What is the range that a beginner clarinet player should use (As in before grade 1)? The lowest to highest note that is good to begin playing.
Could you give your answer in relation to where the notes are on the stave? It would be easier to understand them that way. :-)
Full Version: Best Range For A Beginner?
I think the first notes I learned were E, D and C i.e. bottom line on stave and going downwards to middle c (1st leger line below stave). I probably also learn't the open note G (4th line - counting from top) and the A in the space above fairly soon afterward. Then the lower notes were concentrated on. G# and F# were early sharps (on the stave). Can't really remember what order though although it seems fairly common to work down in order of natural notes 1st.
Not a teacher and unfamiliar with what's needed for grade one but if I was to teach an absolute beginner I would start here.
Hope this helps. i'm sure someone more in the know will post soon.
Not a teacher and unfamiliar with what's needed for grade one but if I was to teach an absolute beginner I would start here.
Hope this helps. i'm sure someone more in the know will post soon.
Thanks for your speedy reply!
It was quite helpful, my brother is learning to start clarinet and i'm trying to teach him a little before he begins his lessons. (I'm using fingering charts from the internet and my knowledge of breathing). He can play most middle C to A second space from the bottom. I had him learning the notes lower than middle C, but then i learned that they were below the stave and it was very confusing for him! Plus he was having trouble hitting them. I myself tried to play the B (middle line) and i found it quite hard. Should I stop him on the A for now, or get him to play the B or not, do you think?
It was quite helpful, my brother is learning to start clarinet and i'm trying to teach him a little before he begins his lessons. (I'm using fingering charts from the internet and my knowledge of breathing). He can play most middle C to A second space from the bottom. I had him learning the notes lower than middle C, but then i learned that they were below the stave and it was very confusing for him! Plus he was having trouble hitting them. I myself tried to play the B (middle line) and i found it quite hard. Should I stop him on the A for now, or get him to play the B or not, do you think?
I think the best way to learn the clarinet is learning a low register note, say middle C, then adding the speaker key to make it go up the twelfth, to G. This is how I learnt and now teach. Teaching in this was doesn't give the student the problem so many of them seem to have with notes above the "break". And they seem to have made connections between the two registers.
If you know how to play the clarinet, you should know that you do not have to move your embouchure at all throughout all the registers, other than for the very highest notes, so this way should not cause any problems to students, as long as they have set their embouchure properly.
This way be criticised by others, but I have seen and proven it to work.
If you know how to play the clarinet, you should know that you do not have to move your embouchure at all throughout all the registers, other than for the very highest notes, so this way should not cause any problems to students, as long as they have set their embouchure properly.
This way be criticised by others, but I have seen and proven it to work.
Leave the b for now!!!! It's a very hard note for a beginner. The clarinet does not go up an octave on addition of the register key it goes into the next register (you can read more about this on line but basically it goes up a 12th I think) This is called "the break". Going over the break is very tricky because you need to use your embouchure too (mouth control). Instead work going down. Or just stop at these notes and work on a few simple tunes to improve breathing and control and just to allow him to get used to the instrument.
How old is your brother?
And what do you play?
have you made sure that he is positioning his mouth correctly and that he is starting the notes by "tounging" and not just forcing the sound out? Also what strength and type of reed is he using. A beginner should probably start with a 1 or 1.5 (I started with 1.5s) I also find vandoren better than rico but that's personal chice. Strength however for a beginner is very important. The lower the number, the less strong the reed, the easier the blowing is. As he gets better (I mean months or years here) he can increase the strength because stronger reeds do tend to give a better sound but he has to get used to it first.
May I suggest using a tutor book? I used the Grayham Lyons "The liveliest way to take up the clarinet" series when I was learning and still prefer them to the tune a day books but others will make other suggestions.
How long till he begins lessons? If very soon may be worth holding off on the book and see what his teacher recommends.
