 The Fingering Forum
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Author: flutie
Date: 1999-10-30 02:33
I've been playing the flute for four years, and the alto sax for a couple of months. How hard do you think the clarinet would be to learn? I've heard many fingerings are the same. Any opinions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks
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Author: Aglauro
Date: 1999-10-30 13:24
In my own experience, the clarinet is the most difficult of the three (flute, sax and...).
The embouchure won't be too much of a problem, being used to the sax (even if it requires more lip control).
The fingering system, however, is much more complicate, since the clarinet, as you may know, does not overblow in octaves, like other woodwinds, but in twelfths. Therefore, the fingerings are like those of the flute or sax only in the middle octave.
E. g., take the fingering that would give you a middle G on the sax: that's the same on the clarinet; now, if you take off the speaker key, you will still get a (low) G on the sax, but a low C on the clarinet. Generally speaking, same notes at different pitches are never fingered the same on the clarinet.
With the sax and flute, when you reach the top of the 123|123 range the octave is complete and you are ready to start over again from the bottom overblowing. With the clarinet, you are still not done with your twelfth and so there must be keywork to manage with your left hand first finger and both little fingers to bridge the gap before you are ready to overblow, and that's the most difficult part of clarinet technique.
So, you will have some trouble at the beginning, especially with the little fingers, which will have four/five (depending on models) keys each to control. "Crossing the break" between the lower and middle register smoothly will require several weeks' (or months') practice. But in the end, you will be more than repaid by the outstanding technical capabilities of the instrument.
Good luck!
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Author: Patti
Date: 1999-10-31 00:23
The first reply to your question was excellent. Assuming you have no problems with fingering the sax, your fingers should easily cover the clarinet keys. You have to use the pads of your fingers to completely cover the keys - very similar technique used with an open holed flute. You will want to play on a medium soft reed or 2 1/2 rating. Soon you will be able to graduate to a medium hard or 3 rating reed. I am a private instructor and teach all the woodwind instruments. I started out on the flute, then oboe, followed by clarinet, sax, and bassoon. Each woodwind has its own distinct character, and I love playing all the different types of music written for woodwinds. Good luck!
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Author: Alison
Date: 2000-01-25 11:37
I personally play the clarinet myself, and before I did, I also played the sax and the flute, so I know where you are coming from. The clarinet does have many of the same fingerings as the sax. Try a brand of clarinet called a Selmer Singnature. This is the brand I own, and it works beautifully. The sound comes out smoothly and if you are a beginner or a pro, it doesn't matter. It sounds great, and I enjoy playing it, and hope you will, too. Try a few brands before you pick one. Good luck and happy playing!
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Author: jose
Date: 2000-03-01 22:49
to learn how to play the clarinet is easy i learn in two but before i play french horn.
the easy thing of the clarinet is that you don't have to play alot of notes in one hole lithe brass instrumen so if you want to play clarinet try.
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Author: John Kelly
Date: 2000-03-09 00:10
Well the clarinet is entirly different fingerings than diiferent insturments.
Any more Q's Email me
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