Clarinet Now BlogThe Clarinet Now Blog keeps you up-to-date with Clarinet-Now.com postings and news. Practicing, clarinet fundamentals, famous clarinet players and other odds and ends fuel Clarinet-Now's energy... Opperman Student Tributes by Hartmann and EbertBelow are links for comments from two of Kalmen Opperman's model clarinet students. When I studied with Mr. Opperman and had the awesome experience of witnessing the end of lessons of Mr. Steve Hartmann or Mr. Adam Ebert, it was a lesson itself. They already had decades of lessons and experience with Mr. Opperman when I met them. Please read these words of: Steve Hartmann - Principal Clarinet: New York City Ballet, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Opera Orchestra of New York, New York Scandia Symphony; Associate Principal Clarinet: New York City Opera; Second Clarinet: Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; and substitute and extra player in the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, and the Orchestra of St. Lukes.
Adam Ebert - Assistant Principal clarinetist: The United States Army Band, "Pershings Own", Ft. Myer, VA; Principal Clarinet: The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in Fairfax, VA; formerly a member of the Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn; Philharmonic and performer on three RCA Recordings with The Kalmen Opperman Clarinet Choir and Richard Stoltzman.
What should you take from the words of these two gentleman? Never stop learning!!! Find the best clarinetist in your area of the country and take lessons from them. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner, amateur, advanced college or conservatory player, or professional. Also, if you live in the New York City or Ft. Myer, VA area, do some homework to look up Mr. Hartmann or Mr. Ebert. Take lessons!!! Are you ready to start practicing?
Next Practice ChartOkay, if you started using the 15-week Clarinet-Now.com Practice Chart on 1 JAN 2010, you would print out your third chart today to chart your practice habits for the next 15-weeks. See this free pdf chart here: Go to this next link if you have no idea what a practice chart is and how to use it. I have two versions, but I like to use the 15-week practice chart to keep up with my hours. Have a great time practicing clarinet. Best, Chris
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Next Practice Chart" ClarinetFest 2010Top picks to hear if you are attending ClarinetFest 2010 in Austin, Texas on July 21-25, 2010. Permalink -- click for full blog post "ClarinetFest 2010" Register Key Does Not Work???I play clarinet in a 50 person band and really want to be good. I practice at school everyday. Band-Camp is coming up and my register key will NOT work. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Register Key Does Not Work???" Coppell Section LeaderIs it possible to get group rates for the clarinet shoes? FROM CLARINET-NOW.COM Hello Phoebe, I just checked with Zazzle.com. With each extra Permalink -- click for full blog post "Coppell Section Leader" Jazz Clarinetist of the YearJazz Clarinetist of the Year nominated and selected by the Jazz Journalists Association. The 2010 winner is clarinetist Anat Cohen. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Jazz Clarinetist of the Year" jazz clarinetist Anat CohenJazz Clarinetist Anat Cohen has won the Jazz Clarinetist of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Permalink -- click for full blog post "jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen" Clarinet Embouchure issues (Saxophone)And I have been playing the clarinet since 6th grade. I started taking lessons in 8th grade and now I am 17. I still take lessons, and I guess I'm pretty Permalink -- click for full blog post "Clarinet Embouchure issues (Saxophone)" Clarinet Thumb PainI played quite seriously in high school--and just took it up again last year. I'd been doing o.k. with two hour rehearsals and some practice, but now...My Permalink -- click for full blog post "Clarinet Thumb Pain" Just a correctionSchumann Phantasiestucke, Op. 37 probably should read: op. 73, no? love your list :) From Clarinet-Now.com Thanks Anonymous, I appreciate the Permalink -- click for full blog post "Just a correction" My lips can't cope!Hello, All your clarinet embouchure tips were really useful, thank you! But I have a problem that can't seem to be sorted out by any of these tips. I've Permalink -- click for full blog post "My lips can't cope!" Clarinetist on ConductingClarinetist on Conducting is a result of a clinic Dr. Mallory Thompson gave and includes her tips as well as more thoughts from the clarinetist "conductor consumer." Permalink -- click for full blog post "Clarinetist on Conducting" Help with Clarinet SoundI have only had my clarinet about 5 months and don't know anything about music. I need some help to clarify what sound it should make if I blow it properly Permalink -- click for full blog post "Help with Clarinet Sound" Practice and HopePractice and hope - discover the power of practice and develop your musical discipline. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Practice and Hope" Clarinet Mike article 'Practice Tips A to Z'I have to say, searching on the net for clarinet information is both fun and frustrating. Following, however, is a real gem of a website. Dr. Michael Dean's website, www.clarinetmike.com has really nice resources for young and old musicians.