Edit: just seen previous post - We disagree on method!!! Most teachers I know would not do it this way but you could try and see how he manages. His teacher will have his own way. Playing is not just about the notes but about the musicality of them too. Playing a few notes well and in tune and with correct rhythms in a "piece" may be seen as better than knowing all the notes but lacking control and having a poor sound and rhythm.
How old is your brother?
And what do you play?
have you made sure that he is positioning his mouth correctly and that he is starting the notes by "tounging" and not just forcing the sound out? Also what strength and type of reed is he using. A beginner should probably start with a 1 or 1.5 (I started with 1.5s) I also find vandoren better than rico but that's personal chice. Strength however for a beginner is very important. The lower the number, the less strong the reed, the easier the blowing is. As he gets better (I mean months or years here) he can increase the strength because stronger reeds do tend to give a better sound but he has to get used to it first.
May I suggest using a tutor book? I used the Grayham Lyons "The liveliest way to take up the clarinet" series when I was learning and still prefer them to the tune a day books but others will make other suggestions.
How long till he begins lessons? If very soon may be worth holding off on the book and see what his teacher recommends.
Edit: just seen previous post - We disagree on method!!! Most teachers I know would not do it this way but you could try and see how he manages. His teacher will have his own way. Playing is not just about the notes but about the musicality of them too. Playing a few notes well and in tune and with correct rhythms in a "piece" may be seen as better than knowing all the notes but lacking control and having a poor sound and rhythm.
Bassoonboy:
I'm going to leave higher notes for now. He can play quite a few notes, over an octave already, and he's only had it for 3 days. I'm happy with his progress. :-)
Dawn F:
Don't worry, i'll leave the B. I've heard of the break andn i'm quite impressed with his progress, i won't make him do anything to difficult. Especially since he only started on friday. He's very good and he's enjoying it. So am I.
My brother has just turned 11. He also plays piano (grade 3)
I'm 14, i play piano (grade 7) and french horn (grade 5).
At the beginning, he was forcing the sound out, and sort of breathing every note, (that's what he's been told to do when he learned recorder in school, i don't know why). I noticed the problem immediately and now he tounges notes properly. I've made sure his mouth is in the right position, i asked some clarinet players at my saturday orchestra and they helped me. I'm using vandoren 1.5 reeds, they were the only ones that were at my school and he's making a very good sound so i'll stick with them.
I was thinking of getting him a 'tune a day book' (although the "The liveliest way to take up the clarinet" would probably be better as a clarinetist suggested them. XD ) but i'd much rather he just got lessons and learned what his teacher wanted. The only problem is finding a teacher. He can't get any at school, but he might be able to next year, when he starts high school. Tomorrow my mum is going to ring someone who'll definetely know if there are private clarinet teachers in the area and hopefully we'll get them.
Unfortunately cost is an issue, money is tight and the credit crunch isn't helping.
I'm going to leave higher notes for now. He can play quite a few notes, over an octave already, and he's only had it for 3 days. I'm happy with his progress. :-)
Dawn F:
Don't worry, i'll leave the B. I've heard of the break andn i'm quite impressed with his progress, i won't make him do anything to difficult. Especially since he only started on friday. He's very good and he's enjoying it. So am I.
My brother has just turned 11. He also plays piano (grade 3)
I'm 14, i play piano (grade 7) and french horn (grade 5).
At the beginning, he was forcing the sound out, and sort of breathing every note, (that's what he's been told to do when he learned recorder in school, i don't know why). I noticed the problem immediately and now he tounges notes properly. I've made sure his mouth is in the right position, i asked some clarinet players at my saturday orchestra and they helped me. I'm using vandoren 1.5 reeds, they were the only ones that were at my school and he's making a very good sound so i'll stick with them.
