[Dixielandjazz] Beginning clarinet

[John McClernan]

Rob,
The Klose and Lazarus are excellent books for later, but not for a  
4th grader, imho. Get him something that has "eye appeal" on the  
pages inside, is not too long so that he can "graduate" to book 2  
within a year and a half, stresses fundamentals of clarinet tone  
production and music fundamentals, is well thought out with exercises  
that introduce new concepts and have nice tunes that utilize the  
concepts, AND is enjoyable to play. Many beginning books also have a  
trombone version, so that might help you decide. Many of the books  
come with accompaniment CDs, which students enjoy using. However,  
sometimes the accompaniments are really cheesy or corny or too fast  
or "synthed" and not real instruments. (Part of the value in using  
accompaniments is hearing someone model a good tone.) Some  
accompaniment CDs are hybrids - you can use them in an audio CD  
player or put them in a computer and use them interactively, such as  
changing the tempo or changing the instrument that plays the melody  
or isolating just the melody. The average 9-year old is more computer  
savvy than we, so don't worry, he will figure it out. If you want to  
take the accompaniment idea to the next level, you can subscribe to  
SmartMusic at www.smartmusic.com  At the very least, go there and  
listen to Wynton Marsalis explain how SmartMusic transforms music  
education.

If you really want him to have the best chance for success, get him  
private instruction, and this is the important part, with a clarinet  
specialist. He will be the best model. He is also the person who has  
the most experience conquering his own and his students' problems.   
When it comes to private teachers (as opposed to the school's music  
teacher who is a specialist usually on one or two instruments and  
generalist on all the others), the personality match with the student  
is more important than most parents realize. It actually means more  
to his success than the material you choose. So, have the 9-year old  
meet him too when you go.

I have been teaching instrumental music to 4th-8th grades for 21  
years and have had great success. Part of that I attribute to the  
fact that I, as a tuba player, teach only the brass, the ww  
specialist teaches all the woodwinds and the percussion specialist  
teaches all the percussion. I know our situation is unique, but it  
works very very well. We have tried to counsel parents on giving the  
child the best chance for success. Sometimes they listen, sometimes  
not. But definite patterns have emerged over the years that are  
strong indicators for success, such as setting aside a regular  
practice time every day, earlier is better. Students who make  
practicing their last priority, after everything else has been  
completed, are not going to be very successful. I'm happy to share  
some of my experiences with you and willing to continue this off-list  
if you so desire.
Sorry I got long-winded.
Cheers,
John



On Mar 30, 2007, at 11:39 AM, Rob McCallum wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> My nine-year-old son has decided to study the clarinet.  I just got  
> him one, but was wondering what the best etude books are for a  
> beginning clarinet player.  Being a trombone player, I really don't  
> know the first thing @ the clarinet.  I studied out of the Arbans  
> book when I was learning.  Is there something like that for clarinet?
>
> Also, he really wants to learn to play jazz (he has really taken to  
> the Benny Goodman small group recordings).  I was in high school  
> before I began learning to improvise.  What's the most effective  
> method for getting the ear training going for that age level?
>
> Any input would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Rob McCallum
> Solar Jazz Band
>
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