 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: hannelore
Date: 2013-05-24 18:18
My godchild becomes 3 years "old", and hankering after clarinet. She can already blow on my mouthpiece, but she asks for a small clarinet to learn more. I know there exists Nuvo child clarinets and Sans clariphones, but therefore, she has to grow a little bit. Maybe, in a year, it's possible, but is this recommended? It's very attractive to buy a little instrument for her third anniversary.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-05-24 19:07
Usually in the States you see children starting around 8yrs old (5th grade) with school band opportunities.
I've seen a lot of folks on this board declare all sort of things about how old you must be to "blow correctly," or "reach the keys," etc. but I think as long as there is a real interest on the part of your godchild, a practical beginning instrument and a good hand to guide her (an inspired teacher), SHE will be able to determine if she can do this or not. Of course there are no restrictions on piano or violin.........but I'd love to see another Sabine Meyer !!!!!
...............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2013-05-24 19:18
It's more a matter of anatomy than anything. Most children won't have hands large enough to comfortably hold the instrument and properly manipulate the keys until they are a few years older than your godchild. There are certainly some cases where children can start learning to play while still very young but I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of clarinet students don't start much before 8 years of age.
Personally I'd suggest buying her a plastic recorder to start out on while very young. It would certainly help her to start learning music and help to build dexterity in her fingers.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rmk54
Date: 2013-05-24 20:20
Umm, I don't think you will find many 8-year-old 5th graders...
I started in first grade (7 years old) but I had large hands.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-05-24 20:29
I started when was 11 to try to correct an orthodonic problem. (It did not work)
richard smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2013-05-24 20:45
Entering 5th graders are 10.
Where I teach, they start as a 6th grade student (age 11).
I usually recommend that they start on piano in 2nd or 3rd grade,
then move to clarinet when their school band program allows (5th or 6th grade).
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-05-24 20:52
I started in 4th grade at age 8. Didn't hurt me any, and 45 years later, I am still playing! 
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."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-05-24 23:16
There are a few young clarinetists who have started around age 3. The one in the USA which I've seen on Youtube with his teacher started on an E flat clarinet (Michele Gingras' student Louis). The other would be Julian Bliss, the British clarinettist, who started (if I recall correctly) on a Lyons C clarinet.
So yes, it's possible to start clarinet younger than the 8-11 we usually start in the USA. I think the two most important things are: 1) to have a smaller clarinet so the student can actually physically handle the thing (hands and mouth) and 2) to have a teacher who understands how younger students learn and who can coach them slowly through the needs of the clarinet.
The only question is what to do when the child loses the baby teeth and grows the adult teeth. I asked Julian Bliss once when he had a question-answer session on his Facebook page what he had done as his teeth changed and he said he didn't remember but that his parents and teacher told him that he managed to play somehow!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MSK
Date: 2013-05-24 23:59
There are Youtube videos of a 5 year old Julian Bliss playing a Lyons C clarinet. I believe it is now sold as a "clarineo". That said, there is a lot of physical and cognitive growth between ages 3 and 5. When my son was preschool age I got him a black colored recorder that to him looked like as clarinet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-25 00:01
Katrina wrote:
> I asked Julian Bliss once when
> he had a question-answer session on his Facebook page what he
> had done as his teeth changed and he said he didn't remember
> but that his parents and teacher told him that he managed to
> play somehow!
Perhaps the double lip emboucher? :-)
The Japanese notoriously start students musically in what would be preschool in the US.
I started clarinet in 4th grade, but sadly lost interest until I turned 57 this past year. It was my 11 year old niece who inspired me... I believe you should encourage her, whether it's an Eb clarinet or a soprano recorder, but it should be something she can handle physically as well as call her own.
Tristan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill Patry
Date: 2013-05-25 00:29
My daughter started at 7, on a Backun/Bliss. She had no issues with her hands being big enough. She is now 11 and plays bass (Selmer 65 Low Eb), A, Bb, C, Eb, and basset horn. If they want to play, they should.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robert Moody
Date: 2013-05-25 01:31
I have a boy in the oven right now (due on July 14th) and have no doubts that, if he shows interest, I will get him an appropriate sized clarinet and let him have at it.
Don't worry about "how they do it in the USA". As far as public education in the USA, we have it all messed up. Look around the world for examples and make your choice.
Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-25 03:54
Unless you're a phenomenon like Stanley Drucker, starting clarinet in the 7th grade is a bit late. William Kincaid said that it was difficult for those who started that late to develop the effortless, rippling technique necessary to be a top player. I started in 7th grade and wish I had started at least two or preferably three years earlier.
George Waln kept a picture in his studio of a very young boy -- maybe 5 -- with an Eb clarinet. At that age, you have great physical and mental adaptability. A 5-year-old can immigrate and soon be speaking accentless English. Learning the language of music, and the language of clarinet playing, is the same. At 13, it's much harder.
