 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ~ jerry
Date: 2002-11-30 21:29
I have a grandaughter nine years old who is taking piano lessons. She wants to play clarinet. Her mother (my littl girl who played flute) wants her to wait another year.
When they were here Thanksgiving day I reeded up my Buffet with a 3.5 synthetic reed (because it was available and convenient). I gave her a couple if breathing instructions, embouchure instructions, and while I steadied the instrument (with her thumb on the thumb rest), she blew, and out came a non screaching open "G" -- why could I not do it that easily?.
I was very surprised that she even got a sound the first time. We then did a few other fingerings, and more sound. She's just a little tyke and I was afraid her fingers might not reach the pedals (if you know what I mean).
Another year of piano (she has less than a year a present) would not hurt, but I was just wondering at what age others began clarinet -- and I don't mean us late arrivals, I'm talking YOUNG.
Maybe it won't be long before she and I will be playing "Rhythm Rap" together.
~ jerry
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-11-30 21:44
Her hands and fingers need to be big enough to reach all the keys while maintaining a proper hand position. Otherwise she may pick up hand position habits that will be hard to break later. Many nine year olds are simply too small physically. If she isn't too small physically, it would be ok. However don't cross her mama even if mama is your daughter. Even kids only have so much time and it might not be wise to jeapordize time for the piano.
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Author: Jean
Date: 2002-11-30 22:27
Because I am a musician and my son seems interested in watching me play and trys to play my clarinet people are always asking me if I plan to start him on some sort of instrument soon. He isn't quite 4.....the answer is an emphatic "NO". I was 10 when I started playing and have no regrets that I didn't begin any earlier. Kids need to be kids. I have met so many students who started playing an instrument before they started school and had to practice while their pals were outside playing. As college freshmen they have already been playing for nearly fourteen years and are burned out.
The difference between nine and ten isn't that much. But if the school has a program that starts them as 10 years olds I think it would be best for you to play for her and keep her interest up rather than start her before her peers.
Just my humble opinion,
Jean
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-12-01 01:41
I would say that when a child can come up with 50 dollars of their own money, that shows commitment.
A Vito or other hard plastic clarinet in good repair is the right choice for a beginner - they WILL drop the instrument eventually.
Plastic instruments are designed to be durable and play reasonably well without much attention from the owner.
I would also recommend the synthetic reed as a good choice for beginners, it reduces the hassles caused by natural cane.
And don't get between Mom and her kid, or your doink will fall off.
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Author: Lori
Date: 2002-12-01 03:13
I was eight when I started. Now I'm 30 and I'm playing all the time. I do remember having a lot of trouble getting the notes over the break out when I was a tyke. Could be because my fingers were too small, or because the clarinet was in a state of disrepair, or just something else I was doing wrong that eventually corrected itself.
I say, if she wants to play and seems to enjoy it, there's no reason to wait another year.
Good luck!
--Lori
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-12-01 03:59
Finger size is important, as is hand/arm strength. My youngest student (she just turned 9) began last Jan. or so. She cannot reach all the keys, but since she isn't at the point where she has to make an ultimate decision about the clarinet, I'm not too worried about it being a permanent problem. Ultimately, it's an enjoyable hobby for her right now. She may not be the next Marcellus. Of course, she may be. Only time will tell.
I keep a verrrrrry close watch on her finger position and her stamina level in her right hand. I also tell her parents she shouldn't practice more than 20 minutes a day. We haven't played a clarion note (intentionally) yet, although in the next couple of months we may make it up there. I find interesting music to keep her engaged in the chalumeau register, and don't mind taking extra time to rearrange things for her abilities.
My point is that if she really really wants to start it won't hurt to start her. Of course, it won't hurt to have her wait either. Just be sure her teacher is careful and competent, and understands the potential problems that may be caused in starting a younger child.
Katrina
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-12-01 04:58
Around here, kids usually start (in school instrumental classes) at the beginning of 4th grade which usually comes out to between 9 and 10. I've always suspected that this is due more to wanting to have somewhat experienced players for middle and high school bands rather than to general readiness at the age. As mentioned above, kids grow at very diferent rates both mentally and physically, the "right" age for one will not be the same for another. When the child has the interest, physicality, and commitment, that's the time to start.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-12-01 11:56
If hand size is her only problem then there are several ways round this.
