The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-05-05 19:02
Realizing that I really needed help on some of my key signatures, I dug out my old Klose' and went back to p. 123 ff. I then dredged up all the old memories of how I hated working those pages - Yes, I know . . . I'm just not as dedicated as some of you are.
I was wondering if there were any scale studies that went through major and minor scales and then rewarded you with some exercises or pieces to play in that key. That's why I hated it before - all work and no application. For me, it's the application that gives motivation for the work.
Any suggestions (other than just buckle down and do it?)
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-05-05 19:20
I use a combination between the Baermann Complete Method for Clarinet and the FW Schmidt Twenty-Four Technical Exercises-in All the Major and Minor Keys for Clarinet. I usually pick a major and it's relative minor everyweek and play through all of the Baermann exercises in that key, and then do the Schmidt exercise daily as well. But, I must admit that I start every practice session and rehearsal with the Klose scales, which aren't bad once you have them memorized. I didn't enjoy it so much when I first did it, but now that I have it under my fingers, it's quite fun to play along with other clarinetist (we all have to do it for our teacher) and we sometimes even build chords and do the scales in chords. Ok, ok I am a true band nerd personified, but oh well. Good luck.
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Author: rmk
Date: 2002-05-05 23:31
The Stark studies are also quite helpful. They are published by International Music.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-05-06 17:58
Fred -
The Lazarus and Langenus methods (part 3 of both, and maybe part 2 also) give you scales followed by etudes in each key.
However, your responsibility to yourself, if you want to play at a high level, is to work your way through the Baermann method, part 3, which consists entirely of scales and exercises. See my postings at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=16717&t=16708 and http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=24907&t=24731. It's part of becoming the athlete you need to be to play well.
The other side of this kind of practice is that you can't do it with the kind of concentration it needs for more than, say, 15 minutes. You do the medicinal stuff at the beginning of each practice session, giving it your best time and paying your dues. Then you reward yourself by playing the most beautiful music you know. If you need practice in the extreme keys, play the C major etudes up a half step in C#, or down a half step in B.
The great thing about having all the scales "in your fingers" is that your mind, ears and fingers recognize these patterns when you come across them. You recognize a pattern and start it going, so it plays itself while you look ahead to recognize the next pattern and think about the music rather than just the notes.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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