Dear clarinetist from DL, I play the alto recorder. Not by any means a musician, not even an amateur one - my playing could best be described as amateur-ish. I still would like to try the clarinet, for its beautiful sound. I realize I will never play so that it sounds beautiful, but could I at least have fun? How long does it take to master the mouthpiece? The keys?
Does anyone play the clarinet?
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | August 11, 2019 2:12 AM |
I love a piano
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | August 10, 2019 5:16 PM |
FFS
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | August 10, 2019 5:18 PM |
It seems very retro, OP, but good for you. You can teach yourself. The mouthpiece with reed technique might take a few days to get used to and master. The keys are easy, just need to learn the correct way to hold the clarinet.
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | August 10, 2019 5:21 PM |
I’d say 3 months of solid daily practice and professional instruction will have you able to play a tune, if you can already read. You definitely need to make sure you’re practicing long tones and breathe support. Nobody likes a squeaky queen.
And when you get sick of practicing, thats when your long term goals will motivate you. Are you trying to play in an orchestra, a local concert band, or a jazz ensemble? The concert band will by far be the easiest to participate in, but the repertoire will kind of plateau at 9th-10th grade level, and you might get sick of the repetition, e.g. holiday concerts.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | August 10, 2019 5:28 PM |
Speaking of long term goals and motivation, playing a reed instrument is supposed to make you great at blow jobs. (Not that you're not great already--you're on DL, after all--but it will make you even better).
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | August 11, 2019 1:43 AM |
I can, but haven't in years. I had piano and clarinet lessons as a child. I prefer to play piano.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | August 11, 2019 2:12 AM |