 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2001-08-23 03:37
Hello to all,
For those of you that went to the Clarinet Fest, I hope you all had a great time. I have a problem and hope someone can help me. My main instrument is the flute and I've only played the clarinet for a year. I just started helping out a local jr high and high school. The high school clarinet players are great. Its the jr high clarinet players I'm worried about. The 7th and 8th graders did not have the same clarinet instructor as the high school kids did when they were in jr high. They all sound like beginners. Yes I know it takes a lot of practice to sound good and it won't happen overnight. But they all sound the same. This instructor has left to another school and I would really like to help these kids. Is there anyway I can improve their tone? What should I look for when it comes to embochure? What type of exercises should I use? I hope I'm making myself clear. Thanks.
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-08-23 04:18
Melanie,
I suggest you look at Tom Ridenour's book entitled "The Educators Guide To The Clarinet". In the pages of this book, you will find invaluable information on how to help these, and other students, to produce good tone, articulation, and general musicality. Mr. Ridenour approaches the subject in a "building block" fashion, building on each stage of the learning. He give examples of what the student (s) should "feel" as you teach them each stage of learning to play the clarinet. The book covers the full range from first notes to reed adjustments and finer points. Mr. Ridenour wrote the book in excellent form that can be followed easily.
The book is available either from Mr. Ridenour, whom you can reach through Brook Mays music, or from Gary VanCott of VanCott Information Services. Gary is a sponsor of Sneezy, and an all around good guy to know for all books clarinet. There is a link to Gary's website on the sponsors page.
Now that I'm done with my book report for the week, I'll wish you the best in helping your students. They're fortunate to have an instructor like you looking out for them.
Kevin
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Author: Jerry McD.
Date: 2001-08-23 13:22
Melanie,
Anytime someone is willing to teach young players we (the clarinet playing community) should be grateful, so I echo Kevin's sentiment about the kids being fortunate...thank you. I think the number one problem I see in young/inexperienced players is a lack of air support followed by not having a concept of what is a good sound and how to produce it. A good airstream is the building block for just about every function in playing the clarinet: tone, articulation, pitch etc. Kids have to be taught how to BLOW and SUPPORT. The next thing that should be done is demonstrate, demonstrate, demonstrate. If the kids hear a beatiful clarinet sound, they will will have a better understanding of what is being asked of them. It amazes me to hear stories of teachers who don't play for their students. Kids are very intuitive, they will pick up things (good and bad) without the teacher even saying anything. The other important aspect of beginning playing is the embouchure. There are many ways to teach it and I'm sure there will be many posts on this thread. I prefer using the concept of a firm rubberband around the mouthpiece....point the corners of your mouth inwards and form an O (almost like you're going to say ooooo part of moo). I think this approach helps reduce biting and creates an oral cavity that won't pinch down the air stream. There is much more that can be said, but I think if you start with teaching them how to create a good airstream and give them the concept of what is a good clarinet sound, I think you will see some remarkable improvement.
Good luck!
Jerry McD.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-08-23 15:06
Gee, I wish I had a clarinet coach when I was in Junior High! If I did, I would've learned more about better mouthpieces & ligatures, and how to file down my reeds when they begin to warp. I might have even learned how to oil my keys and put my instrument together to keep it in alignment. Sure, it's the basics, but I didn't know this stuff until high school.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-08-23 16:29
Hi Melanie,
This is a very long shot but, if they all had the same instructor and they all sound the same and it isn't good, you might want to check their equipment, particularly mouthpieces and reeds. There was a horror story on the Klarinet list awhile back about a band director/teacher (the clarinet was not his primary instrument) who insisted that all his beginning clarinetists play a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece. While this might be a perfectly good mouthpiece for a more experienced player, it is too open and hard to blow for a beginner. Reeds that are too hard or soft could also contribute to the problem.
As I said, this is a long-shot but it's very easy to check.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-08-24 01:46
I've found kids understand the concept of embouchure by thinking of blowing into a milkshake. And encourage them to listen to recordings, perhaps by lending yours, or someone else who does. I taught a group clarinet lesson to a bunch of 10-12 year olds at the elementary school I worked at during most of the past year, which I did some intensive work (by correcting the posture of their head and neck, embouchure, air, and even the position of the music stand); the difference before and after was quite amazing, and for most of them, the lesson held for the rest of the year. I also played for them twice, once at the group lesson, and once as a farewell performance. In one case I had to lift the bells out from between the knees three or four times, but eventually he got the point.
So that gives you things to watch for. Most of them apply to teaching any wind instrument.
Meri
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