 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jomoxhwang
Date: 2010-06-14 01:20
Hello,
I've been stalking this bulletin/forum for a while, and decided to make an account to ask a question to the general public of clarinet lovers: why study clarinet, but not flute or violin or piano, but why clarinet?
I am posed to ask this question for advice, because I will be entering college this coming fall, and would like to pursue music performance. This question has been bothering me for a while, as I like the piano just as much, if not more, as I like the clarinet. I do have to say, however, I was inclined to study the clarinet more so than the piano as a growing youth, because my parents simply liked it more. If I were to pursue studying the piano in college, I know I will need to get down to crazy practicing over the summer, and hope for the best in college.
So why do we study what we study? Is it the sound that the instrument produces? Is it the aesthetic value (clarinet does look cool)? Is it one's family and influences from others (and in this case, I feel that if I were to pursue the clarinet simply because I was led to play it because of others, I feel that such decision lacks the individual's, my, input in which instrument to study)?
I am not considering studying both instruments, as a music student from USC has recently confirmed how hard it is to pursue just one...
Thank you for your input, in advance!
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-06-14 01:45
" why study clarinet, but not flute or violin or piano, but why clarinet?"
Everyone here has, for some reason or another, found the clarinet their means of expression. This has necessitated a great deal of effort for all of us.
But every other instrument is studied just as much as the clarinet is. So as far as I can discern you are asking why do WE study clarinet?
Because the sound of the clarinet is our chosen means of expression.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2010-06-14 02:18
I'd be hard pressed to come up with an answer better than James's: "Our chosen means of expression."
It is a personal choice. Period.
It's not about what someone else would like us to play, or what we think will make us more popular or more attractive to employers, or more attractive.
You need a piano for Chopin's nocturnes, and a violin for so many pieces of virtuoso and orchestral music.
Is the clarinet better than the piano or the flute or the french horn or the violin? No. But it's my choice for me.
Now you choose.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-06-14 02:54
I've only been playing for 2 years, but FWIW in addition to the beautiful sound of the instrument, I love a good challenge...one that I have to work hard at to see good results, and one that always can be improved on with the right kind of study and practice.
For me, it's not an easy instrument to learn; however, I get a lot of pleasure every time I reach a new plateau (small though it may be).
I don't set unrealistic goals. I know I'll never go further than playing in the local community band, but for me, that's a big deal!
CarlT
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-06-14 04:29
Have you ever noticed how some people immediately take to certain things and never really take to others? For me, I always fit right in with the clarinet ever since starting on it in 4th grade. There were times when it wasn't easy, but it always felt like something I was meant to play. When I was in high school, completely on my own, I'd spend evenings practicing the Mozart, Weber, and Spohr concertos. Later on, I picked up and started practicing the Stravinsky Three Pieces, something my teacher had no interest in and didn't encourage.
I picked up sax in high school, and I also had some piano lessons along the way. I'm decent on sax and mediocre on the piano and I enjoy both instruments. Still, neither instrument "does it" for me like the clarinet.
You just have to find what "clicks" with you. When I was in high school, I never liked English classes, especially the literature ones. I'd read the books, and I usually earned decent grades, but I hated the way we'd have to analyze everything. I always felt like English teachers sucked all of the joy out of most books by making us look for symbolism, conflict, turning point, etc. There was no way I'd ever major in English! I felt the same way about chemistry. I did all right, but it just didn't "click" with me. This was back in the days when everyone used slide rules, and I never really felt comfortable with them.
If you have any doubts about majoring in clarinet performance, don't do it. If you prefer the piano, by all means go with it. Take some lessons, and start practicing like crazy during the next few months.
Post Edited (2010-06-14 04:32)
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Author: Ms. B
Date: 2010-06-14 05:07
I Love the way the clarinet sounds. I recently picked up my clarinet after not playing since college days. I got myself a great teacher and I'm loving every minute of reaquainting myself with my clarinet. You have to go with whatever feels right for you. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2010-06-14 07:56
I believe that people study music regardless of what instrument they play or indeed sing because of that burning desire that is inside. The desire to create something artistic and beautiful. To be able to express ones self through their choosen means whether that be playing an intstrument, composing or conducting. For me this happened to be the clarinet and the influence of my teachers at a young age that introduced me to the wonder that is music.
