 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: marcthafunky
Date: 2008-03-22 23:38
i need help learning i will be getting a clarinet soon and know nothing about playing one so please help
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-03-23 00:52
If you are in the Chicago area (as per your ISP listing in your post) I would recommend taking lessons with a good instructor. There are many to choose from in the Chicago area. I would start lessons before anything, including (if possible) purchasing a clarinet for yourself.
Welcome, by the way!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: marcthafunky
Date: 2008-03-23 01:00
my isp is wrong i live in waterloo iowa i have already bought the clarinet it is a gibson baldwin
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-03-23 01:27
the advice is the same -
find yourself a good private teacher, regardless of where you reside
return the clarinet to target stores for a refund - you will get very poor results with that instrument.
consult a private teacher then find a good instrument at a music store.
i didn't know target sold clarinets - google is an amazing thing - $99 - including mouthpiece, ligature, reeds, etc., such a deal.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-03-23 02:46
Depends on what you think lessons cost. A professional player who teaches university level students will cost a whole lot more than one of his more experienced students. A new player doesn't require a teacher with massive experience, but you do need someone who's "been around the block a few times" and who knows how to help you learn the basics and avoid the newby mistakes. Besides, a long-time student of a recognized teacher can pass along some tips he's learned himself.
To reduce costs you could also arrange for one lesson every second week. But you'd have to be self motivated enough to practice the week you don't have a lesson.
(Then there's always the idea of doing a work exchange, if you're a professional in your own right and can exchange work for lessons.)
You really need to have lessons, because from our desktops we can diagnose a few things but a teacher can have you miles ahead in no time.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-23 03:25
Btw, one lesson from a really good pro is worth many, many months without one. Save your time.
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Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-03-23 05:08
On the instrument, you'll probably find it easier to start out on something like a Buffet E11. I myself started on one, as do most of the beginners I know. And like mentioned before, lessons, from a student or pro teacher, will do you good. I'll tell you from experience, when I first started, I didn't like lessons that much. But I took them anyways to stay in the top band. Then last year I went without and realized by the end of the year how much they had actually helped me. So now I've gone back to them. Bottom line: lessons help even the most experienced of players. I'm sure you'll be able to find a teacher who can fit in the budget.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
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Author: D
Date: 2008-03-23 08:10
I have lessons on trombone about every six weeks to two months. Partly because of money and partly because of time. I have experience on other instruments so there is a fair amount I can do on my own. It's the only way I can afford lessons with a good teacher. It suits us both as a regular 'slot' is impossible for either of us and we are both flexible about canceling and rearranging when he has a gig or when I get sick or have to work extra.
There is a lot you can do on your own. But a working instrument is a must. You also must have some kind of instruction - however you go about arranging that. If you have no experience of music already then get hold of some entry level music theory books - if funds are really that short try a large public lending library. You can probably find someone to teach you the basics of music theory quite cheaply, even if a good clarinet teacher is more expensive. You want to spend the expensive lessons on the instrument - not on learning what a treble clef looks like. Joining a choir which works from sheet music would be a cost effective way to learn a lot about music and would certainly help your playing.
When your instrument arrives you can always put it straight back on ebay. Whatever age you are there is surely opportunities to earn a little extra money to fund something that works. It all depends how badly you want it! Try asking around community bands or orchestras and see if anyone has a an old student clarinet in good condition lying around at home. Quite often serious players have a spare of a good standard, and then a load of other instruments they've collected along the way. They may possibly be prepared to lend for a small fee or sell one on. Has to be in proper working order though.
Good luck with however you manage to sort things out.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2008-03-23 13:26
most people here will tell you to go take lessons becuz a teacher can help you do many things correctly; from choosing a good clarinet, to what kind and strength of reed, how to put it on, how to form an embouchure, how to hold the clarinet, and even how to put it together without knocking the cork off the bridge key.
If you absoulutely cannot afford a teacher....you can get a beginner book and try it yourself. at first you will probably feel some success with just playing a few notes, but as you progress, you will run into difficulties and then get frustrated.
I can already see your first frustration will be your instrument. Some clarinets just look like a clarinet but do not function well. The mouthpiece that comes with almost every clarinet should be replaced with something better. One "size" does not fit all. So you need to find something that works best for you. Some Clarinet makers use cheap keys and pads and material and the function of the clarinet is so poor, even a good experienced player might have a hard time with it, let alone a beginner.
I dont have as much experience as a lot of people on this board, but I wanted to try and back up the reasons why people are saying to take lessons, and why you need to get a better clarinet to start.
You dont have to - but soon, you will get frustrated and not experience the joy of clarinet playing.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-03-23 14:14
fwiw,
most repair shops will refuse to work on that instrument
and many private teachers will refuse to teach a student with one of those things.
i've seen similar instruments break after only a few minutes of playing time.
they look like clarinets, but they have numerous mechanical and accoustical problems, thus we refer to them as 'CSOs' - Clarinet Shaped Objects.
D's advice to put it right back on ebay is good - get rid of it ; then save up for a decent instrument and a few lessons to get started out right.
