We’re seeing some awesome Clarinet submissions! Keep sending them in :D

lilio:

Heres the original post http://lilio.tumblr.com/post/24300964741

the-rite-of-spring asked: Hey there! I wanted to ask for some advice! So I'm the new clarinet section leader in my school's marching band for next season. So I've been considering having my section use synthetic clarinet reeds. Any opinions on their use in marching band? I know they're not ideal for concert band, of course. Also, if you could give me any other advice regarding other things that might help musically or in terms of leadership techniques it would be very much appreciated! Thank you! <3

Personally I prefer synthetic reeds for outdoors because they don’t dry out. Word to the wise, its never a good idea to require your section to have a certain piece of equipment, while it’s ok to recommend it, people should still have the option of using can reeds if they want to. This actually also relates to leadership techniques. As section leader you should act more like guide and less like a ruler. Try and show them the general direction you want them to head in musically but don’t be overbearing trying to require them to purchase certain items and things like that and always remember, different things work for different people.

Hope this helps,

Lilio :D 

ncoan asked: Hi there! I just got my first clarinet student (ever) and I'm starting lessons with her next week. She has never played before and will be starting band next school year. Any advice on where to start? Thank you so much!! :D

Hello! I think that the best things to remember when teaching a beginner is to first make sure that they could get a (proper) sound out of the instrument. So teach them how to breath correctly and how to make a proper embouchure. Best way to do this (and to make it ‘fun’ and engaging) would be to utilize a coffee straw. After that, transfer that to the instrument itself and try an open G. Then, assuming that they don’t have knowledge of notes or rhythm, teach them how to read notes and rhythm and afterwards, start teaching them notes and go from there! I’m not entirely experienced in teaching beginners (as much as i’d like to…i would love to teach) but I hope this was helpful to you :). Good luck to you and to her!

-Lea

I have been teaching clarinet for about 4 years and when I do get any student no matter what level, I start from ground Zero and work my way up. Depending on how old/good they are, the pace is determined by them.

For my absolute beginner’s, I start out with the case in front of them and teach them how to properly apply cork grease and which cork grease is the best. I don’t know if it’s available everywhere but Collin’s  Cork Grease is amazing and you can be really generous and it doesn’t ruin the cork at all. It is also scented and gives off a very nice smell. To top it off, it has vitamin E and is moisturizing for the skin..lol and it doesn’t take forever to get off your fingers like most cork greases out there.

But I digress, I then teach them how to properly assemble the clarinet which can be seen in this video [x]. 

I have them assemble and disassemble about two times together and then two times alone.

Then I talk about posture. I show them what bad posture does when someone tries to play and then I talk about breath support and then I talk about the reed and ligature.

All of this usually lasts for the whole first lesson because i want them to know about the clarinet and their bodies before playing. 

I try not to give more than 2 points each lesson. Anymore than that, then they will forget most of it. I find it really helpful to write everything down before the lesson that you want to go over with them or writing it out after to remind them what they need to work on from the last lesson and reminding them what you want them to work on in the lesson material for the future lesson.

Since she is starting next year, this gives her the advantage of not needing to rush what she is learning and you can take it nice and slow. That way when it comes time for her to play during the school year she will have all the foundation material covered and will progress faster than she would have had she not taken the lessons.

Take things slow, be patient and be fun. But don’t be too soft. I’ve witnessed a couple of young teachers being too soft and the kids don’t really follow after a while and grow bored and “defiant”.lol but i’m sure not all are like that.

I hope this helps :]

Oscar Soria