[Dixielandjazz] Clarinet Newbie

[Steve Barbone]

Hey Bob:

You can learn to play clarinet fairly easily from a book. Especially as you
are now already a musician.

Don't let the reed guys scare you. There are many players who are/were self
taught on clarinet. And some, like Bechet, were self taught on Soprano. No
doubt there are fingering charts in the books too.
 
But then, you can invent your own fingering as your progress. Heck, Both Bix
Beiderbecke and Roy Eldridge come to mind as people who did not finger
"correctly" using the wrong valves, yet the right notes came out. In the
absence of altissimo fingering charts in the 1930s, Artie Shaw invented the
fingerings we now use.  And today, some clarinet players use alternate (read
"wrong") fingering above high C, especially for D, E, and F.

Ask a couple of clarinet players near you for a little personal assistance
when questions come up. Best to get embouchure and articulation advice early
on. 

Yes clarinet is harder than the sax family to play, but it isn't that hard,
and as far as I'm concerned, easier than flute.

Then, go sit in. You're welcome to do so with us when you are in the
neighborhood. (On flute too).

Cheers,
Steve Barbone