I really feel that you can't play an instrument for the sake of playing it, they needs to be more.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-14 09:50
Initially I never liked clarinet - probably put off it by the sounds beginners made when I was at school. But after I took up sax and realised the exam syllabus was pretty dull for that and seeing big band players doubled on clarinet I thought I'd give it a shot.
When I started college, a new lecturer - Martin Harlow, who is also a very fine clarinettist started there at the same time, and as I hadn't taken any grades on woodwinds I decided to take them on clarinet as at least the exam syllabus was more suited to clarinet than sax, and having a clarinet specialist there who knew the instrument and repertoire inside and out was too good an opportunity to pass up on. So within the two or so years there with clarinet as my main instrument (wasn't allowed to do any other woodwinds as a second study, so I did double bass) and studying with him I ended up getting grade 8 with distinction.
Shame I packed it in afterwards what with the high cost of tuition fees and no funding as I wanted to do the advanced certificate.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2010-06-14 13:22
I started it because it looked approachable. Strings and keys looked alien to me as a child.
I keep it up because I like the sound. And the camaraderie. I think the clarinet sound is often underrated and I like to set people's ears straight (I've met a couple of very dismissive pianists!). And it's something I can practice at and get better. I mean, I'm hopeless at sport...
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-14 13:39
If you had the choice between clarinet and Vuvuzela, which would it be?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-06-14 13:46
In my youth many of us took up the instrument of one of our musical heroes, in my case Benny Goodman. He, as well as Woody Haerman and Artie Shaw were responsible for many kids taking up the clarinet. Many students take up the instrument the band director suggests or switches them to. If you're considering taking up music performance you better be prepared to practice a great deal all the time because if you're not amongst the very best on your instrument, and then a bit lucky, you'll never get a good job, if any job at all. Check out my website and read the page I have on symphony jobs in America, it will give you some idea of what it takes to get a job in our country. Of course there are other music professions other than performing in an orchestra. Good luck, ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-06-14 14:26
Very simply, we study the clarinet so we don't have to study the saxophone.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-14 14:33
HAHAHA! Good one Paul!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-06-14 15:09
Chris P. wrote,
>>If you had the choice between clarinet and Vuvuzela, which would it be?
>>
That depends on what I'm choosing the instrument to do. If I ever want to drive everybody around me bonkers and set every dog in the neighborhood howling, then naturally I'll choose a Vuvusela! Come to think of it, I haven't got a Vuvuzela...yet. Hmmm.... [Evil grin.]
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: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-06-14 15:16
I always loved the sound of the clarinet. When beginning in fourth grade, I also considered sax, but went the clarinet way instead. I tried sax in high school, but never enjoyed it as much as playing clarinet. Somnething about the sound, I think.
Since then I have also learned some classical guitar and piano, but I still love clarinet mor ethan any instrument. I was never quite good enough to make a go of it as a pro, or even a performance major, but I still love playing.
Jeff
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2010-06-14 15:42
I have a somewhat different perspective, and it may be helpful to the o.p.
I played the clarinet in jr. hi and high school because that was the instrument my parents chose for me to play. I had no say whatsoever in the choice, and I was never happy with it. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I felt that way from day one, at age 13, and I still feel that way now more than 50 years later.
That said, I loved to make music, and I would have played anything they put in my hands, so desperate was I to be a musician. I did get pretty good on the clarinet, because more than anything, I loved making music, and it was my only option for doing that at the time.
I didn't totally give it up until just a few years ago, when I became an oboist and english hornist. NOW I have an instrument that I am passionate about! My only regret is that I didn't come to grips with my ambivalence about the clarinet sooner, when I might have had more time to fully embrace an instrument I love.
Susan
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Author: mrn
Date: 2010-06-14 17:21
Quote:
If you had the choice between clarinet and Vuvuzela, which would it be?
Well, one advantage of the vuvuzela is that you can always play everything on the Bb vuvuzela--no one expects you to have an A vuvuzela, or a C vuvuzela, etc... 
Certainly, it's a matter of personal preference what instrument(s) one plays, but as instruments go, the clarinet does have some distinct advantages.
1.) Range -- The clarinet has one of the largest (and most useful) ranges among wind instruments.
2.) Dynamic Range -- The clarinet has the largest dynamic range (range of volumes, that is) of all the wind instruments. We're not the loudest, but we can make the most variation between loud and soft, and we can play more softly than any other wind instrument.