I was thinking of getting him a 'tune a day book' (although the "The liveliest way to take up the clarinet" would probably be better as a clarinetist suggested them. XD ) but i'd much rather he just got lessons and learned what his teacher wanted. The only problem is finding a teacher. He can't get any at school, but he might be able to next year, when he starts high school. Tomorrow my mum is going to ring someone who'll definetely know if there are private clarinet teachers in the area and hopefully we'll get them.
Unfortunately cost is an issue, money is tight and the credit crunch isn't helping.
Well done for helping your brother!!
the tutor book would help you to teach him as it would explain things like embouchure as well as the fingerings and give practice pieces for those notes.
Which you get is entirely your choice. Go look at some and see what is easiest for you to understand if you are teaching him. You could also ask in the shop what they recommend. I still prefer the liveliest way to tune a day but others will prefer tune a day.
Take your brother along and see what he likes the look of. If there isn't a preference, if one isn't easier to follow/ use then get the cheapest!!!
the tutor book would help you to teach him as it would explain things like embouchure as well as the fingerings and give practice pieces for those notes.
Which you get is entirely your choice. Go look at some and see what is easiest for you to understand if you are teaching him. You could also ask in the shop what they recommend. I still prefer the liveliest way to tune a day but others will prefer tune a day.
Take your brother along and see what he likes the look of. If there isn't a preference, if one isn't easier to follow/ use then get the cheapest!!!
If you can't afford/can't get a teacher right now then do get a book - it will guide you in which notes to play first and will give (some) technique tips. I say some as many of the tutor books don't give any technique as they are meant for use in conjunction with a teacher.
I like Abracadbra Clarinet for the tunes in it - but it doesn't give technique
'Play as you Learn' has good technique tips in it - but I found it a bit hard as a beginner as I didn't like the layout and order the notes were introduced. An the music gets quite hard quite quickly.
I think the complete clarinet player series has technique in it - I've only looked at book 4 and I like that one - but you'd need to start with book 1
I'd also recommend getting Summer Sketches by Paul Harris as it has some really nice sounding music that is suitable for a near beginner.
There's quite a lot of 2nd hand music available either online or in Charity shops and the like (There is a thread on 2nd hand shops) so that will save a few pounds.
Good luck
I like Abracadbra Clarinet for the tunes in it - but it doesn't give technique
'Play as you Learn' has good technique tips in it - but I found it a bit hard as a beginner as I didn't like the layout and order the notes were introduced. An the music gets quite hard quite quickly.
I think the complete clarinet player series has technique in it - I've only looked at book 4 and I like that one - but you'd need to start with book 1
I'd also recommend getting Summer Sketches by Paul Harris as it has some really nice sounding music that is suitable for a near beginner.
There's quite a lot of 2nd hand music available either online or in Charity shops and the like (There is a thread on 2nd hand shops) so that will save a few pounds.
Good luck
Thanks everyone for replying!!
Cost isn't THAT much of an issue. He can get a teacher fine. :-)
Renting out the instrument however, is expensive. He's got a very nice clarinet. It's a 'buffet', i don't know how good a make that is, but it makes a great sound and looks beautiful.
Hopefully we'll get a teacher soon.
Here is a recording of him playing twinkle twinkle little star with me (Piano). The quality isn't good because i used a digital camera with a bad mic. I haven't uploaded the video because i don't want his face on the internet. It's for my music teacher because she was the one who lent us the clarinet for free (from the music department) and i'd like her to see how he's doing: Click to listen
Cost isn't THAT much of an issue. He can get a teacher fine. :-)
Renting out the instrument however, is expensive. He's got a very nice clarinet. It's a 'buffet', i don't know how good a make that is, but it makes a great sound and looks beautiful.
Hopefully we'll get a teacher soon.
