 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: awildman
Date: 2016-05-30 01:07
I'm a busy adult with health problems. I'm also very new to clarinet. My musical background is irish fiddle and a few classical violin lessons. I am most interested in swing music and traditional jazz Ala New Orleans.
As you may know, there are not a lot of jazz clarinet hotbeds, and I'm struggling to find a teacher that plays jazz clarinet as their primary instrument/genre. I've also done extensive Web searches for skype lessons in this genre, but no real luck. I don't particularly relish the thought of self teaching or starting with classical material.
Does anybody have any thoughts or advice? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
-Aaron
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-05-30 03:02
Study with a jazz sax teacher. The concept of "jazz" is what you'll be learning. the principles and exercises and lessons will work for you, despite it being a different instrument.
Alexi
PS - if you find or feel you are lacking the fundamentals of clarinet (as in clarinet embouchure, fingerings, etc) take some lessons with your local classical clarinetist.
In short - study "clarinet" with a clarinetist, study "jazz" with local jazz artist (sax would be preferable, but not necessary. Just that brass tench pairs might be a little different and you're best to stick to a fellow reed player)
US Army Japan Band
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-05-30 05:11
I agree that you should try to find a jazz-playing teacher near you and also you should go as often you can to spots where jazz is played and get to know the players. Playing jazz is a gregarious social experience, not a lone wolf pursuit that you can get out of books. But just to have something in the New Orleans style to play along with at home, you might try the two sheet music/CD books in the Music Minus One series that Tim Laughin, a Pete Fountain protege, has recorded.
New Orleans Classics for Clarinet
and
The Isle of New Orleans
These are available on Amazon and from several other sources.
To get the New Orleans style right, you will have to spend many hours listening to the historical roster of players that come out of that style, including Johnny Dodds, Sidney Bechet, Albert Nicholas, Barney Bigard, Ed Hall, Irving Fazola, Leon Rappolo, Pete Fountain, Michael White, Doreen Ketchens, Evan Christopher, and others, trying to make your own transcriptions and playing
along with their recordings.
And don't forget to listen to Pee Wee Russell, a "trad" player who defies classification but certainly could play jazz. He moved seamlessly from Chicago/New Orleans jazz to bop and post bop to avant guarde, surprising you by his unorthodox approach to each style.
Post Edited (2016-05-30 19:48)
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2016-05-30 14:34
Good advice here already, so I won't add much to what has been written, other than to emphasize the importance of finding a regular trad/NOLA jazz jam session (the music doesn't happen for anyone outside of community--as Bob puts it, NOLA jazz is NOT a lone wolf, do-it-yourself occupation). My one word of caution about teachers is to make sure they understand and respect your goal. Many jazz teachers begin their pedagogy with bop, and aren't really capable of teaching NOLA styles. So I'd just be clear from the outset as to what you're looking for.
Good luck and keep swinging!
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: awildman
Date: 2016-05-30 22:20
Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure I will be able to find NOLA players here, but I was able to locate a Dixieland jam society(club). Hopefully they will get back to me with some good local recommendations.
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