What I Wish I Knew in My 1st Year of Playing Clarinet

[@ianjohnson4987]

Elderly ex sax player here. All good advice and very helpful. Thank you.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! If you haven't seen this video about coming to clarinet from saxophone, it might be helpful too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJvQiqVnrNVkY7ssi=4uJJgTr4TbmfeCcJ

[@stephenfutch3327]

I agree with all of Beth’s comments (4 months in, having a blast!!) I would add one more thing: consider a synthetic reed. I have been using legere 3.0 Euro for about 4 days now….I am stunned at how much easier the mouth part has become. All caveats for a beginner inserted here, but, if you want to quit fighting and guessing about reeds, consider giving it a try. I have no plans to go back. Thanks for all of your efforts Josh, always helpful.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

That’s awesome that you are enjoying it! The Legere recommendation is a pretty good idea!

[@beth7467]

The Euro reed is great! I use it for outdoor performances. I find it to be a little more fragile (for me) than other Legere reeds, but I love the tone I get. Glad you're having fun!

[@PinacoladaMatthew]

I once was introduced to a clarinet teacher by my band director; in our first (and only) lesson, he spent 40 mins talking to me about posture, hands, air, etc...until he actually played; and the moment he did (with his air-tonguing or whatever, but something was not right in his mouth), I just said :"thanks." and left with 10 mins still remaining.....(i was young)

[@QuickStartClarinet]

You would think with all of the explanation the playing would have been good. That's too bad!

[@SuzannesVault]

Really found useful your tips for the different stages that you wish you knew at the time. They are perfect seques to your other in depth lessons. YES, to more, when you have the time.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad you liked it! I got ambitious and recorded several, so I think there will be more coming in the next weeks!

[@rayphenicie7344]

Found this helpful, I spent so much time chasing down the wrong paths. Wasted time, failed to achieve goals. Some practice materials and method books for beginners, intermediae and advanced players as well.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

It is really easy to do that! Remember that what you work on doesn’t matter so much as long as you keep the fundamentals of good sound, finger motion, and tongue motion in mind. Also, my book The Next Generation Clarinet Method is a great resource to have a clear self-guided path ;-)

[@beth7467]

As an adult learner, here are my first-year tips: 1) A good beginner mouthpiece makes a huge difference; 2) a good teacher makes a huge difference; don't be afraid to switch teachers if the one you have isn't a good fit; 3) You're going to sound awful for a long time, so don't get distressed about it; 4) Figure out a practice routine from the very start and practice consistently. Tip number 3 is a huge one to remember: It takes a long time to get good at anything, so learn to be okay with the crappiness along the way. Thanks for this video, Josh!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I love it! Along with a good mouthpiece a mouthpiece patch is also a great idea to get more comfortable with the teeth being on the mouthpiece too. I also agree with having realistic expectations and being comfortable with sounding bad, but don’t let that be a crutch or excuse to go for sounding great. Yes of course a beginner isn’t going to be playing great songs, but I think with good instruction and a good setup just about anybody can make one note sound pretty decent on their first day. So yes, don’t stress about sounding like Benny Goodman when you start, but it is never too early to start going for a great sound on one note or a simple long tone exercise.

[@beth7467]

@@QuickStartClarinet Well, my experience certainly wasn't making a good sound on the first day, or even during the first few months. I had a hard time finding my embouchure, the mouthpiece that came with my clarinet was crap, and my first teacher didn't seem to have the wherewithal to help me get better. Once I researched on my own and bought a better mouthpiece (Fobes Debut) I had a much easier time of it. // My point is that adults expect to be good at a new thing right out of the gate, and that is simply unrealistic. (See the Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule.) You need to play through the crap to get to the good stuff; as an adult learner of many things, I know this to be true. // This is not to say that you can't enjoy yourself being mediocre; just check your expectations at the door -- and practice, practice, practice!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yes, absolutely! You just have to find that line where your expectations are high enough that you improve but not so high you are discouraged. In your case, if you were really ok with sounding awful for a long time you may have never looked for a better mouthpiece or a better teacher. It will definitely take a while to get to the good stuff, but as general advice for everybody, don't give up on or lose sight of that good stuff you are aiming for! Just know it will take a while and the path to getting there is sounding as good as you can on the simple stuff/fundamentals.

[@super06141996]

In my second and third year my dad wouldn't buy me reeds, so I often used them until they were no Bueno

[@QuickStartClarinet]

That is no bueno!

[@PinacoladaMatthew]

..................................... I still swap my clarinet whole, mouthpiece and all (B40 13)

[@QuickStartClarinet]

It's an easy mistake to make!