 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lonewolf9363
Date: 2008-04-23 01:57
I posted not to long ago looking for music...i was in a hurry and looking for any advice i could get. Now, I've decided to go in to more details so that i may get better advice.I am a freshman, I'm the best in my school, but I go to a small 1A country school, so thats not saying much. I'm not sure how to tell you what level I play at. I love to play the clarinet, and I'm always looking for ways to improve. I'm going to a summer music camp at Baylor. I can't afford a private teacher, but if anyone knows any in my area (in the heart of Texas) that are good, please let me know. Okay, now for my main problems....
First of all, I have premature arthritis, so it hurts when I play, and I'm on the small size so when I started to play the clarinet four years ago it was hard for me to cover the holes. Thus, I have developed a weird way of holding my clarinet. Excuse my immature use of words and vocabulary, but like I said, I got to a small school and we don't exactly have the best music program (just a marching band, and drum line) I hold the thumb rest on the back of the longest part of my thumb (i can't think of any other way to explain it) It lessens my pain from arthritis, but it has also caused me to bleed from to much practice. Over the years it has claused, but thats not my problem....now that my hands are growing, it has limited my finger movement, and after years of playing like this (with my right hand slanted drastically) I have found it nearly impossible to change it. I even went back to basics, starting with the most basic of notes. I can't even just hold it right. Any possible advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Secondly, I would like advice on my breathing and embouchure. I just recently started to breath from my diaphragm, so if anyone can think of any practices I can do...please let me know. Also, I don't think I'm holding my mouth right, I bite so hard on my bottom lip...any tips? Oh...and what does double lipping mean?
Thank you for taking the time to read this horribly long topic...: )
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-04-23 02:25
First off, welcome! Try using something like a Ridenour Thumb Saddle. They are less than $15, and may help open up your hand a bit, ans also make it more comfortable to play. You can find them at www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com .
For breathing, try a few eexercises for breath control:
Strike a regulkar march and let it ignite. After that try to blow out the yellow part of the flame wioth your breath, but keep the blue flame at the bottom going.
Also, put a small pieve of paper (say 5x7 inches) against the wall with one finger. Blow hard e3nough to keep the paper against the wall, after you have released the paper from being held up by your finger.
Try Long Tones. This is basically just starting out a note at ppp, and building it to the loudest fortissimo you can create, then slowly bing it back to the starting level again, all on the same breath. Start on a low E, and move up chromatically.
Have you seen an orthopedic specialist that has any experience dealing with musicians and their injuries? I know it might be difficult to find one hear you, and I don't know if your family's insurance would cover it, but if it would, try to find one and see what s/he suggests.
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: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2008-04-23 02:40
Three things that may help you considerably:
Get a clarinet with plateau keys (keys that have covers over the thumb and finger holes). Being able to place your fingers differently than you would with an open-holed clarinet may alleviate pain considerably. The only clarinet with plateau keys that I'm aware of that's readily available and inexpensive is Leblanc's Vito covered-hole model. It isn't a "professional" clarinet, but it will serve you through high school, at the very least.
Use a neck strap or one of the support mechanisms made by several manufacturers (whose names I can't remember, but will look them up and post them if nobody else has them on the tip of their tongue). Also, look into Ton Kooiman's Maestro thumb rests. They have helped many people, including professionals. However, if you opt for one of these, make sure that you see a physical therapist or orthopedist to set the adjustments. Don't try to do it on your own.
If the first two don't work out for you, and you're dedicated to the clarinet, find a technician who can alter the keys for you. Depending on your particular problems, simple and cheap remedies may be had. For example, because of a problem in extending my left little finger, I had my technician put a hunk of cork on my left C# which I shaped with an emery board until it was right for me, then coated it with clear nail polish. So, instead of having to pay hundreds of dollars to change the key, my problem was solved for five bucks.
Lots of options out there! Keep looking, and consult a physical therapist or orthopedist for help, too.
B.
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Author: lonewolf9363
Date: 2008-04-23 02:47
thanks for the suggestions, i will definatly check them out, but what about my holding the clarinet wronge? Must I just hold it the right way until I can finnaly move my hand? I seem to have trouble just holding my hand the right way even with out the clarinet.
