 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2021-02-07 20:12
A bit of background. I've been learning clarinet for just over two years, and prior to the start of the pandemic in March 2020, had been taking weekly lessons and had just started in the Rubank Intermediate book. I was also playing, enthusiastically though not well, as 3rd clarinet in a community band as well as in a local New Horizons "beginner band."
Since the pandemic hit, I've been going it alone: no more lessons, and certainly no more band rehearsal. I've structured my own (mostly daily) practice, working through Rubank Intermediate and supplementing with things like Hite's Melodious and Progressive Studies and Michele Anderson's online Mastering High Notes class.
Well, I've finally finished Rubank Intermediate and started the Advanced vol. 1 book a few days ago, and Holy Cow! It is so much *easier* than the Intermediate book so far. Moreover, the units are chunked in what to my mind is a far more logical manner, with less emphasis from the start on the altissimo range. My first impression is that Advanced sets up a student for success in a way that Intermediate does not; a student can actually *master* these units rather than just moving from one lesson to the next when it's "good enough."
In hindsight, I wish I'd skipped Intermediate and started working in the Advanced book last March, though clearly all the slog through Intermediate is making the new book seem easier. I totally agree with what older threads on Rubank Advanced have noted about the book being like eating your vegetables. Still, it looks like an excellent book for consolidating skills. (Of course, fickle woman that I am, I'll continue to supplement with other things, such as Baermann 2nd Division.)
I am longing, though, for the day I can return to rehearsal and resume in-person lessons. In the meantime, I'll continue my solitary work so I can be a stronger band member once that day arrives.
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2021-02-07 20:50
I and many other very experienced clarinet teachers give virtual lessons. It is different from in-person lessons, but valuable to catch bad habits, and learning in new areas that in-person lessons don't explore. You can 'audition' teachers this way too, finding someone who you are comfortable with more quickly.
Give it a try!
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2021-02-07 23:25
I believe I went through the Rubank books (or at least one) at some point.
I like the Hite book- fun. There is a similar book by Robert Cavally for flute that I have-- good for high note practice of course and same type of stuff.
You are doing well to be playing the Hite after 2 years.
Your community band must be quite good if you play 3rd clarinet. I'm hoping to have a summer season with the band where I play. Let's hope we all can get back to that sort of thing.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
Post Edited (2021-04-05 08:22)
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Author: OneWatt
Date: 2021-02-08 02:11
@ BethGraham: Sounds like you've got all the dedication required to continue making impressive progress. Congrats on your perseverance through the Rubank series.
One satisfying experience you might enjoy would be going back to the earlier material (i.e., that you moved on from after just "getting by") to see how much easier it has become for you. That's a gratifying experience along the path in learning any new musical instrument.
Although I'm still a clarinet newbie, here are two suggestion for your consideration:
- David Hite also edited Baermann's Book #3 scale/arpeggio/intervals section calling it "Foundation Studies - Opus 63" (pub. by Southern Music) which is nicely engraved and easy on the eyes. Dry enough, but worth working out of regularly to improve comfort with fingering all 12 keys (24, or 36 including the minor keys).
- Kroepsch's "416 Progressive Daily Studies" (edited by Bellison in a 4-book series) is another outstanding way to build chops, but with a more musical feel. These engaging brief ditties are intended to be repeated ad libitum until you feel ready for a final measure ending. I enjoy them slowly to combine tone and finger practice. Arranged in clusters by key signature (major and associated minor), the books let you focus on one particular key at a time (the 1st book offers the easier keys, up to 3 sharps and 2 flats, so this is a good place to start).
Best wishes for your continued enjoyment.
- - - - - - - - - -
Israel = Ancient Hebrew for "Wrestles with God"
Klarinet = Ancient Greek for "Struggles with Reeds"
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2021-02-08 06:15
Yes, I have a couple of Kroepsh books as well (including the 416). Great stuff.
My HS private teacher told me the same thing about looking back on previous material. He said back then that at some point I would look back at something and view it differently.. ie. with more confidence. One example may be the Debussy Rhapsodie. Another the Messager Solo De Concours.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2021-02-10 18:35
Thanks for your advice, which I've considered previously. Problem (for me) is that I find the Zoom format just so danged awkward, especially with my mild anxiety issues. As well, the sound quality is pants, at least with my equipment.
For now, I don't think I'm harming myself by going it alone. I know that many students have found great value in virtual lessons, and I may come around to them, too, in time. Thanks again!
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2021-02-10 18:43
Well, note that I didn't say I'm playing the Hite *well*! I've also started dabbling in Rose -- again, not well! Yet.
My community band had, at last count, 13 clarinets, so I can blend in, contribute where I can, and learn from others. I sang for years in all manner of ensembles, which has helped a lot in all aspects of my playing. As well, I play recorder.
I cannot wait to get back to rehearsing with others! As a recovering alto singer, I thrive on playing the inner parts (have no interest in solo work.)
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2021-02-10 18:49
Hmm... I'd thought that Kroepsch would be beyond me at this stage, but maybe I'll take a gander after I've worked more in Rubank, Klose, et al. (Though I'm trying to be careful during lockdown not to introduce new bad habits into my playing, so perhaps Kroepsch should wait.)
Why yes, I am a book junkie! The best thing about hobbies is buying all the books to support them.
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Author: OneWatt
Date: 2021-02-10 19:49
@BethGraham:
As you likely know, the Kroepsch snippets range from fairly easy to fairly challenging. When taking them slowly (and expressively) they make for great tone/fingering exercises. Taking them a a brisker pace, other technical challenges then join the mix.
Notwithstanding your Zoom issues, if you aren't already doing so, try recording some of your practice efforts. Listening to the playback is often brutal - and humbling - but it's a great way to detect what may be "bad habits" early on. At least you'll likely know what you ought to be working on.
As a fellow book junkie, I appreciate what a great value the Kroepsch books are, pound for pound. They ought to be on the short list of a woodwind music book library.
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Author: eac
Date: 2021-02-11 23:41
Look for “Prep Steps before you Kroepsch” by Dr Kristen Denny-Chambers. Great introduction to the 416 of Kroespsch, lots of fun
(at least as much as one can have in technique)
Liz Leckey
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Author: kilo
Date: 2021-02-12 13:53
Quote:
The best thing about hobbies is buying all the books to support them.
Absolutely! I've bought quite a few different books of etudes over this past year. It's funny how some of them sound familiar and I realize that I practiced them 50 - 60 years ago when I played them in different books, sometimes in different keys. Lots of string music with no place to breathe! One thing I miss about those old volumes — from Europe, usually — is that some of them were oversized. I recently bought a reprint of a Jeanjean book that looked identical to the one I had played long ago — but has been shrunk down to the current standard music book size and is now too small read comfortably.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2021-02-12 21:22
I have always found that the Advanced books are laid out in a much, much more logical and helpful way than the Intermediate book is.
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The Clarinet Pages
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