3.) Technical Agility -- Although we have a few quirks in our fingering layout, such as the throat tones and the altissimo register, the clarinet's ability to play technical passages is (at least among wind instruments--strings are different story) rivaled only by the flute. Where the clarinet does surprisingly well is in its low register, since other winds (like the flute and sax) are much more difficult to play in the lowest parts of their range.
4.) Repertoire -- We may not have the kind of huge repertoire the violinists have, but what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality. Just to give two examples, the Mozart Concerto is widely considered to be one of the best works he ever wrote, and the Brahms Quintet is considered by many to be Brahms' finest chamber work.
5.) Stylistic Versatility -- The clarinet is equally at home in a variety of genres and ensembles--in orchestral music, chamber music, wind ensemble/band music, jazz [of all kinds], klezmer, polka, Latin music (especially in Brazil), and many other folk genres--not to mention the occasional use of clarinets in commercial pop and rock music (by artists such as The Beatles, Billy Joel, and Supertramp).
6.) Timbral Versatility -- The clarinet has a really broad spectrum of possible tone qualities it can produce--really more so than most other woodwinds.
So while I would agree with the notion that it's what one wants to express artistically that drives someone to choose one instrument over another, I think a decent case can be made that the clarinet generally affords the skilled musician with a much greater than average range of expressive possibilities as compared to other orchestral instruments. Consequently, it's a good instrument for a wide variety of different musical personalities and, by extension, a wide variety of different players as well.
Post Edited (2010-07-16 16:41)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-06-14 17:33
I don't study the clarinet, but I like to play one occasionally. Sometimes I fix one. Haven't actually studied anything since I got my graduate degree several centuries ago.
That said, I started on clarinet back in the 5th grade because I wanted to play some sort of instrument that was more portable than my Dad's 9-foot Steinway grand, and about then my older brother was quitting the clarinet and handed me down his Vito. I actually didn't like soprano clarinet much, so switched to bass clarinet in the 7th grade and that was the instrument I fell in love with. It was literally decades later before I starting finding any sort of joy in playing the soprano clarinet. As to why, who knows? I'm not a self-psychiatrist.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2010-06-15 00:06
Ed and Susan summed up my experience . . . pretty much guided into clarinet by my beginning band director and found that I loved being a part of a musical group. Making music . . . camaraderie . . . a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself. For me, it wasn't the clarinet itself but the access to all these other things that it brought.
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Author: jomoxhwang
Date: 2010-06-15 02:03
First of all, thank you to all who have responded with very thoughtful replies (yes, including Vuvuzuela, haha). Mrn's post regarding the advantages a clarinet gives is very convincing, and ultimately provides a different approach to assessing an instrument; Ohsuzan's personal anecdote that seems to parallel my situation (and perhaps even foreboding...); Ed Palanker's youthful story (too bad all that kids pick up are guitars, to follow the musical trend of the adolescent); Clarinetguy, I wish I "stuck" to the first instrument that I ever laid my fingers on and never looked elsewhere (I did start out with the violin, until my brother broke my strings and they never got replaced); Tobin-James and Cigleris's posts regarding instrument as a projection of one's musical expressions; Jjalbretch and Chris P's love for the sound of the clarinet (I can definitely agree); and so on.
I want to take my time to reply back to Clarinetguy and Ohsuzan, for their posts keep resounding in my head: I do have doubts about studying the clarinet and wouldn't like to regret this moment if I were to choose to pursue it. I feel that - despite whatever I come out of after studying whichever instrument - if I were to pursue the piano now, I won't be looking back and think: "I wish I had played a different instrument." The piano has always been a dazzling instrument that I wanted to devote myself into, except I was scared by the discouraging (and caring for the best, secured life) sentiments that my parents got out to me. I've recently met an inspirational student going to Peabody Conservatory to study the piano, and I no longer think of studying music as some sort of a myth that I had thought it to be. As Clarinetguy mentioned, I'll contact a piano teacher that I know of and get down to it right away.
Thank you for all of your inputs!
Sincerely,
Hojoon
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Author: annev
Date: 2010-06-15 02:37
Hojoon, It sounds like you have found your way. Certainly if the piano dazzles you, then that is the direction you should go. It will be the form that your creative expression wants to take.
