scales were worth while after all. So take heart. And practice scales.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-11-23 03:02
beejay--i think i will take your advice and do scales for a while. My main problem is keeping the beat or counting. Maybe scales will be a better method of improvement.
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Author: Simon
Date: 2000-11-23 04:52
Yusuf,
Practice scales, long notes for quality sound and take your time. Practice softly not too loud and slowly, listen to your tone don't rush. Record your self on tape and play it back and most of all enjoy your self. You will amaise your self. There is some wonderful advice from Sherman Friedman on this BB. I wish you luck!!
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Author: beejay
Date: 2000-11-23 10:25
Bob,
The advice I got on doing scales is never to play them so routinely that they become boring. Play them legato, staccato or mixed. Jazz them up. Start at the top. Do arpeggios, doubles and triplets. Play them long and slow, and never go faster until you have them down just right. Work on the most difficult note combinations. It does take time. I would guess I'm pretty fluent up to two sharps and flats, but I still have to work hard at the others. I started by using a book of scales by Guy Dangain, but my teacher prefers that I do them by memory. He says you don't get correct technique until the notes are in your head and in your fingers. He's been playing for more than 50 years, and he tells me he still starts every day with 10 or 15 minutes of scales and arpeggios, playing them at moderate speed and thinking about the value and intonation of each note. Makes you realize what a lot of hard work goes into being a professional. I too have problems with counting the beat, but here too, playing scales with a metronome seems to help. Best wishes.
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Author: Yusuf Zaid
Date: 2000-11-23 20:41
From Yusuf
Thank you very much everybody for your most warm welcome, your good wishes and your very welcome advice. I am definately hooked on the clarinet, ( you don't spell it like that,try again) I am definitely hooked on the clarinet and your encouragement gives me a real boost.
I will certainly keep in touch and if anyone wants to E/mail me do so by all means.
I've got a really good practice routine that I've put together, with ideas that I have snitched from the 'Clarinet BB' and with a great deal of assistance from my tutor friend who I can't afford to pay but is being extremely helpful. She has over 40 years experience, has played in orchestras and small ensembles in her life time.
She's a stern old stick with little sense of humour and quite frightening at times but she's extremely nice and has a heart of gold really, when you get to know her.
I'm writing out my practice routine and I think its worth putting on the board when its finished. It might help someone else. There is a section on scales which I practice every day. The routine has helped me forward enormously and is varied enough so that time simply flies by when I'm practicing. The enjoyment I'm getting out of it is out of this world.( there's somebody out there somewhere) Thanks again everybody, catch you again soon.
Keep in touch and take care.
Yusuf
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Author: JOHN GIBSON
Date: 2000-12-04 15:21
Yusuf....
enjoyed your story and am offering mine. I will be fifty in february. I started clarinet when i was in fifth grade. I think I was 11 years old. Played until 18. Picked it up a few times over the next few years but had concentrated mostly on playing drums. Just a month and a half ago I got the bug. Bought a Buffet r-13 made about 1967. Now...I can't wait to get home and put her together and play.
Wife thinks I'm nuts....she's right. I love the clarinet and though I'm able to blow it pretty well....I'm still struggling with reading the music. It is coming back though and even that is enjoyable. I've even started playing with the church worship team and am doing what I think God called me to do years ago....but wouldn't listen.
Enjoy Yusuf......
John
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