Here is a recording of him playing twinkle twinkle little star with me (Piano). The quality isn't good because i used a digital camera with a bad mic. I haven't uploaded the video because i don't want his face on the internet. It's for my music teacher because she was the one who lent us the clarinet for free (from the music department) and i'd like her to see how he's doing: Click to listen
First of all, as nobody has mentioned it and you may not be aware if it, the clarinet is a transposing instrument so the note that is written on the page is not what you hear when you play it. If you play a written C you will hear a Bb (that's why the most common clarinet is called a Bb). When people talk about the clarinet range and notes they usually talk about the range as written down, not as heard.
So, having got that straight: If I remember rightly the syllabus for grade one requires scales in F and G major, and A minor, over one octave in the low register. This is the range that the pieces will cover as well. So you are looking at a range from the F three lines below the treble clef, up to the A in the second space. The low register actually covers more than this (from the E below the F to the Bb above A), but this is the range required by grade 1.
The clarinet does require quite a few ledger lines (below and above the stave), but you get used to them! The low notes can also be difficult for a beginner, which is why most start with the left hand notes and creep up on the low ones later! It's just a matter of practice, like everything.
One tip for playing the 'throat notes' (from 2nd line G to mid-line Bb) is to keep the right hand fingers down covering their holes for these notes. You won't see this on the standard fingering charts, but not only does it improve the sound of the throat notes (which are notoriously weak) but it makes crossing the break easier when you come to it (which is in grade2).
The method of teaching the low register and the upper at the same time, just using the register key to jump the 12th, is not standard practice, but could perhaps be more widely used as it does mean that the foundations laid in the low register are going to be correct for the upper. A lot of beininners have trouble with the 2nd register because their fingering, although sounding OK in the low register, isn't really precise enough to get good tone in the 2nd. However it doesn't really do much for the technique of actually playing smoothly up and down accross the break.
So, having got that straight: If I remember rightly the syllabus for grade one requires scales in F and G major, and A minor, over one octave in the low register. This is the range that the pieces will cover as well. So you are looking at a range from the F three lines below the treble clef, up to the A in the second space. The low register actually covers more than this (from the E below the F to the Bb above A), but this is the range required by grade 1.
The clarinet does require quite a few ledger lines (below and above the stave), but you get used to them! The low notes can also be difficult for a beginner, which is why most start with the left hand notes and creep up on the low ones later! It's just a matter of practice, like everything.
One tip for playing the 'throat notes' (from 2nd line G to mid-line Bb) is to keep the right hand fingers down covering their holes for these notes. You won't see this on the standard fingering charts, but not only does it improve the sound of the throat notes (which are notoriously weak) but it makes crossing the break easier when you come to it (which is in grade2).
The method of teaching the low register and the upper at the same time, just using the register key to jump the 12th, is not standard practice, but could perhaps be more widely used as it does mean that the foundations laid in the low register are going to be correct for the upper. A lot of beininners have trouble with the 2nd register because their fingering, although sounding OK in the low register, isn't really precise enough to get good tone in the 2nd. However it doesn't really do much for the technique of actually playing smoothly up and down accross the break.
Many people would say that Buffet is the best make of clarinet - it's certainly up there with the best, so don't worry about that.
The sooner he can get a teacher the better, as if you yourself don't play clarinet it will be very difficult for you to correct faults in your brother's technique. I enjoyed listening to your recording. Can your brother read music fairly well? Well done for encouraging him - he's at a good age to start clarinet and music is a wonderful hobby.
The sooner he can get a teacher the better, as if you yourself don't play clarinet it will be very difficult for you to correct faults in your brother's technique. I enjoyed listening to your recording. Can your brother read music fairly well? Well done for encouraging him - he's at a good age to start clarinet and music is a wonderful hobby.
QUOTE(fabnt @ Nov 9 2008, 07:07 PM) 
Thanks everyone for replying!!
Cost isn't THAT much of an issue. He can get a teacher fine. :-)
Renting out the instrument however, is expensive. He's got a very nice clarinet. It's a 'buffet', i don't know how good a make that is, but it makes a great sound and looks beautiful.
Hopefully we'll get a teacher soon.