I just wanted to mention one other thought. Even if the piano becomes your professional choice, you can still enjoy the clarinet on a more modest level (perhaps after your studies, if necessary). I'm just an amateur, but I have three instruments that I enjoy - piano, voice and clarinet. I often think of them as a braid - each one offers me unique opportunities for that particular instrument, but they also enrich eachother. Sometimes there are techniques that cross over and sometimes it's just a different awareness of the music (when I sing, I hear the harmonies and movement in the piano underneath; when I play clarinet I'm aware of voice and resonance; when I play piano the harmonies can feel like parts of the orchestra). I think if you keep the clarinet as part of your life you will still be able to enjoy what it has to offer and allow it to enrich your development as a professional pianist. Learning is never lost. Anyway, good luck!
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Author: Sarah M
Date: 2010-06-15 03:09
It is interesting how similar your experience is to mine, as I am a clarinetist and a pianist, and I just completed a year of voice studies. I'm also quite tossed up between whether to pursue clarinet further or become a collaborative pianist (which seems quite appealing to me....and if you are good there is LOTS of work out there). I'm basically at the same level at both (though just slightly higher now with clarinet than piano since I majored in clarinet at university though still keeping my piano at a high level). I very much used that "braided" theory of musical expression, I think that is a great way of putting things! I'm just wondering the opinion from those on the board whether becoming a professional collaborative pianist is just as competitive as entering the world of professional clarinetistry?
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Author: justme
Date: 2010-06-15 03:53
Hojoon:-,
As someone that played piano many years ago and put in the time I do have one small suggestion...
Be sure that you are willing and able to be able to practice it 5-6 hours a day.
I know that many will say that you could also practice as much on the clarinet, but whereas you might be inclined to practice perhaps an hour or two some days on the clarinet, if you really want to stay in top form on the piano, you really can't slack off.
This is one of the reasons that I gave up piano ( even though I sometimes think of starting again on it) as the 5-6 hours of practice every day got to be a bit too much, really it can become a lifestyle.
If you want to play concert piano at a decent level, it takes being chained to the piano bench a good part of your life, at least with me this was the case and you'll find it to be the case with many other concert pianists.
I know the piano is a great instrument and easy to start on and get good sounds, many people can play it, but to master it is a whole different matter.
I don't mean to discourage you, I'm only saying this to be sure that you're willing to spend a good part of your life practicing and sacrificing to both get and stay at a high level of ability that many others don't achieve on the instrument if you hope to some day be able to play at the level that a pro classical pianist is on.
If you're just learning to play for fun and some other styles that don't take as much effort, then of course, it will be a lot easier, but it will still take more effort than you think it does, but if you're shooting to be a pro classical concert pianist be forewarned, it's a tough road and after you get there you'll still have to do those long hours of practice and forego other things.
So be sure you know what you want and what is involved.
One really good thing about it is that when you reach a certain level, you'll be invited to all sorts of parties and events, if that's your cup of tea.
Take Care
Justme
"A critic is like a eunuch: he knows exactly how it ought to be done."
CLARINET, n.
An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments that are worse than a clarinet -- two clarinets
Post Edited (2010-06-15 03:55)
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Author: William
Date: 2010-06-15 15:09
Because, like most kids, I would not listen to my Dad who wanted me to play the trumpet. As a third grader going into fourth, I just thought that the clarinet with all of those keys and pads looked a lot more interesting than a piece of metal with just three buttons. Now that I am older and have learned about *reeds*.........WHY DIDN'T I LISTEN TO MY DAD!!!!!!!
Post Edited (2010-06-15 15:12)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-06-16 09:14
When I started at a new school at age 13, they needed some spare clarinettists for positions that would become vacant in the school orchestra in a year or so. At the urging of the music teacher, and because I was familiar with the music of Sid Phillips, I became one of his prospects, and later continued to play while I was in the air force, just a bit of jazz and the station band. I then put it away for 45 years. My real love was classical guitar, but for various reasons I didn't take it up until I was 40. I took up the clarinet again in my late 60's, and now play both with more enthusiasm than skill.
Tony F.
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2010-06-16 12:46
To go back to the original query, I think that the only and best reason to choose an instrument is because you love that instrument - in terms of the sound it makes, the way it feels to play, its repertoire etc. It seems a bit strange that you are asking this question of a lot of clarinet lovers! However if what you are saying is that you felt pushed into the clarinet by your parents, now is the time to make your own choice.
To succeed at any instrument at the college/conservatoire/budding professional level takes enormous dedication and lots of hard work so if you prefer piano, go for that! You might as well put all of that time and effort into something you enjoy.
