 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jeff Gegner
Date: 2000-12-06 17:19
A little update. As a new player(less than 3 months at age 40) my clarinet actually sounded like a clarinet last night. What a thrill to have those deep rich tones finally come out of the horn with me playing it. I guess I am starting to catch on. Heck, I was even in tune(most of the time). Now If I just get all these damn fingerings to flow I might be able to play in couple of years. Thanks for all the support on the board. I am a tech head by nature and its nice to see a blend of the artistic side with technical side found on this board.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-12-06 18:07
Try and play as often as you can. Even 5 minutes at a time will bring many fruits. I have my horn right next to the computer, and when it is downloading (the computer) I can spend a few minutes on the horn
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Author: Yusuf Zaid
Date: 2000-12-06 19:43
I've been playing about the same time as you at the age of 56. I find it really excitng every time I successfully complete a new exercise and I can play just that much better. It is certainly a rewarding instrument to play. I have just started playing in the clarion register and am struggling to get over the 'break' smoothly. I'm taking Bob's advice much to heart and taking it very slowly. The thing is, I am making progress all the time.
I agree, this is a very good site with excellent people. I think we are very fortunate.
I wish you every success so keep in touch and take care.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2000-12-06 20:43
It 'sounds' like you're doing great, Jeff. I mean, if you're getting nice sounds at three months - well, that's excellent! You don't mention whether you have a tutor/teacher (whatever) but, if so, I'll bet he or she is quite proud of your accomplishment. It's the inspiring posts like yours that keep the rest of us, young and old(er), going 
Bob's right, I agree, (don't try to download your horn ! ). :]
Seriously, keep up your practicing and you'll soon blossom into a good player. From the enthusiasm of your post I can almost hear those rich tones over here. Keep 'em coming.
Wishing you all the best,
ron b
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Author: Jeff Gegner
Date: 2000-12-06 20:57
Well I have started bringing my clarinet with me to work. My office is very private. When I have 10 or 15 minutes I try and play a little. It has made a big difference. I do have a teacher, I asked him last lesson if we were moving at a normal pace. He said we were going pretty quick compared to most of his students. He knows I practice alot. One thing I am really surprised at is how many bad reeds you get in a box. As a novice I didn't expect to be able tell, but a bad reed just sounds horrible. When you get a good one you know it right away. I am currently using Vandoren 3's on a 5RV Lyre mouthpiece.
thanks for all the encouragement. Its good to know there are others in the same boat as me
Jeff.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-06 21:04
Makes you wonder who has the job of putting the one good reed into the box, dunnit.
At least with Crackerjacks, you know you'll always get a prize.
**
I'm on the same chart as you, just the next page. I'll enter my second year in February, and my 5th decade shortly thereafter. I really dig this thing.
The seductive side of this instrument is the gadgetry (I'm a self-confessed tinkerer.)
***
Congrats on picking this up, I hope you find it rewarding.
*****
Same questions I asked YZ, last month...
How is your right wrist holding up?
Have you heard of the Legere synthetic reed?
I work with the Vandy V-12s using Larry Guy's book (worth the money), and fall back on the Legere when the natural cane balks.
The Legere is not "All that and a bag of chips" but it is constant.
You go, man!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-06 22:14
One thing that is seldom communicated to beginners are the little mounting "tricks" that increase the number of "good" reeds in a box.
No two reeds will be exactly alike. One reed may need to be mounted a little higher than average, another a little lower. You may need to move your ligature up or down a bit to get the best out of any given reed. An occasional reed may need to be moved very slightly to one side or another. These are all very small differences in position but can make a huge difference in playability. You may end up combining them. i.e. moving the reed up and the ligature down for example.
Here's another tip. After soaking your reed by whatever method you prefer, press the tip of it flat on the table of the mouthpiece before mounting it on the mouthpiece. This corrects any tendency of the reed to curl in toward the mouthpiece, improving the playability.
