So here the thing. I'm an electric bass player. I've been messing around with the upright bass for a while now, and I'm finally going to get a teacher for it soon. I've also always wanted to play a wind instrument. I've been toying around with the ocarina, but its not really a real instrument, its mostly just that, a toy, so I decided that I also want to learn clarinet. Since I'm just starting to get lessons on the upright bass, I'm not sure my parents would really go for me getting two lessons at once, for whatever reason, so I was wondering this: Since I'm a student in high school, I can rent a clarinet for free from the music department. Should I bother renting one and just trying it out and trying to figure some stuff out myself, or is that a bad idea? Should I wait until I can get a teacher?
ChopLogic, unless you have friends who are experienced in playing clarinet, I would try to find a teacher first.
I had spent about 2 years learing after a 20 year break. I still remembered how to read music, the fingerings and assembling the instrument, but I was unaware at the time that my tounging, embouchure and air support was totally wrong.
When I finally got a teacher, it took me a long time to get over those bad habits, especially biting.
I'd say it depends on your goals. if you want to become a very good clarinet player and play in higher-level ensembles, and don't want to relearn to fix bad habits, you might want to hold out till you get a teacher. But if you just want to play it for the sake of playing, or for fun, go for it!
my recommendation in general would be go for it, from experience. i didnt start lessons untill 5 years after i started clarinet, though i did start in a begining band class in elementary school so i wasnt actually learning myself. i did the switch to bass on my own 3 years before i started lessons. last summer, i taught myself mellophone for marching band with no lessons. so if you have someone you know you can ask if you have questions, i'd say go for it.
I think getting a teacher would be a good idea but just toying around with the clarinet would be fun. Renting for free is great! Renting a bass clarinet for 1 year is like $600
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