 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lp_427
Date: 2015-02-17 06:15
Hello. This is my first post, so bear with me please.
I've finally been loaned a clarinet to practice with a few months ago, and things seemed to have changed in the year I haven't been playing it, and let's just say it ain't pretty.
I've gotten braces and have switched to bass clarinet last year. I used to be able to play wonderfully a while ago, but now it's everything you wouldn't want to hear. I'm having basic problems like squeaking, crossing the bridge smoothly, playing in tune, and just with tone overall. I can barely get through pieces smoothly.
I'm trying to practice as much and as often as I can, since I want to take music ed in college and know bass clarinets aren't typically primaries, heartbreakingly enough.
It seems like bass clarinet easily screwed me over too, it feels weird to be reunited with the eighth note and friends, haha.
Does anybody have any tips for what I can work on and do when I practice, or anything else?
I'll be happy to tell you more if that'll help.
Post Edited (2015-02-17 06:16)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-02-17 08:00
First of all, get someone who knows what to look for to make sure the clarinet is in good mechanical shape.
You don't say what grade you're in, but if you're in high school and serious about a music ed major in college, you should be studying with a clarinet teacher. A good teacher could probably help you straighten out the problems you're having fairly quickly. If a good clarinetist isn't available nearby to teach you, your band director should be able to give you some help. It's hard in cyberspace to diagnose problems that we can't hear, however much detailed description you may provide.
Karl
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Author: lp_427
Date: 2015-02-17 09:06
That's great, thank you. I'm actually going to try and land a spot with a clarinet teacher whose also a very involved performer over the summer after she's done with maternity leave.
And if it helps, I'm a sophomore, bass clarinetist of our symphonic band, and I am definitely passionate about teaching music.
I'll also try and see if I can get the clarinet checked. It's a hand me down school instrument if anything.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-02-18 00:15
If its any consolation, the term "a frustrated returning clarinetist" may be the most redundant one out there.
Clearly, my intent is not to correct grammer and style, let alone of someone already thwarted by our beloved instrument, but rather to assure you that your frustrations are empathized with here. Clarinet is a tough instrument.
The recommendation for instruction above is solid, and I know someone in the San Franciso area I think is good for people all ages should your first choice (which I know from context is not her) doesn't work out.
Communicate failure to secure your first choice teacher here if that comes to pass.
Good luck. Set expectations for small advances, as measured over weeks and months, not days, so as to prevent your clarinet from becoming a javelin.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2015-02-18 19:39
'hand me down school instrument' sets off a lot of alarms in my mind.
Many students fail after moving to bass, due to the condition of the instrument.
Get it checked out by a shop with experience working on basses. Have a good teacher play the instrument - even small leaks or key adjustment issues can really mess up a bass clarinet, frustrating the student.
Then you'll want a decent mouthpiece. A Fobes Basso Nova is a good one. But get the instrument into the shop first.
good luck.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: lp_427
Date: 2015-02-19 07:49
Thanks, you guys are amazing help.
Sign ups for the summer season of classes aren't till May, so I guess I have plenty of time to do my research.
I'm definitely going to see if I can get the clarinet to the shop too, but I've been meaning for the soprano clarinet, since that's the one that's been in awful condition. The bass clarinet, on the other, hand, I'm renting, and it's performs beautifully. I know where you're coming from though; the few other students our band director has put on bass clarinet have hated it with a passion; but I wouldn't be surprised since the two school basses we have are next to useless (even a trip to the shop didn't help) and can barely whisper.
It really stinks since I have a great bass clarinet and can play well on it, but isn't accepted by most schools, but have a clunky soprano which I'm struggling on and probably need if I'm intending to continue to do what I love; I know in the meantime hard working is what I can do to help myself.
I'm going to see about the mouthpiece, too; the one I have literally has bite dents where the upper teeth would go, but I know how hard or impossible it is to find a quality mouthpiece which won't give your parents a heart attack.
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