Changing Instrument

[jennyjoan]

Well, haven't been to piano lessons for about 2 weeks and won't be back for another 3 - having said that with my having extreme difficulty in playing with left hand my left arm seized up very tensely resulting in my not getting rid of pretty excruciating pain from one week to the next (all due to arm being broke 3 times) over the years.

I am now thinking what I really wanted to for many years to learn Clarinet - I love my piano teacher - is he in a position to teach Clarinet. I know I can ask him but would anybody out there know. JJCon

PS I used to play recorder in my youth pretty successfully.

[The Builder]

When you've reached a certain level on the clarinet, then it's certainly possible for a music teacher of any kind to take you further.

For a beginner, I really do believe that you must have a teacher for that instrument. Woodwind, especially, involves a lot of "mechanical" techniques. He'll stop you from developing ingrained bad habits.

I'm off for my weekly lesson soon. Good luck :o)

[jennyjoan]

thanks Builder - do see from your avatar you indeed play the clarinet - when I first started with piano teacher - he showed me his shed where all his instruments were - ie organ maybe a guitar - didn't really take in what was there. I will give him a ring. Are you learning the clarinet long Builder? JJCon

[jennyjoan]

PS - I know you need to "blow" or use the mouthpiece in a certain way - that I do know to use your own "wind".

[jennyjoan]

sorry, it is maybe the saxaphone -

[The Builder]

Yes, it's a tenor sax, Jenny. I always played guitar, but I took up the sax quite late in life. I'm still going for lessons even after fifteen years. There's always something more to learn and develop, especially from a pro player which my teacher is.

The whole sound is produced in the mouthpiece. The fingers simply alter the note to whichever one you want. That's why I think it's essential to have that initial instruction. It's not compulsory of course. Many players are self-taught.

[jennyjoan]

Builder this is probably a stupid question but please bear with me. When I was learning the piano I would and still do practise on my organ but I was able to put headphones into it and practise and of course not annoy my neighbours. Is there a way of silencing the clarinet while learning. Thanks JJCon

[The Builder]

There is a "silent Brass" system but it's expensive, and looks very silly. You could Google it to see if it extends to clarinet.

There is a VERY silly looking thing that is actually a gig bag. You actually play the instrument while it's still in the case. Amazon sell it, but it's currently out of stock...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Sax-Soprano-Clarinet-Mute/dp/B00144D0WQ

Better though, have a look at this... available also for clarinet........

http://www.daveballard.co.uk/shop-item-796_Lebayle-Soprano-Sax-Mute.php

Not 100% silent, but a good reduction.

One common alternative is to play into an open wardrobe full of clothes :o)

[jennyjoan]

thank you very much builder - as I am in a semi-detached house I sure wouldn't want to annoy neighbours playing wrong notes over and over again. Think they would serve me an ASBO. LOL JJCon