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Author: ABerry
Date: 2008-04-23 03:51
Hannah,
You said you were on the small side, I would try using a neck strap as bmcgar suggestd, for a couple of reasons, it will take the presure off your thumb as well as helping you to hold the clarinet correctly. BG makes a couple different kinds and Neotech also makes straps. You will be able to find them at most of the online music stores and possible at your local music store. Woodwind and Brasswind, Muncy Winds and 1 Stop Clarinet and Sax Shop are a few places you can start with.
Allan
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-04-23 05:16
>It isn't a "professional" clarinet,
Vito's are underrated; if properly maintained, they play very well indeed.
See if you can find a sympathetic private teacher in your area to give you a few
discounted lessons - 2 or 3 lessons could possibly start you on the correct path. 'tis hard to solve issues like this over the 'net.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-04-23 18:00
So you're in Texas! I can relate to being a high school freshman in Texas, because I used to be one. :-)
Somebody on the previous thread you posted to suggested that you work on etudes from Cyrille Rose's 32 Etudes. If you're in Texas, though, you should buy "Artistic Studies from the French School (Vol. 1)," edited by David Hite. It actually contains the Rose 32 Etudes and well as Rose's 40 Studies. The reason why this edition is good if you live in Texas is that the audition music for all-region/all-state band in Texas is usually selected out of that book. (It's also a decent bargain as music books go).
I agree with pewd that you ought to try to find a teacher who would be willing to give you one or two lessons to get you on the right track. This is not as hard (or expensive) as it sounds. A 30 minute lesson with a professional teacher with a music degree costs about as much as a box of reeds. Somebody without a music degree (that includes students in music school) will probably be less than that. You could take a whole semester of lessons for less than the cost of band camp. In any case, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find anybody in your area who'd be willing to give you a lesson or two without taking you on as a regular student. Call Prof. Shanley at Baylor--he can probably help you find somebody to take from. (Or if you are closer to Austin, call Prof. MacDowell at UT).
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Author: D
Date: 2008-04-23 21:13
Is busking legal in your area? One way to earn the cash to pay for a couple of lessons! Or possibly give a concert with donations to music lesson fund. Are you old enough to get a part time job? If you can do a few weeks over a school break then that could keep you in lessons for a while.
It might turn out to be possible/necessary to get a modified velcro wrist splint made which extends down the thumb and takes some of the weight and also curves into your palm so you have to play with a posture that allows better circulation. I have a couple of friends with the thumb wrest mentioned above - but the expensive version. On has it on her oboe and cor anglais as well. They swear by them as they are quite adjustable, which sounds like what you need.
Really drastic, would be to save up for a bass. All the weight is on the floor and the stretch is about the same on the fingers as a Bb.
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2008-04-23 22:57
Double-lipping (or a double lip embouchure) means that your upper lip covers your upper front teeth and your lower lip covers your lower front teeth. Many people use a double lip embouchure and many fine clarinet players of the past used it as well, including Ralph McLane (Philadelphia Orchestra), Harold Wright (National Symphony and Boston Symphony), and the English soloist who made extensive use of vibrato, Reginald Kell. It can mitigate biting, and so save wear and tear on the lower lip. To start out, you can rest the bell of the clarinet on your thigh (which can relieve tension in your right hand) until you develop stamina in your upper lip. Tom Ridenour, who designed the Lyrique clarinet and who earlier designed clarinets for Leblanc, is a proponent of the double lip embouchure. His shop is in Denton, Texas. He's easy to talk to.
You have my utmost sympathy and support. Arthritis is quite a challenge...one of the more challenging autoimmune diseases. I suppose it's no surprise that people argue and fight with each other; after all, the human body fights with itself.
Best wishes
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Author: lonewolf9363
Date: 2008-04-23 23:20
thank you so much....all of you.
My music teacher from last year (JR Marinez...my favorite) actually gave me the book you suggested, and I've started working on it!
I'm going to try the neck straps, and the wrist splint, and who knows maybe I can find one of those adjustable thumb rests so many of you have suggested. I'm not old enough to get a real job, but I do train, and walk dogs, house sit, ect... And when I go to the baylor music camp I will definitely ask Stanely about private lessons. Thank you Mr. Brenner...for your advice, and I agree with you on your last comments about fighting....the human race is quite a peculiar one....not one of my favorite species, but none the less interesting to observe. Thank you all agian, and keep the advice coming!
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