She could start on an Eb, I've known much younger children who have done this.
The Lyons C clarinet is easy for small hands.
Vito make a closed hole Bb clarinet which, while still requiring the same stretch, overcomes the problem of fingers not being big enough to cover the lower holes easily.
It's never too young to start.
jez
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2002-12-01 15:02
Think about the music masters of long ago. How many of them began at even 4 years of age, and others began at 20? When the child is interested in playing music you can't stop them. If they show a mild interest, you can encourage it but not push them too hard because they will get discouraged and back off.
A clarinet isn't the instrument for a younger one because of the reasons given above, but other instruments (a piano or violin, etc.) can be used to allow the child to express themselves musically. If they really want to play, you can't make them stop to get them to go to sleep at night! They shouldn't be held back. Then when they're physically able let them take on the clarinet.
This is from a Mom of four late teens/young adults with identical early music education - two have really taken on their own learning and two dropped out. I have to threaten to take the boys' guitars away from them when they won't stop practicing and it's midnight already, on a school night. So each one will tell you themselves if they want to, and what speed they're willing to go. But they'll also choose their own instruments, maybe not what you want them to choose.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-12-01 15:12
Jerry you may want to get her a recorder. She should be able to handle the size and then in a year or so she can make the change.
bob
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2002-12-01 16:41
I started I was 7.
20 years later I still play.
There is no need to worry about practice and such. If the kid has big enough fingers and wants to play then why not.
He/she does not need to practice 5h a day. Fooling around with a horn and playing a few notes everyday can be lot of fun.
You just have to make sure she gets good basics from the start. Bad habits die hard especially when you start so young.
-S
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2002-12-01 17:33
For clarinet? This sounds like a hand size/instr. size problem.
The Suzuki method, starts with tiny violins before age 5. There's some evidence that early learning is better, rather like language development. I am surprised they don't offer more winds, they've got piano, strings and guitar, maybe flute?
I started both of my kids very early, playing anyhow... around three, with eurythmics/eartraining before age three (I am not a fan of primary rote learning ala Suzuki.) I am not sure that which instrument matters however, perhaps if your goal is to create a virtuoso. My goal was to have kids who had close to first language ability in music, who could play freely for their own pleasure. They do.
However, eight or nine with the piano should engage her ear and teach her to read.
She may decide to play another instrument, but it should be what she loves. Perhaps you can get more oportunities to share clarinet with her.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-12-01 18:36
I started when I was 9 and had no problems playing at that age. I started on a plastic clarinet and would recommend any one of that age to use plastic.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-12-02 01:46
I began in 5th grade. As your granddaughter is learning piano now, it is a good thing to get her grounded in learning music. Other instruments will come easily once the basics are learned. I probably wouldn't push her to do too much too soon. She still needs time to be a kid. If the interest is still there in a year or two, then I say, go for it. Another year on the piano will give her more confidence there to build upon.
By the way, I love adding instruments myself, and even as an adult have to remember to set proirities and not overdo it.
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2002-12-02 03:23
Because the part of the instrument is in the mouth and is in contact with the teeth, I would wait at least until the permanent teeth were in.
Mark
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Author: ~ jerry
Date: 2002-12-02 23:21
I thank everyone for the input. It all sounds like good advice. I see Kandace only a few times a year, so I have very little influence over what she does or does not do.
It seems as though she has made a "decision" (one of here favorite words) to play the clarinet. I don't know where she got that from unless it was from hearing her mother speak of me. She has never seen me play(?) -- as if I played anyway.
I would like to see her -- and her older sister -- become more involved in music and I expressed that to my daughter (although dad wants them to be pro basketball players, and keeps the pressure on that). Little does he know that unless they are extremely talented they will not make it at 5'-5" (her mother's height - and no indication that their vitamins are making their legs longer.
More important, Kandace says she doesn't like playing basketball -- she muses a lot. So we'll see. Maybe I will get her a recorder for Xmas, or how about Mozart's piano concerto -- or maybe I'll stay out of it all together.
Thanks again.
~ jerry
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