 The Fingering Forum
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Author: jerry
Date: 2000-08-11 00:27
Wanting to learn the clarinet (@ age 60+) with no music background whatsoever. What type of clarinet should I consider if I want to play jazz?
Thanks ~ jerry
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2000-08-11 07:17
The standard clarinet is known as a Boehm system clarinet. All new clarinets made outside Germany use this system and almost alll second-hand clarinets. Up to about 30 years ago, a different system called Albert was used in Jazz circles and you can still get these clarinets second-hand in America, but you are better off sticking to the standard Boehm. Just about any clarinet should do, if it has been well looked after.
Clarinets come in wood and plastic. Plastic ones are almost always beginners models, so you can learn on them, but you will outgrow them in a couple of years. Wood ones range from very poor right up to professional standard - the more you pay, the more you'll get. Metal clarinets are no longer made and should be avoided. One final note on construction material - you can't really play wood out of doors.
Where you get to choose between jazz and classical is in the purchase of a mouthpiece. Whatever clarinet you get, whether new or used, the mouthpiece will not be good, so after 6 months or a year of learning, you will probably replace it with a good one costing about $60 - $100. Some of these mouthpieces are considered more suitable for jazz. The best place you could find out about this is on one of the clarinet discussion groups:
www.selmer.com/clarinet/discus
www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-08-11 20:42
Jerry, Like you, I started playing an instrument as an adult with no musical experience. One thing I learned is that better quality, sometimes means expensive, instruments are easier to play than the inexpensive beginner/student models. So, buy a good one if you can afford it. If it is a good one, I believe your chances of success are excellent, and if not there is resale value. Although I don't play the clarinet, I think it is a wonderful instrument, and I sometimes which I'd chosen it, or had the time for it.
Good luck,
Bill
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Author: Ashley
Date: 2000-08-16 21:11
If you have no musical talent what so ever it would be a good idea to not try at all and save the people some money a buying ear plugs!
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-08-16 22:41
The critical word was "background". This is not synonomous with "talent".
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Author: Sar
Date: 2000-10-07 17:52
Jerry,
I incourage everyone to try music. If you or others think you don't have any "talent" icnor then!!! I believe that everyone has tanent that just needs to be uncoverd so just give it a try.
You might also look into the colleges around to see if they have a comunity band program. That will help you get started and then you can go to jazz.
I play both classical clarinet and jazz clarinet at the collage I go to. I believe that it is possible for anyone to do it. Don't loose hope and have fun.
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Author: Bandturtle4ever
Date: 2003-02-17 19:46
I think it's good that you are deciding to play a musical instrument. But your diadvantage is that you have no musical background and that you are an adult(which adults have a harder time learnering how to play instruments the older they get). But none of this will be a problem if you set your heart to it, you have time, you are determined, and it does look like you are planning on joining a jazz band. Which if you have/do all that you should be just fine! GOOD LUCK!
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