Author: Musikat
Date: 2017-09-21 01:49
I was and am in your situation regarding your child. I got back into playing about 4 1/2 years ago and have come back up to where I was if not farther in that time. My son decided to start clarinet last year.
I did buy a used Yamaha for him (because I felt comfortable trying it out for him), but did the rental the previous year for violin, which I know less than nothing about. I figured he would have this instrument for marching band and get a better one if he stays with it.
Regarding reeds, I thought he could start with orange box Rico 2's, which we did, but because I was a Vandoren reed player, I also bought him a box of blue box 2's. We found the Vandorens, when they were good, produced a much nicer tone, even at a beginner level, but he was having trouble finding good ones. So I then decided to change his mouthpiece.
If I could recommend one thing for your daughter it would to spend the $35 on either the Fobes or Behn beginner mouthpieces. Both were recommended to me by multiple people on this board and we ended up going with the Behn. I can tell you it made an immediate difference. It came the day of his Spring concert and he noticed the improvement himself. Also, the Vandorens that were stuffy and hard to play were suddenly much more playable.
Other than that, I am acting as his "teacher" because I can't afford the lessons right now, although I know a great teacher and if he continues into middle and high school we will invest in lessons with her. I have been trying to walk that line of not pushing too hard, but making sure he practices enough to get better and uses good form when he does. I mostly "nag" him not to puff his cheeks, to tighten the corners of his mouth, sit up straight and breathe from his diaphragm. When he wants to move faster than his band teacher goes and learn something new, I help him.The only thing we have issues with is he doesn't like to learn the "boring" stuff from me, so I made him a deal that if he just starts with a few minutes of scales or exercises we will move on to Jurassic Park (his current favorite).
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The Clarinet BBoard
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