Daughter starting band... on flute or clarinet

tvknight415 · Veteran Member Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 132 Location: WI

So good news/bad newd:

The good? Daughter is going to join band and will be picking out her instrument next week.

The bad? Trumpet isn’t on her short list

So, with that, I’ll likely be shopping shortly. And I know jack about either. We are thinking about perhaps a (very short term) lease to make sure she likes it, then buying her a decent used student model. Any advice on brands for either? Things to watch out for?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

trumpetteacher1 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 9:24 pm Post subject:

Tell her that she can't choose trumpet because she is just a girl.

If she agrees with you, then flute or clarinet it is.

If she gets very irritated, there may be hope yet.

Jeff

ljazztrm · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 9:51 pm Post subject:

Hey! That's a good idea! And show her some YTs of Ingrid Jensen!
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LittleRusty · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 9:59 pm Post subject:

david johnson · Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 1:19 am Post subject:

lol, my condolences. seriously, get her a flute with a solid silver head joint. better tone and easier response for most players. many also prefer the open hole models. get her a jeweler's screw driver set and teach her to adjust the flute herself.

THE BD · Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 4:59 am Post subject:

Nothing wrong with flute, I would be happy she wants to play music!

Encourage her choice and remember, she can always start trumpet later!
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tvknight415 · Veteran Member Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 132 Location: WI

For the “girl Instruments”/trumpet - I’m not going to try and force her into trumpet. If she wants flute, she can play flute. I am happy that she wants to make music; how she makes it is less important. Only real advantage is that dad can help her a little bit, and she doesn’t need to rent.

Although it might be funny to send her on day one with a flugelhorn, just to see people’s reactions.

THE BD · Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 6:42 am Post subject:

You can still help a lot! Breathing technique is still just as important, and reading music/music theory is still the same!

Get yourself a C trumpet and play duets!

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kehaulani · Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 7:38 am Post subject:

Flute's an absolute gas. I have known two other players as well as myself, who switched to flute and became absolutely fanatical about it.

One player, a long time university professor, was a trumpet role model for me in H.S. He also played in the Northwestern U. Jazz Band. I was surprised to find out, recently, that he had switched to flute, playing unceasingly. I, myself, switched at first to flute and played it every day. Loved it.

(p.s. if you're interested I will sell you a like-new Azumi flute (Altus head joint) I bought new and it actually, because of health reasons, got very little playing. Killer horn. PM me if interested. http://www.azumiflutes.com/)
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trumpetteacher1 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 9:29 am Post subject:

mafields627 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 9:52 am Post subject:

Good advice so far on flute. I've taught middle & high school band for the past twelve years and this is what I prefer to see (when I can convince parents that Mendini is junk):

Flute - Get open hole with plugs. Once a good tone is established, start removing one plug at a time. Ask your local repair tech which ones are easiest to adjust. Jupiters have fewer adjustment screws. Spend time on just the headjoint producing a Concert A.

Clarinet - Start with a plastic model, if the band director allows, and a Fobes Debut mouthpiece with Rovner Dark ligature. If she takes to the instrument and continues into high school keep the plastic one for marching and get a nice wooden instrument for concert band. At some point, look into upgrading to a Vandoren mouthpiece.

Like trumpet, Yamaha is always a safe bet. Many of the traditional American brands offer good models too (Gemeinhardt, Selmer, Leblanc, Armstrong).
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david johnson · Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 1:40 am Post subject:

mafields627: several years ago I a few students on a Fobes 4. is that still around? I mostly started clarinets on the vandoren b45 or cheaper artley a45 copy mouthpieces. They always worked well.

mafields627 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 4:15 am Post subject:

Brad361 · Posted: Sun May 06, 2018 1:54 pm Post subject:

I would be glad she is interested in playing anything, nothing whatsoever wrong with flute or clarinet. I used to double on flute (albeit nothing spectacular by a long shot), I thought it was a fun instrument, which can be very versatile also.

Brad
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Jerry · Posted: Sun May 06, 2018 3:56 pm Post subject:

Isn't tonguing on the flute similar to tonguing on the trumpet? Encourage flute over clarinet so she has an easier time switching to trumpet once she sees the light.

bamajazzlady · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 691

Is she enthused about either instrument? If she digs flute introduce her to

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFzungWH0cCb8ncKupIL7og

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB_EUmyxUF8

for clarinet introduce her to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlcOloDQaFE
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