 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-10-19 12:35
I just wanna ask everyone;
If you had ONE piece of advice for an aspiring young clarinettist, what would it be? What would you say is the single most important thing to remember?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-19 13:16
Morrigan... only ONE piece of advice? There are many sage things that one can say to an aspiring clarinetist (eg: hard work, goals, mental attitude, etc...)
But the one piece of advice that I find myself constantly telling my students is that you must accept the fact that you have to sound "bad" sometimes in order to improve, and becoming the type of musician that you were <i>meant to be</i> is a continual process.
Have dreams, set realistic goals, work hard, have diligent preparation, but most of all keep your integrity. How much are you willing to risk to become a great musician?...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-19 14:38
"single most important thing to remember?"
Clarinetting is supposed to be *fun*. Practice countless hours, search hopelessly for that "perfect" reed, an in-tune clarinet(s), the "right" mouthpiece, play auditions, chair tests, recitals, juries, endure those out of tune idoits you must always sit next to and all of the inane conductors who want it played "their way", the out doors concert raindrops and gnats, and all of the mothers who say, "Play something for Grandma".
Not necessarily in the correct order, but whatthehey--Always remember to ENJOY!!!!!!!!!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-19 14:49
Oh...ok, I can't resist - one more thought:
Why, as clarinetists are we so "equipment obsessed"? Is is because there are so many interchangeable and replaceable parts? (mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, barrels, bells, cases, lubricants...etc)
Yes, I too, find equipment fascinating. What clarinetist doesn't have a drawer full of goodies, collected over many years?
But, do not let the equipment rule or consume your life. Selecting equipment is really about making compromises - <b>none of it is perfect</b>.
"Quality" doesn't necessarily translate to "expensive".
Spend most of your time in the learning and playing of music, less time in the chase for better tools.
Do that, and you will sleep much better at night...GBK
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-10-19 15:03
Practice scales and arpeggios, etc. in all 12 keys everyday with a metronome.
Check back in 4 years.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-10-19 16:29
The one thing that may be the key to successful clarinet performance may very well be long tone practice, in front of a mirror in order to OBSERVE: 1. the achievement of maximum reed-area air-stream exposure allowable by your dental anatomy, 2. the muscles of facial expression as they develop around a firm chin, rather than pressuring the reed by excessive jaw involvement and 3. proper hand and thumb position. Then, slowly and carefully do the scales in all the keys.
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-10-19 16:31
I neglected to caution that one should avoid anchor-tonguing AT ALL TIMES.
Sincerely, E.T.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-10-19 21:22
Don't give up. You may regret it later in life.
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Author: David
Date: 2002-10-19 22:27
Aim for a beautiful sound.
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Author: Arthur
Date: 2002-10-20 01:28
Practice in the bathroom and listen for overtones. That way you know you are getting a good sound.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-10-20 03:47
"Keep the tip of the reed away from your sweater." Actual first day advice from my public school clarinet teacher in 1961.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-10-20 07:51
Dont forget to fasten your case shut before you pick it up from the top of the piano.
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Author: Andy
Date: 2002-10-20 11:02
HAT,
Don't you mean all 24 keys?
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Author: Meighan Stoops
Date: 2002-10-20 14:17
Don't think that your talent alone can carry you through a career. Work your butt off and take initiative. I'd say this to any aspiring musician, not specifically a clarinetist.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-10-20 14:28
Meighan Stoops wrote:
>
> I'd say
> this to any aspiring musician, not specifically a
> clarinetist.
I'd say that to any aspiring <b>anything</b>! ;^)
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-10-20 14:45
Andy,
Thanks for the correction. Let's just say ALL major, minor, wholetone, chromatic and octotonic! You'll find them all in Hite's Foundation Studies version of Baermann III. Stark Arpeggio studies also very good. Hamelin very good.
Let's say an hour a day of these. You'll be impressed after six months if you do them with a metronome at a moderate tempo.
And as Stoops says, work your butt off. An hour of practice at 16 is worth 10 when you're 26.
Moses speaks from the kind of experience few will ever know.
Another imporatant piece of advice, consider the source of all advice and information you receive. . .
-HATTNER
Don't get me started on long tones again. See archives.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-10-20 16:03
Never conform to another person's style completely; it could get boring. Have at least one thing that makes you the player that you are. Then you always have room to improve.
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-10-20 16:31
Dear Bulletin Board:
Since my post on this topic is the only one advocating long-tone practice, I feel that I must point out that if one reads my post carefully, one will see that my recommendation for long tone practice is essentially to help build an embouchure that will allow for flexibility be it intervalic or diatonic. My post also mentions proper hand and thumb position: observations made while playing in front of a mirror. There is also a reference to the avoidance of anchor tonguing. These suggestions were given as an response to a serious question. I've read the "archives" noting some of their anecdotal references. I can only state that spinning ones wheels on literature, scales, intervals and mimicry with faulty embouchure, hand position and tonguing will lead one to many more extra hours of correcting poor habits. Why not get it right in the first place?
Cordially,
E. Thomas
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-21 03:58
One piece of advice - never be rude to your mother
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-10-21 13:57
Forget the clarinet and play piano instead. Or, better yet, forget music and take up computer programming.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2002-10-21 15:14
E. Thomas wrote: "There is also a reference to the avoidance of anchor tonguing. These suggestions were given as a response to a serious question. I've read the "archives" noting some of their anecdotal references. I can only state that spinning ones wheels on literature, scales, intervals and mimicry with faulty embouchure, hand position and tonguing will lead one to many more extra hours of correcting poor habits. Why not get it right in the first place?"
--The reference to anchor tonguing was vague at best. "Excessive jaw involvement" doesn't necessarily indicate a severe problem. And, if you mean that tip tonguing is the preferred and/or only proper method that is debatable...both have their advantages. There are many amazingly speedy/accurate tonguers out there who aren't tip tonguers. Also, I don't beleive there is any ONE correct embouchure set or hand position, system of studying repertoire or rudimentary approach for learning scales. And, in the case of self-taught musicians, there are many instances where a so-called bad habit actually develops an "additional skill". I've worked with dozens of clarinetists that mastered the mechanics/fundamentals of the horn "supposedly" learning the wrong way or by imparting cookbook methods. Formal training isn't the end of the world or only road to ultimate success. Self-taught musicians can and DO achieve the same results, most often better because "by necessity" they must routinely draw more on their natural talent and instincts.
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 2002-10-21 17:30
David Spiegelthal wrote:
>
> Or, better
> yet, forget music and take up computer programming.
And become unemployed with bigger bills than most musicians ever dreamed of ...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-21 17:46
With all the very clever and witty answers, I'm starting to regret that I answered the original question so seriously.
Time to put the sarcastic comedy hat back on...GBK
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Author: Meri
Date: 2002-10-21 19:55
ONE piece of advice? For me, it would be two:
Always play with good rhythm.
Always play with good sound.
Meri
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