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 Method Books
Author: clarinettefaerie 
Date:   2011-05-21 03:35

So, I'm beginning a clarinet studio. I'm receiving some younger students (soon-to-be-7th-graders).
My own clarinet teacher told me that making my own curriculum is the most effective means of teaching, but you can imagine... I'm a junior music ed student. I don't have tremendous amounts of time to make up a curriculum for each of my students, even through the summer. So, I'm looking at method books.
I myself used the Rubank methods for the first couple of years of lessons, but they never were very effective. So, I'm looking at some other method books.

Here's the list I've got so far-
Hovey's Practical Studies For Clarinet
Endresen's Supplementary Studies
Polatschek's 24 Studies for Beginners (possibly a few of the 12 Etudes also)

Would the Klose, (beginning) Baermann, or Lazarus Methods be effective? I haven't had time to really look through any of these, but would they work for beginning students? Are any of these (or others) on public domain so that I can choose some parts of each and kind of fit together to suit each student?



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 Re: Method Books
Author: Bob Phillips 
Date:   2011-05-21 03:51

I would choose the Gustave Langenus method. It comes in 3-volumes and has plenty of pleasant duo work --to let the student experience playing "with."

Bob Phillips

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 Re: Method Books
Author: Wes 
Date:   2011-05-21 08:19

They are all good books. I am used to and prefer using Rubank and Klose plus some handwritten scale and chord arpeggio studies (1-2-4 notes to a beat) plus long tones(first to second register and hairpin type). With the complete Klose, one can go to Kinkos and get it drilled and spiral bound. Good luck! I also have students get a small notebook and itemize their studies for the next week.

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 Re: Method Books
Author: clarinetguy 2017
Date:   2011-05-21 12:12

A lot depends on the level of your students. If they've been playing for a couple years, are mature, and have a solid foundation, use one of the methods listed above.

However, I'm going to bet that many of your students will have some serious weaknesses if they've never taken private lessons before. I'm speaking from experience (former public school teacher and current private teacher). You'll probably spend a lot of time working on embouchures and tonguing. You'll also discover that many of your students don't count rhythms very well.

I've found that many younger students who are at the beginner level (or close to it) respond best to books that are colorful with lots of familiar selections.
Too much music on a page or selections that are "too long" are big turnoffs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using one of the familiar class method books like Standard of Excellence or Band Expressions. I often do this, and I make sure not to use the book the student is using in school. You might have to supplement a little to give them more practice with the lower and higher notes, but with good teaching, you can take younger students a long way with these books.

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 Re: Method Books
Author: clariniano 
Date:   2011-05-21 15:30

For most students, I use the Galper clarinet method, I found it has a nice balance of melodies and technical exercises, the first book leads to early intermediate, and the second book is good up to late intermediate. And I supplement with duets, some that I've arranged myself but mostly from other sources, and repertoire outside of the method books. And if you play piano, or have a pianist available, most of the pieces, except for some of the earliest ones and the technical exercises, contain chords so that a pianist can play along, great for building ensemble skills.

I found the main problem playing wise with students who've never taken lessons before is insufficient air speed and air pressure. Another biggie for me is that most clarinetists use far too soft a reed, even after playing 3, 4, 5 or more years.

Meri

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 Re: Method Books
Author: William 
Date:   2011-05-21 15:40

My first lessons were out of the Rubank Advanced and the Lazarus method books. Later, came the Klose with the Rose 32 studies and it's scale and arpeggio sections. It really isn't the method book that you use as much as the focus of your instruction and the dedication of your student in practicing. There is no "magic" curriculum, just stress good, sound basics and be consistant from week to week.

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 Re: Method Books
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2011-05-21 15:41

I'd rather quit than use the rubank method.....

http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com


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 Re: Method Books
Author: pewd 
Date:   2011-05-21 15:52

email me offline, i'll send you my syllabus

- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas

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 Re: Method Books
Author: gwie 
Date:   2011-05-21 20:21

I think the most challenging thing with younger students is to figure out what they're capable of doing without a lot of instruction, identifying the things they absolutely need help with, and tailoring your materials and instruction to work on those concepts.

I draw on Klose, Baermann 3 and Rose 32 for the most part, but hand-write shorter, smaller versions of the larger exercises for the beginners. I especially like the 68 mechanism exercises from Klose, which I have my older kids transpose into other keys when they work on them.

