Friday, January 11, 2008

Two Books to Recommend

I've got two books for you aspiring clarinet players out there. These are both books that I use in my own teaching. Of course, I did not discover them on my own. I noticed that Bob Listokin used them at one point or another, so I took a look at them.

"A Tune a Day for Clarinet" by C. Paul Herfurth and Hugh M. Stuart

This one is great for starting students out from the very beginning. Although it takes a bit long to get into the upper register, it approaches musical concepts in a very clear way. The tunes are fantastic as well. Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Christmas carols, and others are all represented. Right now, I have an 8 year playing out of this book. I'm able to let her approach new lessons (and new notes, fingerings, and rhythms) without having to explain it all first. She's able come in the next week having learned much of the material herself. It's great for teaching her how to teach herself.


"60 Rambles for Clarinet" by Leon Lester

These are short (40ish measures long) etudes with a clear emphasis on learning to play lyrically. There's not a lot of quick technical work, but each piece focuses on one particular issue: triplets/duplets, staccato, changing keys, etc. I've found that most students who can play from the lowest E to the C above the staff can get quite a bit from these. Not every etude need be played, but there's alot of good and interesting material. (Beware: The titles of the etudes are frequently pure cheez whiz.)

There, I've done my musically useful deed for the day.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Rollin rollin rollin...keep those ewoks rollin



I'm back at it...teaching, playing, being a curmudgeon. Today I started teaching in a new place. A national financial establishment has teamed with an arts funding group to allow teachers like me to go into an inner-city school here in Boston. Today was my first day and I have about 18 students. So far, they seem about par for the course in sheer energy (read: decibel level), but quite musically competent. I'm happy that I get to be a part of this particular combination of talent, organization, money, and deserving kids. (Of course, I won't be naming any of the groups involved as I'm not their shill or wanting to be on their bad side for any reason.)

Regarding my big ole' winter break: It was great. I scampered off to North Carolina, played with the rascal in the first picture and my family. Near the end of my stay, I and another lovely young musician wandered over the site of the second photo, where we had a brunch that left me overstuffed and unable to eat for the remainder of the day.

So, the picture quality stinks, I know. I need to remember that my camera phone is really a phone with a sorta-okay camera glued to it. Next time I'll take my handy-dandy super-neato camera with me.

I'm very tired and happy that I don't have to wake up early tomorrow. Yay. I can get some practice in before I start teaching, I hope.