Here is a recording of him playing twinkle twinkle little star with me (Piano). The quality isn't good because i used a digital camera with a bad mic. I haven't uploaded the video because i don't want his face on the internet. It's for my music teacher because she was the one who lent us the clarinet for free (from the music department) and i'd like her to see how he's doing: Click to listen
Just had a listen to your recording. For three days that's not bad at all! Most beginners would have trouble keeping going that long after only three days. His sound reminds me a little of Aker Bilk - maybe you can get him doing "Stranger on the Shore" next week!
Buffet are a good make of clarinet. The one you have is probably a B12 (maybe a B10), which is the standard beginners clarinet. Their professional models are used in orchestras all over the place.
Jon S:
I did know that the clarinet was in Bb, but thanks anyway. :-)
Those are three scales which are easy enough. It's weird though that there isn't a C scale, but i understand why because of the break in the range.
I'm kind of glad about the ledger lines, he has a problem reading them (I don't think he learns well enough because his piano teacher writes all the notes on for him).
I don't understand all the stuff about his fingering, but hopefully when he gets a teacher they'll set him straight.
(for your second post, just above this one)
My dad keep telling me about the stranger of the shore, mabye i should listen to it and arrange something for him.
I don't know which model the clarinet is, it was one that I just found in school (we were going to try renting from the SELB, but i was very lucky) and there is no documentation or information on the clarinet or in/on the case, just the buffet logo. I'm glad it's a good make though.
Berkshiremum:
It's a good thing that his clarinet is such a good make. I'm very happy about that.
I'm trying to get him a teacher as soon as I can, but the main problem is that this may not be a good area for clarinet teachers, but then again it might.
He can read music well, thanks to piano. Although getting him to read ledger lines may be difficult.
I did know that the clarinet was in Bb, but thanks anyway. :-)
Those are three scales which are easy enough. It's weird though that there isn't a C scale, but i understand why because of the break in the range.
I'm kind of glad about the ledger lines, he has a problem reading them (I don't think he learns well enough because his piano teacher writes all the notes on for him).
I don't understand all the stuff about his fingering, but hopefully when he gets a teacher they'll set him straight.
(for your second post, just above this one)
My dad keep telling me about the stranger of the shore, mabye i should listen to it and arrange something for him.
I don't know which model the clarinet is, it was one that I just found in school (we were going to try renting from the SELB, but i was very lucky) and there is no documentation or information on the clarinet or in/on the case, just the buffet logo. I'm glad it's a good make though.
Berkshiremum:
It's a good thing that his clarinet is such a good make. I'm very happy about that.
I'm trying to get him a teacher as soon as I can, but the main problem is that this may not be a good area for clarinet teachers, but then again it might.
He can read music well, thanks to piano. Although getting him to read ledger lines may be difficult.
Go Luke Go!!!!
Well done!!!!
I loved listening to your recording. He's doing so well - you did say 3 days didn't you? he's obviously got a good musical grounding.
Maybe you could try the upper notes if he's doing this well!!
Noticed another poster told you about transposing - it's obvious you knew that from the recording as your chords worked.
Enjoy your music making boys!!!
I taught in a junior school before i had my daughter and i was always immensly proud of the kids achievements. It really moved me to see them on stage doing so well in the school concerts. Your recording just had the same effect on me.
Well done!!!!
Dawn,
A tip for getting used to the legers is to just add one note at once!!
He can do middle C so drop to the B or Bb and learn that next. Give him music to play with that note in it. maybe transpose twinkle twinkle or try something else. then the next day add the A and play pieces with the A in it slowly and bit by bit over maybe 2 or 3 weeks if necessary you can get down to the E - just don't rush him. Alongside this if he gets bored, introduce one or two of the higher notes. Keeping the right hand down for the throat (G to Bb) notes is a great tip, there are some alternative fingerings which give a stonger tone on Bb but I'd ignore them for now.