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 Re: Method Books
Author: weberfan 
Date:   2011-05-22 01:09




Hendrickson Method for Clarinet by Clarence V. Hendrickson.
Vols. I and II. Available through Gary Van Cott.

More interesting than Rubank, in my view.

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 Re: Method Books
Author: clariniano 
Date:   2011-05-22 01:56

Also consider following a syllabus, your ISP doesn't tell where you are, but there's the Royal Conservatory of Music/National Music Certificate Program in the US and Canada. In the UK there is the Associated Board (ABRSM) and two or three other major ones, two are Trinity and Guildhall. In the US, there may be a state syllabus.

I personally combine the RCM with supplementary pieces, duets, and exercises depending on the student's needs and interests (and the needs of a concert theme I plan) Like we had someone last year do Baby Elephant Walk for the "Creatures Great and Small" concert. I've also found some like the Christopher Norton Microjazz books, they're mainly for piano, but they are available for other instruments. Whenever possible I aim for trios and quartets, but that usually only works if all the students attend the same school.

Meri

Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com

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 Re: Method Books
Author: Barry Vincent 
Date:   2011-05-22 02:05

I have found the Rubank books excellent if you are only just playing for the enjoyment of it, they are very complete in themselves. They form a series for each different type of wind instrument.

Elementary Method
Intermediate Method
Advance Method Book 1
Advance Method Book 2
Supplimentary Studies
Selected Studies

The Advance Methods have a grading system called "Outline' which a teacher can use to organise lessons.
There is good material up to 5 sharps / flats in the various major and minor keys
Excellent duet pieces.
Two pages of all the common trill fingerings.
Two pages of patterns for finger exercises.
Several pages dealing with ornamentations.

The Selected Studies cover advanced studies up to 6 sharps/ flats in various major and minor keys.

Thus everything the amateur would need in tudor books and as a bonus, they are cheap to buy.

Skyfacer

Post Edited (2011-05-22 02:06)

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 Re: Method Books
Author: Buster 
Date:   2011-05-22 08:23

First things first, you need to figure out what material provides you with the best options to convey your knowledge and guidance; unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately?) we can't answer that for you. ;-) I haven't ever had to develop a curriculum to show to someone else, nor would I choose to stick with one path for all kids. That being said, just a few thoughts.
(I'm assuming that these aren't absolute beginners here)

-The Rubank Method is a bit (or very) pedantic, but there are some merit-able things contained in it- in particular some rather nice duets. but it would be up to you to figure out what you could effectively use
-Baermann 3, if you're looking for scale studies, is a bit much for most 7th graders due to the range of octaves they cover. (You may find a hungry kid that could benefit from it though.) If you're looking for scale studies, I have found the Albert book to be a much better fit for younger students-and it's cheap!
-I have often used Klose with students, but this must be judiciously applied as the studies cover a wide range of difficulty. I don't have the book in front of me to give you page numbers, but could dig it out if need be. (Langenus can be substituted here- I'm just more familiar with Klose)
-If you are looking for long tone studies, try to get a copy of the David Weber warm-up. I have found it produces better results for many students rather than just telling them to play a note for a really long time as many teachers do. (parts of the warm-up are also a bit advanced for some students so apply as needed)
-David Hite published several books which I have pulled excerpts from. I can't remember all the exact titles as I am falling asleep but one is Melodic Studies, and I can look for the others tomorrow if you wish.
-certain Rode studies, or a few of the less technically demanding Rose 40 etudes can be applied
-and a "to be used in case of" book: a pile of blank staff paper as I find myself writing many things out from the scads of info. floating around in my head (a dangerous place to be for sure)
-I actually have used some basic over-tone exercises with younger students with great success (I must thank a dear friend for this one). However, this requires a bit more explanation than I am capable of right now.
Some of the other methods mentioned I do not know, and others I am vaguely familiar with but can't speak of with any authority. Just make sure whatever you decide to "codify" you feel most comfortable using and can apply with a judicious ear.
....and if you want to have some fun with a nervous student in a first lesson, throw some Jean-Jean or Cavallini on the stand. pause a few seconds and make a light-hearted joke, and then throw it aside. this has helped me open up an obviously scared-to-death student many a time.

good luck- I'm out



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 Re: Method Books
Author: sonicbang 
Date:   2011-05-22 11:52

I would also suggest Kurkiewicz's selected studies in 3 volume and Jan van Beekum's Divertimento and Virtuosa books.

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