Age 3 is very young, but if your godchild has the hankering, you should let her try. Her attention will certainly wander, but it can't possibly harm her to start this early.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-05-25 03:58
When I was 6 I was already determined to play clarinet. The first couple of places said I can start with recorder or choose another instrument. That resulted in a kid crying... until one special teacher agreed to take me and heard an idea from a teacher in Holland of starting younger kids with Eb clarinets, which is what we did.
At 3-4 years old, I guess it's very individual, but I don't know if I'd have weekly lessons, etc. or anything too serious with a clarinet. Though I guess many kids can start having lessons at 4-5 and it's fine.
How about getting a really cheap Bundy (or equivalent) and maybe let her mess with just the mouthpiece+barrel+upper joint, or something she can hold more easily than a full clarinet (or completely assembled if she wants). Maybe with a Legere reed. Then it can just sit somewhere and she can mess with it pretty much whenever she wants.
Or try to get a plastic Eb clarinet already. Then she can use it for lessons too if she decides to be more serious in a year or two.
Just one idea, I'm sure there are many more.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: eaglgenes101
Date: 2013-05-25 21:52
I remember there was an e flat clarinet designed for children... I dont know if they still sell it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2013-05-25 22:00
Ricardo and I both started Clarinet in 7th grade.
Former Summer Festival student of mine started at 16, and by 29 was a University Teacher, and playing in the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Younger is ideal though.
An issue that comes up is the baby teeth loss thing in 2nd grade typically - those front teeth are needed!
I got my kids a KinderClari, and a Lyons.
Kinder being in Eb, and Lyons in C.
Both were very good and can be used by a really tiny student.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gemini-clarinet
Date: 2013-05-25 22:41
I started playing clarinet in the middle of 8th grade (13 years old). Most of the other students had been playing for several years before I started, but I progressed quickly. I remember my disappointment when I was not good enough to get into t he middle school band that year, but I was 1st chair and in region band 2 years later when the other kids were still squeaking their way through The Star Spangled Banner. I guess being a "late bloomer" was ok in my case. I still wish I had started sooner.
I had originally wanted to play violin but chose a wind instrument when we found out that the high school I was going to attend the next year did not have a string program. I really don't remember suggested the clarinet, but THANK YOU whoever you were!
If missing baby teeth are an issue, I suppose you could always have the child wear false ones like those creepy little beauty pageant girls have.
Barry
CLARINETS:
Bb/A Selmer 10S
Eb: Selmer Centered Tone
C: Amati
Bass: Conn
Post Edited (2013-05-25 22:59)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paula S
Date: 2013-05-26 10:08
If you go down the small clarinet route, I would advise getting the Lyons C or Eb/Kinder rather than the Clarineo. I have difficulty reaching the left hand B lever on the Clarineo as it is not adjustable like on the older Lyons. You still see second hand Lyon's Cs for sale on that auction site.
I am about to have key work alterations on my Eatons so that the lever is easier for me to reach. I am very smooth, fluent and secure on my Eb clarinet. I have tried every hand position possible on my Bb/A but it still troubles me. At 48 I don't think there is any chance my hands will grow. The Uebels I had when I was 16 did have more ergonomic keywork for my hands and that lever was easier to reach.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-26 13:07
Paula S -
If you have not been evaluated by a physical therapist who specializes in musicians, I strongly urge you to do so before you make alterations to your keys. The therapist will quickly find what is causing your problems and make recommendations about what to do. The therapist I went to helped me very much.
I think it would also be a good idea to get in touch with Peter Eaton, who may be willing to make key alterations or recommend someone he trusts.
----------------------------------------------------
I bought a Lyons C clarinet and did not like it. The plastic mechanism was so flexible that I couldn't feel secure when I played it. I've read that Julian Bliss started on one, but I think that a player with his natural talent would do well on anything.
Julian reads this board, at least from time to time. Perhaps he could comment.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-05-27 13:40
In the first half of the 20th century some teachers used to start their young students on an Eb clarinet. Once they were large enough they transfered them to a Bb clarinet.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter B
Date: 2013-05-27 17:32
Our daughter started asking for a clarinet when she was about 5. At first, we (both amateur clarinet players) dragged our feet, but eventually we bought an Eb. As we didn't feel capable actually teaching how to play, we had a private teacher (a conservatory student) to get her going and from age 6, she went to music workshops ("muziekatelier"). Being 8 now, this year she started going to the local music academy to start more formal music education (note: over here, this is outside the regular school curriculum) and meanwhile, having grown a lot, she switched to Bb.
At the time, we chose an Eb, as a C would still have been too big for her, it is a rather cheap plastic one, but with the full mechanism. I'm not sure though how this would work out for a 3-year old.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
