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RE: a young clarinetist...suggestion?s

Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-04-16 22:50

While I am not a pro. yet but rather a junior in high-school I think I can give some advice. My goal is to become a soloist on the clarinet and also realize the advantages a woodwind speacalist will have out of college. I play all the winds minus the bassoon and know from experience that if you want to be a succesful musician stick to one instrument or family.

I find it wonderful and refreshing to find another soul with the passion and enthusiasm that I did and still do. I thought it would be an advantage to dabble in brass. It would be if I set out to be a music teacher but it almost permantly ruined my chops. I can not say that one cannot play both the brass and woodwinds well but I know that if you have your goals set high one must be better than great.

My advice is practice hard on your Bb clarinet and make this your bread and butter. Then try the other members of the clarinet family. Learning the sax from this point should be no problem. (You then have a popular doubling combo for jazz)
Taking it a step further take up the flute (lessons are recomended) Then try your hand at the oboe (the most challenging to learn.) But always, ALWAYS remember the clarinet is your main instrument.

Doing this will alow you to keep strong on your clarinet so you will someday get that orchestra job but in the meantime have the doubling or tripling instruments at your disposal. You will never be asked to double on the clarinet and trumpet.

Best of luck to you on your musical endeavors.

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