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New player, sort of

Author: JazzyAndrew
Date: 2012-11-08 13:39

I played clarinet for a year and half, stopping about 6 years ago when I put my finger in a bench plane at work. Lost the tip of the bone on the end of my left hand middle finger.

While it was healing I moved to South Korea and lived there for a couple of years. Then I moved to China for a bit over 3 years.

I am now in Istanbul, and bought a clarinet on impulse 8 days ago.

I have been practicing a bit, and am getting a bit better. Still, I wouldnt want to be one of my neighbours.

The clarinet I bought is a Palmer, and a few days later I bought a Rico mouthpiece set, all cheap. I am using Mitchell Laurie #3 reeds.

I managed to get the Kolay Clarinet Method book, in Turkish, which I dont read, but am getting through. I use a free metronome program on my phone, as well as a tuner. The tuner says I am, iirc, a bit sharp, but I think I will leave that alone for a while.

So far I have practiced:

1 Nov 30 mins
2 Nov 30 mins
3 Nov 30 mins + 30 mins
4 Nov 32 mins + 30 mins
5 Nov 30 mins + 30 mins
6 Nov 53 mins
7 Nov 50 mins
8 Nov 60 mins

I plan to do another 60 minutes today. I like to keep track of this stuff, it keeps me motivated.

So far I am up to Summertime, which is giving me some trouble with both the timing and getting the low E note, but I think I should be able to get it fairly well by the end of the day.

As I dont have a teacher, I am starting to record myself. I have memorized two songs so far, Jingle Bells and Lightly Row, the first because some friends are coming to visit soon and for some reasons they call me Santa. The second because I like it.

I plan to memorize Summertime too.

I have the CD that came with the book, but dont have a CD player, today I talked to the internet cafe guy across the street and will get him to convert it to mp3s for me.

If I play for a year I will reward myself with a better clarinet, unless I come across a good one for a good price in the meantime.
Any suggestions for somebody trying to get by without a teacher?

Andrew

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Re: New player, sort of

Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-11-08 13:52

If possible, get a teacher. You'll save SO much time, and not lock in on doing things wrong. You don't want to practice bad technique.

The Yamaha Advantage series books are GREAT to learn with. Many enjoyable short passages to dig into. (I'm using these now as a beginner 4 years into playing...)

Get a teacher. It's well worth it. Play with other people, but GET A TEACHER!

Best of luck,
Dave

This is a genuine signature.

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Re: New player, sort of

Author: Nessie1
Date: 2012-11-08 16:26

Whilst a teacher would probably be the best idea, it sounds to me as though you are doing a lot of good things - gradually increasing the time you play, working through a decent method book, memorising and recording are all great ideas.

Good luck and enjoy it!

Vanessa.

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Re: New player, sort of

Author: trebleclef
Date: 2012-11-09 20:03

if you are trying to learn without a teacher you need something which will explain the basics to you clearly. I came across a book called The Art of Clarinet Playing by Keith Stein. It doesn't have many notes in it being more of a guide to the fundamentals, such as how to form your embouchure or how to articulate properly, breath etc.. It is well recommended. I am sure that many will agree here...

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Re: New player, sort of

Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2012-11-09 21:02

Search for "how to play clarinet" on youtube. Lots of videos there, some might be of help.

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Re: New player, sort of

Author: JazzyAndrew
Date: 2012-11-20 19:43

Thanks for all your suggestions, I have spent some time on youtube and looking at other internet resources, there are few in English here.

I have now been playing for 20 days, and have done 24 hours of practice.

Today in my book I got to the part of the book where I am playing in the upper register.

It is tough. I am gripping the horn too tightly, and getting a sore left thumb! I know I have to relax my hand, and was able to get that happening towards the end of the day.

I am currently playing on Mitchell Laurie 2.5 reeds. Will using stronger reeds, say 3, make playing in the upper register easier?

a

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Re: New player, sort of

Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-11-20 19:51

JazzyAndrew wrote:

> I am currently playing on Mitchell Laurie 2.5 reeds. Will using
> stronger reeds, say 3, make playing in the upper register
> easier?

Depends entirely on the mouthpiece you are using.

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