If you are a clarinetist in Missouri, he is a great resource for you through this website and as a professor at Southeast Missouri State University. His tips on practicing and learning scales will really help you especially if you are trying out for Missouri All-State (but the tips will work for anyone in any state or country improve your scales). However, my favorite article of Dr. Dean is Practice Tips A to Z. Twenty six tips on each letter of the alphabet all are good ones to follow. Among my favorites are: Taking breaks while practicing, going slow at first, look for patterns, make music, listen to recordings, variety of practice, and work hard parts first. Try to introduce a few of these tips every day for a while. If you try them all at once, it might drive you crazy. Start developing good practice habits and enjoy the reward of well-thought out practice. My addition: PRACTICE CONSISTANTLY! Mouthpiece for JazzHello, Can you recommend a mouthpiece for Jazz Clarinet? I have R13, thank you. Chan From Clarinet-Now.com Hello Chan, I did some searching Permalink -- click for full blog post "Mouthpiece for Jazz " Clarinet Stamps
Check these out, Clarinet U.S. Postage Stamps. Search the site, numerous clarinet related items available. Click through the image. Best. Chris Clarinet-Now.com Clarinet Notes E-NewsletterDon't forget to sign-up for the Clarinet Notes E-Newsletter at the link below. Going to rehearse with the pianist tonight and had a great rehearsal with the percussionists this afternoon. Counting today, five days til recital.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Clarinet-Now.com Clarinet Notes E-Newsletter " Concerts this APRIL 16, 17 and 18 PRIMAL CLARINETThis weekend going to be busy. 16 APR 2010, I'm playing the Weber First Concerto with Dr. Ruthanne Schempf on the Potluck Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. at the Cornwall Presbyterian Chruch, 222 Hudson Street, Cornwall on Hudson, NY, suggested donation is $8.00. The concert is entitled Beethoven & Co. and I unfortunately do not know what else is on the program. ON 17 APR 2010: WEST POINT BAND CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL PRIMAL CLARINET West Point, New York Sergeant Major Christopher Jones will present a diverse recital of music for clarinet. The program will include works by Paul Hindemith, Walter Hartley, John Mackey, Philip Parker and others. Sergeant Major Jones will be joined by Ruthanne Schempf on piano and several members of the West Point Band on various brass and percussion instruments. The recital is free and open to the public on Saturday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m. in the West Point Band's home, Egner Hall, 685 Hardee Place, West Point, New York, 10996. The gritty, raw emotion of German romanticism and modern drums will be performed on Primal Clarinet, by clarinetist Sgt. Major Christopher Jones, pianist Ruthanne Schempf and members of the West Point Band. Romantic opera composer Carl Maria von Weber wrote his Clarinet Concerto #1, Op. 73, for Heinrich Barmann in 1811. Soulful melodies with passionate, virtuosic passages make this one of the top all-time concertos for clarinet. German composer Paul Hindemith wrote the Sonate for clarinet and piano in 1939 while he was living in Hungary. Stressed relations with the Nazi party eventually led to his move to the U.S. in 1940. Like the Weber, the Hindemith Sonate presents a wide variety of emotions, especially reminiscent of the turbulent time period. The Parker Five Bagatelles and Hartley Two Dances were both written in the 1980s and present a lighter mood than the previous works. However, they provide that primal urge to tap your foot. John Mackey's Damn, for amplified clarinet and four percussion, is one of the most exciting new, short clarinet works available. Written in 1998, it was used by the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team for competition. Also performing on this recital is trumpeter Sgt. 1st Class Eric Miller and percussionists Sgt. 1st Class Rone Sparrow and Staff Sgts David Bergman, Nathan Eby and Eric Garcia. For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band's 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit www.westpoint.edu/band.