On the other hand, if you are hoping to make some kind of living out of music (of whatever kind) it might be worth keeping up the clarinet a bit (say by playing in a community band or two) so that you could possibly coach a school band or teach some beginner/elementary clarinets etc. later to bump up the income.
Hope this helps
Vanessa.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2010-06-16 13:41
Amen, Vanessa.
It seems to me, if you have to ask why you should pursue clarinet playing, you already know the answer. In this case, it's the piano.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-06-16 17:15
Alex wrote: "Some say that you don't choose the instrument... it chooses you."
Others say: "If life hands you lemons...make lemonade."
![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
I prefer Bb bass lemonade, thank you.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-06-16 17:26
The Alto Clarinet enhances my personality. So there. :-)
--
Ben
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Author: sinkdraiN
Date: 2010-06-16 18:26
I am a sax player who picked up clarinet later. Clarinet just has a certain tone and resonance that I really like.
...the leader of a group who hired me for my last gig told me I look like a clarinet. I assure you that is not why I play it! : )
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2010-06-16 18:57
If I could, I'd play both piano and clarinet. You can't play chords on a clarinet. It's the only limitation!
(My solution in the past has been to join a clarinet quartet :D )
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Author: Bartmann
Date: 2010-06-16 20:48
As a youth I started on the clarinet because I loved the sound: the chalumeau is so completely different than the clarion. For a pipe that small it really packs a nice, hefty sound.
I was small kid with a good eye for detail and selecting, scraping, sanding, and soaking reeds was something I actually enjoyed doing. Long after my embouchure would die, I would spend time on reeds. I loved all the parts of a clarinet and took my time disassembling the joints carefully wiping off the cork and cleaning the keys with a toothbrush. I loved the idea that even when I wasn't playing the clarinet, there were lots of clarinet activities to keep my young obsessive mind busy.
Towards the end of college that I was began to develop pain in my jaw and right wrist. So I realized that my obsession was something that I would have to curtail.
Fast forward to graduate school, MBA and a heavy duty job in executive management. I became more of a big picture person who leaves details to specialists. Time is now more precious than money and I only have about three hours a week to make music. The clarinet and its reed eccentricities no longer suited my personality. So several years I started lessons on the flute; which for me is much less fussy, and simpler in many respects. There are no tonal surprises based on reeds, and it's a breeze to set up and break down. I can guarantee that I will always sound the way I want. And consistency is something that I like in my life right now. I love it's tone and how vibrato makes it tone very complex.
During my retirement I can see myself returning to the clarinet. My only concern is that I have become too good on the flute, and will not want to put in the effort necessary to get back up to speed.
But in the end, as long as I'm making music, I'm happiest: flute or clarinet, it doesn't make a difference.
Bartmann
Post Edited (2010-06-17 14:05)
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-06-16 21:09
I played the Clarinet initially because the Tuba is too lumbering a hulk for me to lug around to practice with all the time if all I had to do is to get familiarized with what's written on the scores.
It was back in high school when I picked up Clarinet for the first time. At around grade 10 or so, I decided to rent one along with a Tuba since it's just that much lighter... and I found myself sounding alot better than most of the intermediate band clarinet section for some odd reason.
At that time, I paid very little heed to what instrument, what mouthpiece and what ligature I should use. I was fed on a staple diet of Rico 2 or 2 1/2 and I really could've cared less for matters of sanitation. I left the instrument assembled through the 1 hour course fully assembled while letting saliva drip on the music stand as one reed after another got clipped by my teeth. Those were the days.
I stopped after high school, with less than 1000 hours I think in all on the instrument which I got no instruction from, and left it that way until 2007, 4 years later, when I forked $60 for an Artley horn. As this was on my own volition and after the vigors of teen age have past, I paid far more respect to the instrument which I own.
I've always loved the sheer range and versatility of the instrument, along with its expressive nature. It really sounds humane. When not grounded with the Classical school, the instrument can speak such a foreign language that it's almost astonishing to believe.
C harmony clarinet in particular caters to this amateur more so than any other. It echoes very loudly of the Chalameau and Alto recorder, while packs all the benefits that Klosé and Auguste Buffet ushered forth in the 19th Century. I think I would possess a C along with a Bb specimen, while bypassing that of A.