What some other posters were saying about the fingerings is that if the lower hand isn't covering the holes properly then it might still work on the lower register but not sound properly on the upper notes that have the same fingering with register key added (the one above thumb hole)
I've had a bit of this myself lately as I've upgraded my clarinet and the keys are positioned slightly differently. My clarinet is a Buffet E13 but I had my student Yamaha for over 20 years.
He can do middle C so drop to the B or Bb and learn that next. Give him music to play with that note in it. maybe transpose twinkle twinkle or try something else. then the next day add the A and play pieces with the A in it slowly and bit by bit over maybe 2 or 3 weeks if necessary you can get down to the E - just don't rush him. Alongside this if he gets bored, introduce one or two of the higher notes. Keeping the right hand down for the throat (G to Bb) notes is a great tip, there are some alternative fingerings which give a stonger tone on Bb but I'd ignore them for now.
What some other posters were saying about the fingerings is that if the lower hand isn't covering the holes properly then it might still work on the lower register but not sound properly on the upper notes that have the same fingering with register key added (the one above thumb hole)
I've had a bit of this myself lately as I've upgraded my clarinet and the keys are positioned slightly differently. My clarinet is a Buffet E13 but I had my student Yamaha for over 20 years.
DawnF:
I'm immensley proud with his playing as well. He obviously enjoys the clarinet and he's good at it. He learns the pieces quickly and makes a nice sound. It's very weird seeing him this dedicated as he's normally VERY silly and doesn't work hard, he normally plays something once, and gives up.
I think I'll take your advice and transpose some other music that he'll enjoy and put in lower notes so he'll learn the ledger lines. I gave him the fingering charts so he can experiment himself with the higher notes.
Thanks for your help. :-)
(I might put up some more recordings if you'd like to hear them.)
I'm immensley proud with his playing as well. He obviously enjoys the clarinet and he's good at it. He learns the pieces quickly and makes a nice sound. It's very weird seeing him this dedicated as he's normally VERY silly and doesn't work hard, he normally plays something once, and gives up.
I think I'll take your advice and transpose some other music that he'll enjoy and put in lower notes so he'll learn the ledger lines. I gave him the fingering charts so he can experiment himself with the higher notes.
Thanks for your help. :-)
(I might put up some more recordings if you'd like to hear them.)
You are such a caring big brother. I bet your paretns are really proud of you both. Wish my girls were more like you towards each other.
Hope you get things sorted teacher wise and keep having fun working together.
Nah, my parents are sick of me going on about the clarinet.
I just want to grow up playing music with my brother. I'd love to do little duets, because music is great when you play in a group, and i want him to experience that too.
I just want to grow up playing music with my brother. I'd love to do little duets, because music is great when you play in a group, and i want him to experience that too.
QUOTE(fabnt @ Nov 9 2008, 07:07 PM)
Here is a recording of him playing twinkle twinkle little star with me (Piano). T
It seems you've sorted out the tongueing issue. Sounds good,
Have to say, that recording shows a promising start. All the best for your future musical exploits!
All the best for your future musical exploits!
QUOTE(fabnt @ Nov 9 2008, 10:02 PM)
Nah, my parents are sick of me going on about the clarinet.
I just want to grow up playing music with my brother. I'd love to do little duets, because music is great when you play in a group, and i want him to experience that too.
Well I'm very impressed!!
Good luck to both of you!
Thanks everybody for replying. :-)
Would anyone have any beginner clarinet sheet music that can be found online that explores some of the lower ledger lines? But i don't want to go any higher than B flat (middle line).
I would arrange them myself, but i have to transpose a MUSICAL!! AAAH
and homeworks.
Would anyone have any beginner clarinet sheet music that can be found online that explores some of the lower ledger lines? But i don't want to go any higher than B flat (middle line).
I would arrange them myself, but i have to transpose a MUSICAL!! AAAH
and homeworks.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.