 The Ethnic Clarinet
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Author: masel
Date: 2007-02-17 08:12
Hi, I'm thinking of learning to play the clarinet. I am also playing the oud so I know about the maqam system, I just want to know how demanding it is to learn, for someone who already knows musical theory and has a good ear.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2007-02-18 00:33
There are people who play arabic tuning on clarinet, but I sure don't know how they do it. All the instruments I know of use western chromatic tuning. You will have to find someone who uses maqam on clarinet and have them teach you fingerings.
Every instrument has a "startup cost", to get a stable and pleasant sound, to develop technique, and most importantly to get all your internal "wiring" in order so that you can make music. On some instruments, such as flute, it is initially realtively easy to make a sound, but then to sustain that sound and make it focused and controlled takes a lot. On clarinet, I think it is harder to get that initial sound and make it sing. The worst two things about clarinet are 1) it overblows in 12ths instead of octaves, and 2) intonation relies on the skill of the player much more than for other wind instruments.
The biggest issue is whether you play another wind instrument already: flute, sax, oboe, bassoon, recorder, or even ney. This will give you some kind of start on clarinet. The entire approach to phrasing on a wind instrument will be new and perhaps confusing if your only prior musical experience has been on oud.
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Author: ginny
Date: 2007-02-18 15:43
With a good background you should be able to find the notes easily enough and if you are a natural doubler it will come quickly at first. It is much simpler than violin to begin, but more difficult than piano at the start.
However nearly any instrument is difficult to master.
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Author: masel
Date: 2007-02-18 16:43
Thank you. What is overblow at the 12th mean? I believe you can play quarter notes on the albert system, which is what I'd use. I only have background in string instruments but I have a good ear and am dedicated.
Thanks again
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Author: ginny
Date: 2007-02-18 18:00
Overblown refers to the way wind instruments get higher notes using the same finger patterns as lower notes.
Many winds have an octave for the "overblown" note, which makes finding the higher notes easier. The clarinet, because of it's accoustical properties, plays an octave plus a fifth for it's higher note with the same fingering. This makes it slightly more difficult than some winds.
How long have you played Oud, what sort of music?
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Author: masel
Date: 2007-02-19 07:55
I've been playing guitar for 9 years and oud for only six months, but I'm not as bad as it sounds. I play arabic music mostly but some turkish too etc
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The Clarinet Pages
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