The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-07-31 18:18
I have not ever touched a clarinet, nor seen an actual one. I was in Choral in highschool and then I'm in concert choir now, with a little bit of note readings. REALLY little bit of note readings.
So can anyone recommand a clarinet book for a beginner like me? Something that isn't so boring and something that gives you some fun for further practice. And something easy.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2002-07-31 18:50
Have you triend Accent on Achievement? that's a very good book with a lot of fun songs to play.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-07-31 19:03
i second that one - i use that with my 10 yr old neice.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-07-31 19:17
nahya^^ wrote: "...I have not ever touched a clarinet, nor seen an actual one..."
Rather than a book at this point, my suggestion is to take the first few $$ you plan to spend on your new endeavor and use that money on a few lessons with a reputable instructor.
Once the basics are in place, it will be a lot easier and quicker to make the progress. The book is really quite secondary at this point.
Any bad habits you acquire at the early stages of playing will have to be undone eventually. Best to start off on the correct path.
Have someone guide you through the early stages of learning - it can make the journey a lot more pleasant...GBK
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Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-07-31 19:17
[Accent on AChievement] is the title of the book?
ok i'll try to find it.
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Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-07-31 19:22
ooh... ok... but i don't think this is a time to have an instructor though. what should i do?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-07-31 19:31
Remember the old legal saying (roughly paraphrased):
"A man who represents himself has a fool for a client."
I feel the same holds true for those (outright beginners) who attempt to teach themselves...GBK
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-07-31 20:39
First things first, Nahya ^^:
Why have you decided to take up the clarinet?
In what area of the world do you live?
Are there (band instrument) music stores in your neighborhood?
Do any of your friends play instruments?
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-07-31 20:40
Teaching yourself is often a well trodden path but as far as I'm concerned, a book can not point out if you are developing bad habits like not sitting properly, or not holding the instrument properly. Even if it's just a lesson every other week, at least it keeps everything in check
Steve (UK)
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Author: MeowerPower
Date: 2002-07-31 20:41
Also, what do you plan on playing wise ? If for your own enjoyment, the self teach books can be just fine. If you wish to play in a group or turn pro, an instructor is time & money well spent.
Accent on Achievement is good and "Play clarinet today" level one is also good. They have a CD that you can listen to how it is supposed to sound and you can match yourself with it to gain some confidence at your own speed and ability.
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Author: catina
Date: 2002-07-31 21:50
Are you in college or still in high school? Is there somebody in band or orchestra where you go to school who would be willing to give you a couple of lessons in exchange for dinner or even a voice lesson from you (if you're comfortable with that)?
This might be a fair compromise between teaching yourself and paying for lessons with a professional teacher.
Catina
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Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-07-31 22:05
I'm still in high school and i'm not inclined to join the band. I just want to be able to play so that i could say that i play clarinet. I just decided to learn to play clarinet because it sounded nice on Concerto for Clarinet by Mozart. I wanted to play baritone sax tho. My dad said that it was too loud to practice at home
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Author: ~ jerry
Date: 2002-08-01 00:09
" Also, what do you plan on playing wise ? If for your own enjoyment, the self teach books can
be just fine."
As a beginner, I highly disagree!!
GET yourself a teacher and let the teacher guide you to the book(s) you should start with. It's like trying to teach yourself to play golf without a tutor ......... you are destined to pick up bad habits that are very dificult to avoid (and time consuming).
Besides, a tutor can teach you all the nuances associated with playing -- most of which you will never get from a book.
If it's toot-toot, squeek-squeek you want, pay good money for a nice horn and get some nice written music and enjoy ............. otherwise.............
gl
~ jerry
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-08-01 03:54
Oh, dear, do yourself a favor -- if the Mozart concerto is your inspiration, then get to that level the right way and find a teacher!
There's SO much more to playing musically than just pushing the right buttons!
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-08-01 04:37
You do really need to decide now what you wish to accomplish with playing the clarinet. If honking out simple tunes for your self is your goal, then go for the self taught method, and most of the books out there that include good fingering charts will work.
BUT...
If you aspire to play at the level needed to tackle the Mozart or anything else near that level, get a teacher now to avoid the bad habits that will occur with self teaching. Also, be prepared to put in a half hour practice minimum EVERY day, and to increase that as soon as you can physically handle it. Don't expect to be able to tackle the Mozart for several years (or more!)
My teacher (in 1961!) liked to tell us to remind our parents that this isn't like buying a record player (CD player today!) and not to expect very much in terms of music for a long time. Expect that the sounds you will first make (teacher or not) will more resemble those coming from a tormented cat, than the recordings you've heard.
Good luck!
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Author: andge
Date: 2002-08-01 04:53
I used the the books Standard of Excellence and Best in the Class.. not bad... Rubank is also good but it's without frills.. no pictures, color, etc.
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Author: Snoink
Date: 2002-08-01 05:43
Hmm, it seems like I was in your shoes yesterday, nahya^^. I thought I was only going to blow a couple notes too and then quit. Now I am absolutely hooked on clarinets (although I still need a lot more practice:). Proves how some of our best laid plans go astray (and sometimes for the better;) huh?
I agree with getting a teacher. The first notes I made sounded terrible and did not sound at all like that Mozart recording you liked. I got discouraged and almost quit until I got a teacher. Then she showed how good a clarinet can sound with a little practice, and boy, did she sound good.
Oh yeah nahya^^, we know that you're only planning to blow a couple notes and then quit. But there's something magical about a clarinet that grabs you and leads you into the wonderful world of clarinets.
Happy tootling!
Snoink
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