I bought a clarinet Sunday, and after an hour or so of playing, I recorded this song. Comments would be greatly appreciated, because I don't have lessons on clarinet and really don't know if I'm doing it right or not. http://youtube.com/watch?v=WzQM_S6uKNA
While you're there, if you want to see how well I play saxophone, please go to my channel: youtube.com/jazziesax
Music is my life and this is what I want to get far with. That's why I would like comments on every instrument I play.
Hi Tabitha! I listened to your recording of "Amazing Grace" and thought I'd give you some pointers. After only the first hour of practicing you have developed a rather good tone quality on the clarinet. Kudos! However, there were a few things I heard that can be fixed with more practice. You seemed very timid before tonguing your first note and it came off as a "stutter" before your actual entrance. Beware of that. Just because a piece is soft doesn't mean that you should cheat the clarinet by not filling it with air. Using more air and support helps improve intonation and overall tone quality. Don't be timid with the lower notes especially from low E to C. As a fellow sax/clarinet doubler I feel I must say something of your vibrato. Although I believe that vibrato is a preference and choice of the musician, I think that you should take time to build your clarinet embouchure before you start adding "ornamentation". Vibrato seems to be a way of life with sax (believe me, I've had my share of it!), but you must come to understand the two instruments separately. Keep practicing them both. You have really gotten off to a good start and I think that with more practice and patience you will be able to be an excellent clarinetist! If you have any questions, you can just send me a message or post them on the forum.
-Toni
P.S.- I did listen to your sax recording also and will add a critique later on.
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