Full Version: What Is The Key Skill For Clarinet
What is the most important skill to master with the clarinet, is it the embouchere? Is it something else? What is the examiner looking for in an exam? What is it really a test of?
Its a test of various things
Technical ability
Intonation
Interprative qualities
Stamina?
Position (moreso for string/keyboard players I imagine)
Sense of pulse
Expressive abilities
Technical ability
Intonation
Interprative qualities
Stamina?
Position (moreso for string/keyboard players I imagine)
Sense of pulse
Expressive abilities
Clarinet is the same as any other instrument - the key skill is patience!
Once you've mastered that, concentrate on breathing and embouchure. To tackle IL's list...
Technical ability - as with all instruments, this will come with practice.
Intonation - again, it comes with practice. There are a few notes which are notoriously out of tune, and top professionals still have to stop and think about it.
Interpretative qualities - see notes on technical ability.
Stamina - yes, you do need stamina, but this will build up. After one lesson I wouldn't expect you to be able to play for 90 minutes non-stop. 25 years after my first lesson I still have a maximum length of time for which I can play.
Position - I assume IL means posture? This does need to be correct from the start, as it will impede your breathing otherwise. Make sure you're sitting (or better still, standing) upright, no slouching, and holding the clarinet at an angle of about 45 degrees.
Sense of pulse - as with all instruments, this will come with practice, but learn to love your metronome now - it'll pay dividends in the future!
Expressive abilities - see notes on technical ability above. Never any harm in trying to incorporate some expression right from the first page of A Tune A Day though!
Examiners are looking for virtually the same skills irrespective of the instrument.
Once you've mastered that, concentrate on breathing and embouchure. To tackle IL's list...
Technical ability - as with all instruments, this will come with practice.
Intonation - again, it comes with practice. There are a few notes which are notoriously out of tune, and top professionals still have to stop and think about it.
Interpretative qualities - see notes on technical ability.
Stamina - yes, you do need stamina, but this will build up. After one lesson I wouldn't expect you to be able to play for 90 minutes non-stop. 25 years after my first lesson I still have a maximum length of time for which I can play.
Position - I assume IL means posture? This does need to be correct from the start, as it will impede your breathing otherwise. Make sure you're sitting (or better still, standing) upright, no slouching, and holding the clarinet at an angle of about 45 degrees.
Sense of pulse - as with all instruments, this will come with practice, but learn to love your metronome now - it'll pay dividends in the future!
Expressive abilities - see notes on technical ability above. Never any harm in trying to incorporate some expression right from the first page of A Tune A Day though!
Examiners are looking for virtually the same skills irrespective of the instrument.
QUOTE(Deborah @ Jan 19 2006, 05:40 PM) 
Position - I assume IL means posture?
That's the word
There is no single most important thing.
But in the exam, AB use generalist examiners, ie may not be a clarinettist, and if it is it will be co-incidence. So they won't mark technique, but the musical impression you give. That applies to pieces, sight reading, scales, aurals.
Obviously good technique will contribute to this, but it's not marked in itself.
But in the exam, AB use generalist examiners, ie may not be a clarinettist, and if it is it will be co-incidence. So they won't mark technique, but the musical impression you give. That applies to pieces, sight reading, scales, aurals.
Obviously good technique will contribute to this, but it's not marked in itself.
QUOTE(neil.clarinet @ Jan 19 2006, 07:02 PM)
But in the exam, AB use generalist examiners, ie may not be a clarinettist, and if it is it will be co-incidence. So they won't mark technique, but the musical impression you give. That applies to pieces, sight reading, scales, aurals.
Obviously good technique will contribute to this, but it's not marked in itself.
Neil,
Is this true? Is an ABRSM examiner allowed to judge an exam even if he/she doesn't play that instrument?
I didn't know this. Though I can understand why.
Steve
Steve, yes it is. Have a look at this thread. Christine also provided a link to the relevant article in the website from the exam team.
Some boards have specialists (but only category, so it could be a flautist/oboist etc.) but AB think generalist is the best way.
Some boards have specialists (but only category, so it could be a flautist/oboist etc.) but AB think generalist is the best way.
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