 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Jazz
Date: 2002-12-13 10:30
Hi,
As you can probably guess, with a name like Jazz it is almost a birth right that i should know how to play an instrument... but somehow the years slipped by and I kept putting it off.
But here i am now, at 25 determined to learn the Clarinet. I'm guessing that this is a great intrument to learn not only because of its range and music quality.. but because it puts up in good stead for natural progression to other intruments like the sax.
I am basically wondering how would you recommend someone get started? Is it very hard to learn? How long does it take before one becomes half decent?? And well how many lessons etc would you recommend.
Any information you could give will be extremely welcome.
Cheers
Jazz
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetgiggirl
Date: 2002-12-13 10:59
The clarinet is a fabulous, versatile instrument that will give you hours of pleasure (and the occassional moments of extreme frustration too!).
Everyone learns at different speeds, some people seem to pick it up really quickly, others (like me) find it a lot harder. I think if you are already listening to a lot of jazz you will find it easier than if this form of music is new to you.
As for lessons, these are essential IMHO. Some people have one a fortnight, others weekly. It depends on your financies and how much time you have to practice between lessons. Personally, I have a great teacher and I adore the lessons - I would have them every day if I could afford it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Frank
Date: 2002-12-13 13:58
This is probably sacreligious to say on this sight, but starting out as an adult beginner is tough enough without picking an instrument as difficult to play as the clarinet..... If your ultimate goal is to play sax and jazz, your time might well be better spent starting right out with a sax. To play any instrument well is difficult, but I think most reed players would agree that sax is easier to start out on...looser embouchure..easier fingerings. However, if clarinet is your goal...get a good teacher and have at it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-12-13 14:40
also some jazz bands won't take clarinetiest unless they play the sax. I still perfer the clarinet over the sax.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rob
Date: 2002-12-13 14:50
I learned sax after having played the clarinet for quite a while and found the transition very easy. Some people I have talked to said it is easier to go from clarinet to sax than from sax to clarinet. Remember, also, that the clarinet is lighter than the sax.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CGG
Date: 2002-12-13 18:20
I don't know about elsewhere, but in the UK a beginners clarinet is much less expensive than an equivalent saxophone.
Oh and 25 is NOT old!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Peacham
Date: 2002-12-13 19:05
Jazz, I started in April last year, aged 43, so I'll try to answer your question "How long does it take before one becomes half decent?? "
I'm afraid the answer is, "It depends." I suspect one of the biggest factors will be what musical experience you have. You say you've never learnt an instrument, but have you done any singing? Can you read music fluently? (For me, that's the easiest part.) Can you hear whether you are accurately in tune? (For me, that's the hardest part.)
My advice would be:
- Get a decent student instrument. There's loads of advice on that subject on this site.
- Get a teacher.
- Make sure you practise an hour a day, whether you feel like it or not. If you're out partying four nights a week, forget about learning an instrument.
- Play music with other people, right from the beginning. If your teacher can't or won't play the piano with you, find someone who will. Even playing hymn tunes with a two-fingered pianist will teach you to play in time and in tune.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2002-12-13 20:29
In my meager experience, Jazz, over quite a few more than twenty-five years, it takes about as long to learn to play a musical instrument reasonably well as it takes to learn a foreign language reasonably well. The process is about the same too. Start with basics and proceed until you're pretty good at it. Whether by ear training or formal 'note reading' (preferably both), some get it right away while others take a little longer. My *guesstimate* would be around three to four years of steady, focused practice. No matter your age, it takes courage and a fair amount of dedication to get started. Sounds like you have both
Any musical instrument has its challenges and frustrations. However, I've found few pursuits in life more rewarding than the accomplishments you gain through making music, whatever 'style', or instrument, you choose.
[An additional thought: In (not only) my estimation, music *is* a language].
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-12-13 21:34
Jazz, I have a personal theory about the process of learning to play a musical instrument - 500 hours. Over and above the very important matter of learning about music as such, (i.e. knowing how to read music, developing musicality, giving due attention to issues of interpretation - of course all these are really important), IMHO the major part about learning to play the clarinet (and I suspect other instruments too) comes down to physical memory and physical training - i.e. making your fingers, your mouth go through endless paces, paying your dues, with scales, exercises, ensemble playing etc. I believe (completely arbitrarily of course), that there is, somehow a critical number of hours that a person must spend, to get to the point where the physical familiarity is such that you are "comfortable" (not synonymous of course with being "good"). Like learning jump shots in basketball, or learning to type, endless repetition is part of the process.
Based on my own personal experience, I think this is, for an adult beginner, somewhere in the neighbourhood of 500 hours of playing time, where the sessions are daily or almost. This means, with between one and two years of work, if you practice consistently, you will get to a modestly competent level.
All practice sessions are of course not created equal and more benefit is derived unquestionably if you devote unwavering attention, do everything perfectly etc. I do not agree however that a poor practice session is wasted time - it taked a bad session to make you appreciate the good ones - and, as with raising children, quality is great, but quantity is important too.
I wonder if other clarinetists out there have had a similar experience of if anyone is aware of any studies done on the time (the # of hours of practice) adults require to accumulate the physical memory necessary to be able to master an instrument? Should make an interesting research project for someone..
Whether it is 100, 500 or 1000, these will be hours which will pay you rich dividends! Enjoy!
tetiana
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-14 00:01
I got started playing clarinet because I wanted to play jazz (and someone gave me a clarinet for free)! I've been playing for about a year and a half (and I'm older than most players with that amount of experience), and from when I first picked up the horn to this very day, I like to try to figure out the melodies to jazz tunes on it just for fun. I also listen to a lot of jazz, as well as buy jazz charts and get some friends together and play. I also do legit stuff, and some of it is actually rather enjoyable. A warning, however: if you're set on playing sax (and only sax), you might want to start out on it as has been previously recommended. I'm currently *trying* to learn to double, and it's awfully hard to remember to loosen up enough to get a decent tone. The voicing is much larger and more open and the embouchure is looser.
Anyway, whatever your decision is, have fun with it!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: leonard a
Date: 2002-12-15 02:05
This is so timely for me because I just purchased a student clarinet on ebay and am starting it after playing the sax for seven months. I had played the sax in high school about 40 years ago but not since. I want to play clarinet just to round myself out as a reed player and be more versatile. Sounds like we both have a long (but hopefully enjoyable road ahead of us. The sax is probably easier to play, if for no other reason that you don't have to cover holes like you do on the clarinet. But it's certainly worth giving it a try, and if it's not right for you then you can always switch to the sax. They each have their virtues. Good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2002-12-15 12:40
Make sure that eBay clarinet is in good working order. Have an experience player try it out or have a good repair tech go over it. Remember it is used and may need some work.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