Post Edited (2010-06-16 21:16)
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2010-06-17 20:21
I am a sax player who came to the clarinet because a coousin of mine whom I admire plays it. I felt somehow incomplete without being able to double, since so many reed players do. Now that I've worked hard for a few years on the clarinet, it is no longer my "second" instrument, but I love it equally with the the sax and probably play it more because it takes more work than the sax.
Leonard
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Author: plclemo
Date: 2010-06-19 11:30
I've played the clarinet since the 3rd grade. (I'm 50 years old now.) I started in elementary band playing the cornet. But then got braces. The orthodontist did not like the effect the cornet was having on his work. He INSISTED that I quit but that if I really wanted to play a musical instrument then choose flute, clarinet or sax. I chose clarinet and have been playing it since. However, I can also play sax and bassoon. I played bassoon in my high school orchestra for 4 years. Now I am learning to play the oboe. I guess woodwinds are just in my blood.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2010-06-21 00:06
A short answer to the question is "Because I love it".
One of the things I've discovered about my self as a doubler is I have a somewhat different style on each of my instruments. Thus, when I'm playing jazz I do certain things on clarinet (and bass clarinet) that I might not do exactly the same as on saxophone.
The clarinet has an remarkable range of expression in additional to having a unique sound. No other instrument sounds like the clarinet.
Roger
http://www.amc.net/RogerMAldridge
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-06-21 01:47
I was signed up for band class in 7th grade. The first day of school I showed up without an instrument. The band director handed me a tuba mouthpiece and pointed to a sousaphone. That was to be my lot until I decided to take it home that day after school. I lived a couple of miles away, and I was riding my bicycle. The sousaphone ended up in pretty bad shape by the time I got home. Dad had a fit, and told me that if I wanted to be in band I had to come up with a smaller instrument. The following weekend he found a clarinet in a garage sale. It had no pads, so he bought a set of "Micro" pads at the local music store, and told me that if I wanted to be in band I had to repair the clarinet. My failed attempt ended up with model airplane cement all over the clarinet and trip to the local repair shop. Mr. Ward, repaired the clarinet to play, handed me a small box of pads and a tube of pad cement, and sent me on my way without charging me.
Nearly 50 years later I'm still repaying him by passing along the favor to those that need it.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-06-21 15:38
Hey Roger, nothing sounds quite like an accordion, or a kazoo, or a vuvuzela either! They have unique sounds, too.
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2010-06-21 16:30
I wish I could tell you why I study the clarinet! I had already been playing guitar and piano for 25 years when one evening, at the age of 40, I was watching "The Benny Goodman Story" on TV and suddenly said, "That's what I really want to do -- play the clarinet!" Of course, what I meant was, "...play the clarinet like Benny Goodman!" I've been studying it and playing it ever since. But not, alas, like Benny.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
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Author: plclemo
Date: 2010-06-21 20:09
Mike, For me your story could be inverted. I've been playing clarinet for 40 years and am just now taking oboe (for 2 months) and piano (for 3 years) lessons. It's just FUN learning to play a new instrument. I have some severe memory issues from brain surgery in 1995 and learning a new instrument (or 2) is great therapy.
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Author: Bassman
Date: 2010-07-16 09:12
I didn't choose to play the clarinet. My elementary school was having try outs, testing out the musical abilities of the students who had an interest in music. My mother knew that I loved music and she forbid me to go to the tryouts because we had no extra money to buy an instrument. Needless to say, I went anyway and I hid behind the stage curtains until I could get to the band director at the piano. I was hiding behind the curtain, because the tryouts were right across from the cafeteria and my mother worked there! Well, she had spotted me, but I got to try out. I wanted to play drums. My mother came over to where I was talking to the director and he told her that I had good musical ability and should be playing a woodwind. I didn't know what a woodwind was, but if I couldn't play the drums, I wanted to play the trumpet, or at the very least, a sax! Nothing doing...I should play a clarinet. Fortunately, the director had one that I could borrow, and eventually, my mother saved up and got me a used Selmer Segnet, which I still have. Now...did I grow to love the Bb clarinet? No, I can't say that I did. In my last year of high school, my director stated that we were in need of a bass clarinet player and the school had one that could be borrowed. I volunteered to play it, because at least it kind of looked like a sax! Well, it was love at first blow! I loved it. Long story short...After high school, I didn't play for 40 years. I recently retired, found out that there was a local community band that plays for charity, and I ordered a bass clarinet. I have joined the band and am re-learning to play. I am really enjoying getting re-acquainted with the bass clarinet...and you want to know something cool? My old band director who needed someone to play the bass clarinet plays trombone in the band and is the associate director! Life is full circle! I think that reading the music is great exercise for my old brain and I believe that my breathing is better as I am certainly exercising my lungs! I am very thankful to all my instructors throughout the years and to my mother for encouraging me once she realized that I had the ability to play. I grew up pretty poor (although I didn't really know it at the time) and I know that my mother really had to sacrifice and work hard in order to buy my first clarinet. God rest her soul!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-07-16 16:05
I would suggest either a duble major or minoring in one of those instruments. When I was in college I minored in piano. It was a great help if you get into conducting, because of being able to read many lines at once.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2010-07-18 20:25
I ve always had a deep love for the clarinet, the way it looks,sounds and just overall different and complex. and music for it is mostly challenging.