ON 18 APR 2010, I'm playing the West Point Band's Young Artist Competition Winners Concert at Ike Ballroom, 3 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public. Of special note, my wife, Nicole, teaches one of the competition winners. Audrey Zybura from Washingtonville H.S. will perform the Mozart Concerto No. 2 in D Major. Also on the program is Grainger's Lincolnshire Posy, probably my favorite band piece of all time. Hope to see you at one of these events. Best Chris Richard Muhlfeld, inspiration to BrahmsClarinetist and Composer Collaborate Johannes Brahms decided in 1890 at age 57 he would give up composing. Upon hearing Richard Muhlfeld, principal clarinetist of the Meiningen Court Orchestra, Brahms was inspired in 1891 to compose the Trio in A Minor, Opus 114, for piano, cello, and clarinet; then the Clarinet Quintet, Opus 115. In 1894, Brahms composed the two Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 120, No. 1 and 2. In Vienna January of 1895, Muhlfeld and Brahms collaborated in the premiere performance of the sonatas and performed the works many times after that. Brahms so admired Muhlfeld's musicianship that he gave him the performance rights and fees for the sonatas. These monumental works became the cornerstone for clarinet chamber music. When you perform on clarinet, never forget your influence on those listening and where in might lead. Remember, you can customize this t-shirt. Numerous colors and at least 60 different types of t-shirts. Brahms is on the back. Have fun and own a piece of clarinet history
Kal Opperman QuoteKal Opperman quote: "The first thing you have to do is if you're on the clarinet for instance, very important, always play your best! From the first note when you pick up the clarinet, always play your best. Try using your best reed so it sounds good, get used to a good sound and stay with it and identify it as your sound, otherwise your nobody, nothing. And the most important thing is, be honest to yourself, that's primary. Without that, you're not going to get anywhere, not going to build anything. Sure we practice the clarinet, but, in the process you're developing you! That's what we're doing. When you work hard and seriously and honestly, when you're on the clarinet, it's just you and the horn, nobody else, and if it isn't that way you're not going anywhere, you'll never make it, that's where it has to be."
Think of this: His generation and the generation of clarinet teachers he learned from Ralph McLane, Simeon Bellison, etc. They didn't have webpages, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, email, Finale, cell phones, Ipods, Ipads, etc. In their spare time and in their productive time, they spent it on CLARINET. Practicing, writing for clarinet, practicing, making reeds, practicing, trying mouthpieces, practicing, learning clarinet repair, etc. Think of this the next time you practice. I'm thinking of it now as I type. Practice. Practicing the clarinet. Performing on the clarinet. It is truly special. Don't take it for granted. Think of playing the instrument in your hands. Not how you stack up to those around you. Not waiting on a text from your friend. How do you stack up to the clarinet in your hands? That is my challenge. The challenge of the clarinet in my hands. The clarinet, the instrument, has unlimited potential. Are you helping that instrument reach it? Best of luck. Mr. Opperman's latest books: Elementary Velocity Studies Intermediate Velocity Studies Advanced Velocity Studies Virtuose Velocity Studies Clarinet shoesFinally, Clarinet Shoes for Men. Multi-colors available for women. Designs for Kids Keds, too. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Clarinet shoes" Hearing a World-Class Talent live
You love clarinet, but do you only seek out clarinet music? If you hear of a world-class talent coming to town, no matter what instrument they play, you SHOULD go hear them perform. In this case, Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the NY Philharmonic, is performing the John Mackey composition Harvest: Trombone Concerto with the West Point Band. I heard it last week and have to say he must be the top trombone player in the world. So, if you live near West Chester University in Pennsylvania, the concert is held at Asplundh Concert Hall on 12 MAR, 7:30 p.m. at the CBDNA conference. The concert is FREE and open to the public. What can a clarinetist learn from THIS trombonist? Clean release or start of tone on the instrument, wide dynamic range with a full-focused sound in every range, rhythmic precision, projection and subtlety at the same time. And more, breathing, stage presence, etc., all the things you learn by being in the same room with a master talent. Just for your information, the Mackey Concerto ROCKS! So does Mr. Alessi and the West Point Band. Also on the program, Barber's overture for The School for Scandal, Verdi's Triumphal March from Aida, Points of Departure by Etezady, and Bernstein's symphonic dances from West Side Story. Met John Mackey today
Today, I met John Mackey, composer of some really interesting and exciting music these days. I'm performing his work entitled Damn for amplified clarinet and four percussion in April. Can't wait. This work was used by the U.S. Synchronized Swim Team during the 1998 Olympics. Hold on, this is a fun one. Hear the work and view the score on the following link. clarinet mp325 Free clarinet mp3 downloads here. Permalink -- click for full blog post "clarinet mp3" Student from the Québec provinceHello, and how are you! I have written to you before and got an excellent answer from you. I have an excellent teacher since the Feb 2010. One lesson Permalink -- click for full blog post "Student from the Québec province" Best Clarinet Sheet MusicRead lists of the Best Clarinet Sheet Music: Clarinet Concertos, Sonatas, Unaccompanied and Jazz. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Best Clarinet Sheet Music" Listen to ClarinetListen to clarinet. How listening to the clarinet will help you improve your playing. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Listen to Clarinet" Clarinet Tuning ChartImprove your musicianship by filling out this Clarinet Tuning Chart. Know your tuning tendencies. This chart is free for you to print and use. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Clarinet Tuning Chart" Practice ChartThe Practice Chart helps you log your practice minutes and hours. Print these charts for free and use as an improvement tool on clarinet or any instrument. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Practice Chart"
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