 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Eb
Date: 2002-01-14 02:12
Hey everyone..
my daughter is getting bored with the clarinet, she's a sophomore in high school. I was wondering which instrument would be easier for her. I know Sax might be the easiest, but she says she doesn't like that, so any suggestions? Thanks you guys!
~Eb
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2002-01-14 02:23
Oboe or flute would be nice.
However, perhaps she is bored because the school music program does not challenge here enough. As a sophomore, she is a long way from having fully explored the clarinet. If she doesn't have a private instructor, now is the time to get one that will challenge her. If she already has one, perhaps a talk with the instructor or a switch to a new instructor is in order.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-01-14 02:51
I found that by starting oboe I appriciated clarinet far more. Though I still play oboe, the difference in the instrument gave me a challenge but also proved to me that I really do love clarinet but just wasn't challenged enough. It didn't hurt me to try a new instrument (lots of odd solos) and I ma now a far better clarinet for it. I also recently switched to a new instructer, and the difference was amazing. I've advanced more in the past three months than I did in the two years before that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-01-14 10:07
Ask HER what she would be more interested in.
BTW my nephew wanted to give up cello. His father said, "That's fine as long as you find a replacement activity of the sort that you can continue with for your whole life."
Well there's music, bowls, gardening.... and not much more. Computers weren't part of children's lives then. He continued with cello.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kate
Date: 2002-01-14 12:49
Sorry you're gonna think I'm completely thick but ummmm, what age is sophomore??? Really sorry, silly question!! Umm, I think she should go for oboe cos it's a lovely instrument, but it's up to her, if she really wants to learn someting new then she can learn any instrument!!!!!! Clarinet's fab she shouldn't be bored with it!!!!
See ya and good luck :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-01-14 18:01
Eb -
What your caughter says to you is a call for help. It may not even be about music, but rather about someone in the band who's being nasty to her. As Gordon says, ask her what she wants, and encourage her to think out loud about it.
If it's actually boredom, where is it coming from? Is clarinet too easy? Is the music too easy? Is it lack of variety?
If the boredom comes from lack of challenge, there are lots of doors to open. For example, learn to transpose. Every advanced clarinetist needs to learn to do this. A private teacher will be a big help.
If the boredom comes from lack of good music, she could start a woodwind quintet with the best players in the band, or get with a pianist and do some solo music, or play in church, or play duets with you.
Other instruments have interest and excitement built into them. When I was in high school, I learned to play every size of clarinet, from Eb screech down to BBb contra rumble. Sax is an easy transition. A decent clarinetist can play a sax immediately and be comfortable with the fingering in a few weeks.
I also play recorder seriously. This let me play in small groups and exposed me to all the great music written before the clarinet was invented. If your daughter starts recorder, I suggest an alto rather than a soprano (which is the same pitch as the piccolo and tires your ears quickly). There are good plastic alto recorders available from, say, Yamaha for under $50.
Another possibility is to sing. Using the instrument built into your body teaches you a tremendous amount about clarinet. Also, you have a big advantage over most singers since even an intermediate clarinetist can read music faster than nearly any singer, and playing "air clarinet" (fingering along as you sing) makes the intervals easy. There's so much great music for solo voice and choir that you never run out.
Music is too good to drop out.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-01-14 23:02
Sophomore is 10th, same as me.
My avenue of frustration was to attempt learn how to play ALL the clarinets, from Eb to Contrabass.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-01-15 00:21
I play flute, clarinet, alto-sax, soprano-sax, trumpet, and cornet.
By experience, I found that at least 6 months to two years is necessary depending on one's age and devoted playing time to know the real tonality and how to express any instrument.
Multiple tone instruments, guitar, violin, or piano, may be interesting to her.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2002-01-15 04:10
To play the oboe, she would have to take private lessons. It is too difficult without proper instruction. Actually, that is somewhat true of other instruments. The saxophone is easy to get a sound from but it is a serious and difficult instrument to play so that it is musical in any venue. The flute also needs proper instructions on playing techniques. Perhaps the right clarinet instructor can inspire her. Good Luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-01-15 17:40
You begged for input...right? I'm inclined to agree with the person who said maybe your daughter is trying to communicate with you...period.(At first I thought Eb meant she was bored with the Eflat clarinet...duh) My opinion is that you should attempt to find out what the real problem is and that you should do all you can to keep her from "dropping out". If I say I'm bored with something what does it really mean. I think mostly it means that I need encouragement.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jessica
Date: 2002-01-16 02:30
I'm 16 and as of last year I started getting bored with the clarinet, more than likely b/c I'd been playing for 7 years. To explore a new area of music and instead of quitting clarinet(I love the instrument!) I chose to join a jazz band and play the tenor saxophone. It was and is a great experience and as far as easy to learn and play, I believe it is both, not to mention a rewarding experience. Is this an option? Because I believe it is a good one if available. -- Jess
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Leanne
Date: 2002-01-16 16:50
I was starting to get bored with the clarinet, but instead of switching instruments, I decided to try repairing instruments and composing.
I understand music better now, and it's a lot cheaper then running out and renting another instrument.
Just give it a chance.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Eb
Date: 2002-01-16 20:26
Umm... we have talked about it, and we have switched teachers already.... We've had 3 teachs in the past 9 years. We've done everything, and we've talked.. you ppl act like my gal is the strangest one.. you just don't understand teens.
~eb~
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ashley
Date: 2002-01-18 01:11
I don't think that your daughter getting bored with the clarinet is a muffled "cry for help" as others think. I first learned to play the clarinet in the 6th grade. I started getting "bored" with the clarinet in the 9th grade (really it was because I wasn't being challenged). My aunt gave me her flute ( only because she didn't want it anymore) and I taught myself to play it. If I was having any trouble, I would ask the other flute players in my high school band to help me out. Once I taught myself how to play the flute, I never wanted to touch the clarinet again. I even considered switching instruments within the band. The thing that stopped me was that the clarinet section leader (usually the best player within an instrument who helps the other weaker members with music) left and I was chosen as the new section leader. This presented a new challenge for me so I stuck with the clarinet. I still enjoy and do play the flute. This even prompted me to learn to play the Alto Sax, which I now play for the Jazz Band at my high school. I consider it a blessing that I got "bored" with the clarinet because if i hadn't, I would have never learned to play the flute and the alto sax. But I always went back to the clarinet because I would play the flure and the sax and get discouraged because I sucked. It was a real confidence booster when I'd go back to the clarinet because I was great on the clarinet. Well i'm not sure of my point but i'd let her explore other instruments and trust her to come back to the clarinet. And it isn't the end of the world if she doesn't come back to the clarinet. Other instruments are important too. ( yeah right!)
Ashley
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Leanne
Date: 2002-01-22 03:52
I'm 17, I think I understand this.
It's not strange. I think it's normal to want to explore at any age. Sometimes, you just don't realize all of your options until it's too late.
Plus, IMHO, taking apart instruments is fun! As long as you don't break, bend or lose anything (my $60 lesson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