I was forced to play sax in jr high, high and college because males were not allowed to play clarinet and flutes, so sax was the next thing comparable to the clarinet. I developed a hatred for the sax due to always getting no exciting parts to play it was heavy and awkard. granted it was easier to play being an octave instrument as opposed to one in 12ths .
I graduated college and purchased my own clarinet took some lessons and joined a couple local bands. I only wish i had been able to take it up earlier as i would be much better on it by now.
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Author: winthropguy
Date: 2010-07-31 00:55
I started out on alto sax in the sixth grade, played the bari sax in the eighth grade, and during a study hall as a freshman in high school, decided I wanted to learn the clarinet. My teacher grabbed a beat-up plastic Bundy out of the storage closet, found a mouthpiece, reed and a beginner's book, and told me to enjoy.
And I did. That semester, I placed third chair in our concert band and made All-State band without any help or guidance. For some reason, the basics of it just came naturally to me. At the urging of my band director, my parents forked over money for a clarinet teacher, and by my senior year I was placing first in every honor band clinic I attended and was one of four clarinet students chosen for Governor's School for the Arts.
And when I graduated high school, I quit. I'd worn myself out and knew that I would never have the devotion or motivation to deal with the competitiveness of being a professional clarinetist. But after a ten year break, I came back last year because I just felt that something was missing in my life. I'd hear a great clarinet piece on the radio and my eyes would water.
Honestly, I don't know why I enjoy the clarinet more than other instruments. I appreciate the skill required for other instruments, but there really is just something about the sound of a clarinet - the depth, resonance, and versatility of it - that speaks to me. I appreciate the tone quality and (for lack of a better word) simplicity of the sound, even though we all know there's nothing simple about a good clarinet sound.
I haven't looked at my alto sax since the tenth grade, and even though I would have been willing to swear as a sixth grader that I was destined to become a saxophone legend... I've never missed it.
So I'm content to work in marketing and just be an amateur clarinet player, because the two combined fill the creative void. I can't speak for what drives anyone else, but my advice would be - and this goes for all aspects of your life, not just your music - to find your passion by following your heart.
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Author: Bassman
Date: 2010-07-31 06:52
Well said Winthropguy. My last post was deleted by the moderator because all I said was "Well Said". Too few words and not worth much on a board of this size. More noise than information. I understand, so allow me to elaborate.
In 2008, I was able to retire at 55 years of age and 36 years with the US Government. A good friend asked me what I was going to do once I retired. I wasn't sure...but it wasn't going to be a job. He asked me what my passion was. That made me think. Music was always one of my passions, as I had played various instruments and sang in various groups most of my life. In the last few years of my job, all I did was work and I had no time for music. In those years I felt that something was missing in my life. I was upstairs and cleaning up a bit, when I happened to see my old clarinet in the corner. I had kept it since my high school days, just as a keepsake. It got me to thinking. In my last year of high school, I played bass clarinet and I loved it. I started searching on the internet to see if there might be a local community band around and there it was...right down the road from me. Long story short, I ordered a new bass clarinet and joined the band. I love it. I am so thankful that I can still play and there is a local group of good people to play with. So your advice is right on...discover your passion, follow your heart...and life will be good!
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2010-07-31 12:19
Because the tuba is way too boring, I couldn't stop hyperventilating on the flute, my brother's trumpet didn't like me and wouldn't play, and the clarinet was so easy! I still find it easy. And I like the complicated music that the clarinet can play... it's challenging. Besides, I love the sound of it. The next choice would be piano, but it would have to be a great quality grand piano. I guess after all these years I'm spoiled by having hear these close up.
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The Clarinet Pages
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