 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Jodie
Date: 2002-08-17 08:41
HI!
I am an aussie girl of 21. I am about to start teaching myself clarinet. I've played alto sax, alto and descant recorder, keyboard, singing and guitar, and clarinet is my new hobby. I chose the clarinet as its an instrument that doesn't require chemicals like brasso which I am allergic to and a good price. I'm sure I'll love it, but I may not - there is a chance. I have joined these groups so that you all can give me the tips to learning. I use MIDI files and a MIDI sequencer for music, and I will be purchasing a C clarinet so I shouldn't have to worry about all the transposing I have to do with recorder. Any ideas would be great and any sites to help also.
Help on fingering charts would be great!
Thanks!
J.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-08-17 14:18
Fingering charts are available here on line. However suggest you find a teacher to at least guide you through the initial steps and basic embouchure, even if it's just a high school band student.
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Author: Jodie
Date: 2002-08-17 14:27
I understand what you mean, but I cannot have a teacher. I am housebound with deadly allergies (think boy in the bubble) and I cannot have visitors or go out to have a lesson. 30 mins into going out I would be fighting for my life. I have learn alto sax and so know how to deal with reeds and know all of embe-sures (if you can't spell, go phonetic ).
I just had a few question:
*C-key Clarinet finger chart?
What do you think on the wood vs plastic discussion?
I wanted to do C clarinet as I wouldn't have to do transposing - is there much diff between the Bb and C?
I think I can teach this to myself. I was a prodigy student in recorder, alto saxophone during my schooling years (I only got sick at 16 and so had to quit school) and I was highly commended. I don't give up very easily and will be persistent. I'm the best on woodwind, even though I also play other instruments.
thanks,
J
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-08-17 19:48
Clarinet & sax embouchure are a bit different but I understand your problem. So listen to good clarinet recordings and try to duplicate the sound.
Clarinets use the same basic fingering chart regardless of the key of the instrument. The C clarinet sounds in concert pitch. The Bb sounds a whole step lower while the A sounds one and a half steps lower. Some clarinets have extra keys but these aren't too common and you probably don't need to concern yourself with these. The C clarinet is generally considered to have a less full sound than the Bb and A versions.
The proper question is not plastic versus wood but student grade versus professional grade. It just happens that most student ones are plastic and most pro ones are wood. There are some student woods that are horrible and some pro plastics that are great. The main thing is to get a good quality horn regardless of material. Stick with Leblanc, Selmer, Buffet, and Yamaha. They have good quality instruments from beginner grade to pro grade.
No matter what brand or level of clarinet you buy, replace the mouthpiece with a high grade one. Even a student horn sounds markedly better with a good mouthpiece. Clarinet makers are specialists in clarinets not mouthpieces. Buffet mouthpieces are terrible although they make a top ranked clarinet. Leblanc mouthpieces are so-so. Yamaha mouthpieces are decent but there are better available. Selmer does have a division that specializes in mouthpieces but the ones in student horns are poor.
If it is possible to get a clarinettist to visit even occasionally, they can give you guidance on things that may frustrate you.
Good luck and have fun.
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Author: Gnomon (Eoin McAuley)
Date: 2002-08-17 21:48
Jodie, Dee is the expert on clarinets, so you can take it that anything she says is true. I'm a bit concerned about you getting a C clarinet. They are generally not considered quite as good as the Bb variety. Most clarinet music is written for Bb clarinet. You shouldn't have any problem with transposing if you've already learnt Alto Sax, so why limit yourself by buying a non-standard instrument?
I also play Alto Sax, all the recorders, guitar and a little piano.
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Author: Rebecca Ramon
Date: 2004-05-22 02:42
yes, i think that you should do fine with a C clarinet if you've got such an extended musical background. i have not played C for myself, but i have played the Bb for over a decade and i wanted to get a C because, unlike something that was said earlier, even though most clarinet music is written for the Bb, with the C you can play piano, violin, or oboe music if you want. um, the fingerings for both clarinets should be the same unless you get a german one they should all follow the same Boehm fingering style. there is plenty around on the internet about the differences in fingering stles. so therefore, if you get to understand the normal Bb fingerings, there is really no difference to the C. you would just have music that is in the key of C but the notes fingerings would be the same as the Bb. there are plenty of good fingering charts online around.
hope this kinda helps
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