Using these little tips gives me 8 or more good (or better) reeds out of a box with the other two being playable. If I then decide to fiddle with reed adjustment (which I rarely do any more), even those reeds that I didn't like move into the good category.
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Author: Jeff Gegner
Date: 2000-12-06 23:44
Anji, my wrist is fine. I am strong person and have had no problems holding the instrument, those muscles don't seem to get tired. I haven't tried any synthetics yet, my teacher is not a big fan of them.
To Dee, thanks for the tips. I'll take all the help I can get. If I could get 6 or 8 out of a box I would be thrilled. I don't always throw them away, as long as they play I can practice with them. I do move the reed around in an attempt to get them to play better. Sometimes it works, often it does not.
Thanks
Jeff.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-07 02:18
Just a point of reference abouth the synthetics,
The Bari plastic reed is not much to write home about, it's pretty much what you would expect.
I use the Legere when I haven't got a solid player yet dialed in, or the temperature/humidity changes rapidly (like the past two weeks) .
Nothing sounds like a nice piece of cane.
Congrats on taking the plunge, it takes some determination to start something new
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-07 02:18
Just a point of reference about the synthetics,
The Bari plastic reed is not much to write home about, it's pretty much what you would expect.
I use the Legere when I haven't got a solid player yet dialed in, or the temperature/humidity changes rapidly (like the past two weeks) .
I haven't tried the Fibracell.
Nothing sounds like a nice piece of cane. Getting a good one can be tough.
Congrats on taking the plunge!
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Author: Rene
Date: 2000-12-07 05:58
Hi Jeff, I started playing one year ago. I guess I have clarinet birthday now! And I am aged 44. Just want to take the opportunity to thank the BB for its help. The information here, and the contacts have been a great assistance. Many thanks to Dee especially, who alway takes the time to write something useful.
Right now, I am quite satisfied with my playing. I can now master the full normal range (to G) of the clarinet in a decent fashion, and have a good and nice tone (so others say). I practiced about an hour each day the last year (more is no good I think).
Of course, there are numerous things to fight with, not the least finger dexterity. Also, I am currently a bit frustrated about reeds, having found one that is really great, and always comparing the others with this specific one. Water is still a problem for me.
Good luck!
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Author: Christoffer
Date: 2000-12-07 21:01
I am now approaching my one month clarinet birthday, and I am really surprised about the rapid progress I seem to make. Not that I have become a great player in a month, but I feel that I make a giant leap every other day. Not EVERY day, though, because when I really have gone "whauw!" after a good day of practicing, I feel too self-confident and do not concentrate properly the day after - psychology really has a lot to say :-) But I occsasionally have this great experience that I forget that I am practicing and struggling with air support, embouchure etc., and simply feel that I am PLAYING real MUSIC. Earlier encounters with stringed instruments never brought me that far.
I do agree with Dee, when it comes to reeds; actually, I haven't yet met one of those infamous, unplayable reeds that everybody seem to speak of. They sound different, indeed, but they all work for me, given a little bit of careful adjustment.
Keep up the good work, Jeff; I thought I was an old newcomer at the age of 29 - this BBoard certainly has proved me wrong :-)
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Author: jerry
Date: 2000-12-10 11:31
In my third month now (age 62). First month was rewarding but I've gotten bogged down these past two..............don't feel as though I'm making any progress. As far as reeds are concerned, I guess I am still blaming the *poor* sound on me because I havn't found any bad reeds. I can't seem to find a teacher I am satisfied with though. But every time I listen to a CD of PF, ED or whoever, I get cranked up to continue to practice & learn. Congratulations on your success thus far.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-10 12:32
jerry wrote:
>
> First month was rewarding
> but I've gotten bogged down these past two..............don't
> feel as though I'm making any progress.
Just a word of encouragement. Everyone hits plateaus where they feel like they are not making progress.
Keep trying to find a suitable teacher though. It truly helps a lot once you have the right one. Just a word of caution. Sometimes it takes a little time for you and a teacher to develop a good working relationship so don't jump ship too early.
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