Bandie's advice about the E11 is spot on also.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-23 14:19
It is like buying a bike to get in shape that is really, really hard to ride as it is heavy as a rock. You put a lot of effort into it, but don't get very far and it is frustrating when the chain slips over and over again.
That is the Clarinet that you have.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-03-23 14:43
Well, at least, according to the web site, there is a 5 year warranty on the horn. If they honor it, it might not be as bad as folks here have feared.
I'm sorry if folks here may be sounding inordinately harsh on your first couple of posts, but we are actually looking out for your interests as a beginning clarinetist.
In any case, I wish you luck with your new interest, and hope that your clarinet will exceed our expectations. Playing the clarinet is really a lot of fun, once you get going with it.
As mentioned by another poster, you might want to see if there is a community band in your area. In most of these bands, there are helpful people who will be willing to give you one-on-one help as you encounter difficulties with playing a new instrument. Plus,as you progress, you will find that being part of a band is a great experience.
You might want to upgrade to a better mouthpiece, in any case. Check out the Clark Fobes Debut, the Hite Premiere, or the Gennusa Intermediate model. All are inexpensive, quality pieces and are much better than the ones provided with beginner clarinets. They are all around $30 or less! A good mouthpiece/reed/ligature combination is the most important aspect of producing a good sound from the beginning.
You can find outr more about the Fobes a at the sponsor site listed to the right side of these pages under Mouthpieces. Look for Clark Fobes mouthpieces on the new page. Ben Redwine makes the Gennusa pieces, and there is also a link to Redwine Jazz, which is Ben's company.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2008-03-23 14:57)
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Author: mallardbay603
Date: 2008-03-23 15:09
I don't have much knowledge about teaching and have had a hard time getting any help learning but the book by Hal Lenard with DVD and CD helped me also David Pino Clarinet and C Players both on Amazon under Clarinet and a trip to a repair shop with an open mind could be worth many days work. Good Luck- Ive played about 1 yr with a band rental off and on to see if the problems are my clarinet or me that helped a lot.
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Author: Jkelly32562
Date: 2008-03-23 19:32
If you are a true beginner, as an educator, I would refer you to "Essential Elements 2000" Bb Clarinet Book 1. This book has some of the best basics, and it comes with a CD of someone playing the song for you, and then a group accompaniment of you playing the song. It also comes with a DVD for some great pointers on posture, assembly and care, as well as tips on how to play. It is a very basic guide to the clarinet and the very best beginner book in my opinion. When I first began teaching I used "First Division Band Methods", but the technology that comes with the "EE 2000" series helps more students succed with independant studies.
Oh and is is only $6.99 at wwbw
http://www.wwbw.com/Hal-Leonard-Essential-Elemets-2000-for-Bb-Clarinet-i29050.music
Jonathan Kelly
jkelly32562@troy.edu
Post Edited (2008-03-23 19:33)
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Author: D
Date: 2008-03-23 21:07
As for theory books you could do with something designed for the country you live in (i.e. the books I have here in England use different names for quite a few things - especially the notes!). If you can, try whatever a decent music programme in a local high school uses, as it will ensure the same vocabulary as the majority of people who you may approach for help. And in an order which will be predictable to any local teachers.
Another handy hint for those on tight budgets, I went to a charity shop yesterday and bought a load of music for less than a quarter of what it would be in the shops. It tends to be the standard exam repertoire, and other popular music. Always worth a look if you are walking past! Our local public library has a large sheet music section as well, not so great for clarinet music, but they always have loads for string quartets......not sure why......but anyway, that is worth a look too. And, they had a few theory books.
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-03-24 01:59
As for beginning books I'd recommend the Galper Method I and II books. They can be ordered on the net. If you decide to use these, be sure to learn each one of the small studies and not allow yourself to advance too quickly. Each one has some technique or pattern or alternate fingering that will be of great help as you move along to other things. Be absolutely sure you follow his tips on air support, phrasing, etc etc that show up in the books. One of his students wrote about him after his passing, that when he went to visit Galper they discussed problems that had crept into this person's orchestral playing, and surprise! They were solved by going back to the basics... all described in his Method Books.
They're short books but concentrated, a great way to build a solid foundation for taking up other great learning methods.
If you can get David Pino's book from the library to read when you have time in the airplane or another relaxing place (??) that's a good read to find out some usual pitfalls for new players and how to solve them.
And there's good advice already supplied here on the BB.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-24 03:02
For the Galper method books you should probably get them from Luyben Music as what is elsewhere on the Net are the older Boosey & Hawkes "Clarinet for beginners" book that was updated by Galper with his release of his "Clarinet Method" - that's what Luyben carries and is published by Waterloo Music. Galper used Luyben to carry his publications.
I like his Clarinet Method better than the other book clarinet for beginners as mistakes were corrected, and it is more organized.
To practice scales, Galper's scale book is sold by a sponsor here and is really easy to read and quite good.
http://www.vcisinc.com/clarinetmusicstudies.htm#C510
If they carried his updated Clarinet Method series I'd tell you to get it there, but they don't. Heck of a great site though, and worth a long look.
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