 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cristian Roman
Date: 2001-06-23 22:22
hello
My name is Cristian, I live in Mexico city I have been playing the clarinet for some time now. I started in the U.S in 7th grade and played until my freshman year. Then I moved back to Mexico, here i stopped playing for 2 years. And 5 months ago I started playing again. When I lived in the U.S everybody said I was talented when I moved here I took lessons with a private teacher and he said I had a lot of bad playing habits and no talent at all. Now that I started playing again I got a Selmer Omega clarinet and I 've been practicing about two hours each day and I've made some progress but not a lot. I think I have some talent but I seem to play better some days than others. I love music and am about to test to get into a music school here. I have some problems
1. A vandoren box of 3 1/2 with a selmer C85 only lasts me for about two weeks
2.A vandoren box of 4's with a Charles bay MO lasts me for about 3 weeks
3. I can't seem to get a right embouchure I used to play with the lip over the teeth but stopped because i squeaked a lot, now I play with the lip in front of the teeth and I don't squeak any more but the air comes out from the corners
4. Because of this I get a very fussy sound and I can't hit the high notes clean
5. I feel that I sound sharp
6. I feel I used to play much better when I lived in the U.S but I don't want to quit playing I love music and I would like to be the best. I think I have talent but I don't know what to do
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Author: Erika
Date: 2001-06-24 03:39
If you are practicing two hours a day and still not making the progress that you wish to make, my sugestion is that you find a new teacher. When I first started playing clarinet, I learned the embouchure incorrectly and I wasn't happy with my sound, plus I squeaked a lot. Then, I got a new teacher who tought me how to play with a correct embouchure. It made A LOT of difference in my playing. And if you have the interest and those great practicing habits, I would think that a teacher would be more than happy to teach you! Good luck in your musical experiences!
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2001-06-24 04:56
A teacher that says you have a lot of bad playing habits and does nothing to fix them does not sound like someone you should stay with. If you love music, by all means, continue!! Find a teacher that is honest AND encouraging. Your teacher should be able to help with embouchure problems. Personally I dont' think a little bit of an air leak is a big problem, but I can't see your embouchure. If you are practicing two hours a day, you are bound to improve, just be patient. If people have told you that you have talent, why let one person who disagrees stop you from doing something you love? There will always be someone who does not like your playing, no matter how great you are. Music is very subjective. As for your reeds, are you using every reed in the box? How slowly are you breaking them in? I have found that the slower I break them in, the longer they last. Play them only a few seconds the first day, and gradually add on little tiny bits of time over a period of a few weeks, and they might last you a little longer. Keep playing!!!!
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-06-24 04:58
I agree w/Erica. You have a great work ethic. A good teacher that spots problem areas will work with you to correct them _slowly_, usually one solution at a time, so as not to overwhelm the student. If you can contact a university or professional player, see if you can take a lesson, so they can evaluate you (& you can evaluate them).
Best,
mw
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-06-24 05:18
If you stopped playing for two years at an early age,you probably were a bit "rusty". I stopped playing the the soprano for just one summer (still played the contra), and I was already weak on the "little" clarinet. Also, is the facing on your mouthpiece cut for the harder reeds? I agree with the comment above. Even if you have some bad habits (I did too), the teacher should still be encouraging you.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-06-24 22:02
Cristian -- I agree with most everything that has been said. If you desire to play and think that you have the talent, go for it!! Do not let one individual get in the way of your dream. Work for it, and get a good teacher to help and evaluate you -- one who is interested in YOU and not the amount you are paying him. About your reeds -- be sure that your reeds and mouthpiece match. I, personally, do not believe that you have to play a "wooden plank" to get a good sound out of the instrument. Conrol is the secret, not the strength of reed. When you finish playing and you remove the reed, do you dry them off and place them in a reed guard? This will help to keep them in better shape and the tip from warping and breaking. Using several reeds over a period of time will also help, not just one reed for many days and then break in a new one. Reeds can last a reasonable length of time if you take care of them.
Good Luck!
Bob Curtis
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Author: Richard
Date: 2001-06-25 19:23
Just to say good luck with overcoming the problems you're talking about - I've currently got similar problems with teachers and embouchre etc. and kind of know how you feel. You can do it!
Richard
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