 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-10-02 19:36
So, with literally dozens of clarinets of nearly every size in my apartment, plus more than a dozen saxes, and three flutes, and an oboe, what does my 11-year-old daughter decide to play in beginning band this year?
[The subject line says it all] ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
As a clarinetist friend told me, it could be worse.......she could have chosen drums.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-10-02 19:51
Congrats, Dave, yes, it could have been diff., a harp !, tympani, Eng. Horn or another ?cheap? inst. Did she see the movie "The American President" , whose daughter, I recall, made funny noises on a tmb. Good show !, just be proud, only 3 of our 4 would play an inst. we could afford. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-10-02 20:04
Just don't let her get behind you, Dave.
Bob Draznik
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Author: michinoku
Date: 2007-10-02 20:06
If she hasn't yet seen any Charlie Brown, you should be safe. If she has, just don't buy her any mutes. Otherwise her rebellious years could be _really_ obnoxious.
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Author: Mike Johnson
Date: 2007-10-02 20:50
Wow, I wish one of my kids played trombone...I love that New Orleans jazz sound...
Mike Johnson
Napa, California
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2007-10-02 21:00
One of the only instruments harder to get into an orchestra on then the clarinet. Ouch!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-10-03 14:49
Oh yes, I get the picture: he's riding the trombone like a hobby horse. The picture with the clarinet is much more dangerous.
Bob Draznik
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-10-03 17:05
Maybe she wanted to avoid all the equipment frustrations that go with playing clarinet or oboe :-)
Regards,
Hans
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-10-03 17:21
Remember that the La Tromba cork grease can also be used for trombone slides...
--
Ben
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-10-03 18:51
My kids play trombone and sax. My wife sings and her nephew plays the piano so we can actually do Christmas carols and such, on the rare occasions that we're all in the same place at the same time.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-10-03 20:00
Ben, thanks for reminding me about the La Tromba cork grease --- for the rest of you folks not directly involved, La Tromba is the absolute most wonderful-smelling cork grease on the planet -- Swiss-made --- it smells so good that I can't bear to actually use it on an instrument, and every time I open the tin I just want to spread it on some toast and have it for breakfast, or something. Yum!
Back on topic (what was the topic, anyway?), I'll have to come up with some nice duets for trombone and contra-alto clarinet, so we can do some father-daughter musical bonding stuff.................
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2007-10-04 06:30
Really now, it's not so surprising at all! What girl of that age would *ever* do what her parent suggests? This is speaking from experience here, with 12 and 14 year old girl-monsters inhabiting my house, reminding me of every fault, flaw and foible. None of us are perfect, but those of us with teenagers aren't even close
And, as pointed out earlier, it could be much, much worse.
She might have wanted to play a piccolo. *shudder*
Have fun... and move that lamp. It might get knocked over by the slide.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2007-10-05 02:26
I say .... COOL!
Ok. I played trombone myself during the jr. high and high school years for marching and jazz band. At the time I never realized that sax was so easy to learn after clarinet. Still did clarinet or bass clarinet in concert band.
Maybe she's read all the threads of us talking endlessly about reeds and equipment and on and on and on....
It is a fun instrument. ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
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Author: marzi
Date: 2007-10-17 13:35
How about a TUBA???? Boy do I sympathise right now.
After a year of playing trumpet and doing well at it, MY 11 yr old son comes home Monday and informs since his band needs a tuba, he will play it. ACK, ! I thought I could get out of it by telling him I am NOT buying a tuba, but the school is SO generous in providing one not just at the school, but one for home too. I get to pick up the baritone today that he is starting on first. How nice. Here's hoping he goes back to trumpet, since that is what I am still paying rental on. Just wait till I see his teacher....! Can I keep the tuba downstairs in the basement? (Just kidding)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-10-17 14:35
Aw, but tuba is WAY cool! I always wanted to play tuba -- that said, I can sympathize with you, marzi, because it is one big beast! No way I could have one in my apartment.
BTW, I've found an old but workable trombone for myself as well the new Bach 'bone I'm renting for my daughter, so she and I are sort of teaching each other (in classic 'blind leading the blind' fashion), and it's fun! Trombone is incredibly simple in design and playing technique (fundamentally) compared to any woodwind instrument --- developing control of the embouchure is about 99% of the battle, and clearly will take years of heavy-duty practicing to master.
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2007-10-17 18:17
They will have no problem finding work in October. Our German band always needs trombones, baritones and tubas. Prosit!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-10-17 18:40
DS,
One of the most important things in a beginning instrument is what does the beginner envision as the sound they like the best. If we attempt to change their minds because we just happen to have some classic clarinets and saxes in the house, sometimes that does not work.
When I was a HS band director many moons ago (when Bundys walked the Earth) I never tried to change a child's mind unless there were some orthodontia issues other unique physical reasons to not play a specific instrument. Your daughter has an idea about what she wants; pick up a used King, Bundy, or similar trombone, make teh necessary repairs, get a new case, and she'll love it.
As I may have mentioned to you over dinner in the past, all woodwinds played brass for marching band when I was the director. We had a bunch of used trumpets, trombones, and baritones that we picked up on the cheap. The fascinating things was that students experienced no ill effects and by solo and ensemble time, nailed down their Superior ratings.
HRL
PS I just started two grand-daughters a few weeks ago on two used Bundy's I picked and re-padded. Tell me how many beginner's start with Selmer HS** MPs, Gigliotti ligatures, and Rico Royal reeds? They had the Hey Song down - with tonguing - in a week. Next week, crossing the break!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-10-17 19:32
My philosophy has always been to support my children in anything that they show a genuine interest and toil to improve. Imagine my horror as a structured scientist supporting a child in college pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance even with my persistant prodding to get a double major in something like accounting or pharmacy she remained straight on course. I guess that having a contented and happy professional dancer is reward enough but as a post script however this includes her now pursing an MBA at UCSF as her "logical" adjunct to a dance degree?
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-10-17 20:38
Don't worry, Dr. Hank, I made no attempt to sway my daughter towards any of the convenient woodwinds I have at home. In fact, when she said 'trombone' I did my research right away, and within a week had rented one and put it into her hands. I will support her (and her sisters) 100% on any instrument they choose to try -- such as I've already done with violin (which the same daughter played for a year, including some private lessons which I sprung for).
I fully agree with you and Dr. Omar that supporting the kids on any instrument (or non-musical interest they may have) is a vitally important part of my job as Dad, and I will continue to do that. But I would have to draw the line on tuba, because it just won't fit in my apartment!
On a related but somewhat off-topic note, I had this thought about forming a "doublers' band" -- a concert band in which every player is required to play a secondary instrument of his/hers --- in other words, nobody could play their primary instrument. It might sound awful to the audience (if any), but it would be a lot of fun and would be great musical training for the participants.
![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
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Author: marzi
Date: 2007-10-17 21:14
Our high school does have a day they switch instruments, pity the student who gets a double reed....And as we speak , youngest son is now blowing notes out of the baritone, pronouncing it awesome. Don't think he will be going back to the trumpet any time soon..!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-10-17 22:08
DS,
Sounds like you are #1 Dad and on your way to being a fine future band parent. You'll have to read past Funky Winkerbean strips that feature Dr. Harry L. Dinkle, World's Greatest Band Director to find about about turkey sales.
But here's a link to Dr. Dinkle's website.
http://www.dinkles.com/meet.asp
HRL
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