Home School Clarinet Program
Student Eligibility
Although this program relies heavily on private instruction, the group element is essential to success. For years, I have turned away young home schooled students because there was no immediate possibility of a group playing situation. This program was founded to solve that problem and make the needed experiences available to all.
There must be at least 3 students to make a group. No more than 6 can be accomodated.
Criteria for Selection:
Aged 10 or older - These are adult instruments, and our kindermusic content is very low. Students entering this program should be mature enough to engage in regular practice and enter an apprenticeship with the instructor. They should also be mature enough to properly care for their instruments.
Fingers large enough to cover the holes - We need to have a preliminary meeting to test for this. I strongly recommend that the Buffet B-12 student clarinet be used for this program. It is an excellent quality instrument, and its tone holes are smaller than those in some competing models. I own one myself, and will use it to test your child prior to any startup or payment.
Not double-jointed in the thumbs - One essential requirement for successful clarinet playing is that the right thumb have the ability to put upward pressure on the instrument. People with double jointed thumbs often have difficulties both with thumb pressure and with hand position. While this can be corrected by the use of a neckstrap, it might be just as advisable to look at playing another instrument. Any double-jointed students who are accepted will be required to use an appropriate neckstrap as a condition of that acceptance. (probably the BG system)
Free of sectarian, political, ethnic or other prohibitions on what music they can play. I generally avoid music of questionable lyrical content, or that carries excessive negative baggage. Blanket prohibitions on Wagner, Disney, Santa Claus or The Beatles are impractical and contrary to the work ethic that I'm trying to instill. Types of music that you should know I sometimes use:
Music of religious origin and/or content
Music considered patriotic by Americans or other nationalities
Holiday music of a secular nature
Songs from Movies, Theatre and TV shows
Popular music styles including jazz, rock, soul, and country
Folk and ethnic music
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