No one ever masters the clarinet, you just elevate the arena of your problems. That's part of the fun.

We all have humble beginnings! I have to say it was really not bad! Good tone and in tune for 5th grade!

As a clarinet player.... *I can relate.*

I would love to listen to you revisit this on bass clarinet

I’ve been playing the clarinet for almost 7 years now. I love this instrument and I’m so glad I chose it over some other instruments. I’m getting my first bass in a month and I’m super excited for it. I remember when I first started - I sounded absolutely awful and for the first 4-5 years I felt like I was never going to improve or get better but I just kept pushing, trying, and I continued to practice. I learned more techniques and I eventually got better. I’ll be going to Juliard here in a few years and I can’t believe how far I’ve come as a musician.

this actually really helped I'm glad that you made this. I was just scrolling through KZread and then saw you had uploaded this and thought "hey I'll watch it. Maybe it will make me actually feel better." And in the long run it actually changed how I look at practicing and playing difficult things. Thanks so much!!

but your tone was already really nice

I am an adult learner and attempting this piece right now. I appreciate this video is a few years old but I really am glad I stumbled across it today. Thank you for putting it out there that we all start somewhere.

I was laughing so hard at 5th grade mike playing the clarinet lmao

Thank you for the reality check Michael!

I love your videos, you always seem to know what to make a video on that helps me and thousands of other clarinetists out. Thank you for the great advice!

For a concert competition in my state I got 2nd chair for bass clarinet and I've only played for about a year now. I am a Junior high kid, and I was the only bass clarinet in my entire school. That means I had no one to learn from but myself and about 6 months of playing the clarinet. I assure you that you get better. Just play every day and don't give up! I am still learning myself, I am not the best, but you can do it! Have faith and you can do it!!

@Lxnorius

2 жыл бұрын

OMG!! I'm in the EXACT same situation, minus the concert competition. I'm the only bass clarinet in my entire school, and had about 6 months of clarinet experience.

we all know this point when we think we just fucked up. but years later we find us stronger and better than ever before.

Oh. And my friend who is a retired jazz clarinetist gave me a 1958 LaBlanc. I cleaned it up. 💃🏻🎼🎵🎵

Beautiful Just the way it should be I’m amazed you have a recording of it to begin with Beautiful. Love it

This is honestly an invaluable video. I wish there were more videos like this on KZread because this is so inspiring and has such an amazing message.

I appreciate this and all your videos. I get discouraged a lot and have revisited this video a number of times. Each time this video helps, since I first watched it, I've learned to circular breath, double tongue, and play much harder pieces. I appreciate the prospect of this video, it makes me realize that the future always holds progress.

I just did all region and got 3rd place in my room!

@earspasm

7 жыл бұрын

Bada bing!

@demit189

7 жыл бұрын

Earspasm Music yup!

@demit189

7 жыл бұрын

Bigalow45 i am first chair top band

Thank you for this! I recently completed a Master's audition, and just like you said - although it was uncomfortable, did it ever challenge me to become a better musician. I really appreciate hearing someone successful voice their own experience on the struggles of improving...

i was just thinking about this earlier today, i thought to myself "i cant get much better than this can i?" and this video was exactly what i needed (and it almost brings tears to my eyes if im being completely honest). thank you for your pep talk!!

Thank you so much for this video! I’m trying to teach my 9 year old clarinet basics before she starts band in the fall, she tends to get very discouraged no matter how supportive I’ve been and this video helped her a lot. I really appreciate this and all of your videos. Thank you!

Thanks for keeping the video camera on while while we listen to your early recording...love your facial expressions!

I love this so much. I'm 41 and recently picked up my clarinet I've had since 5th grade. The Entertainer is one song I am currently working on. I sound a tad better than you did in 5th grade. I love this instrument and feel blessed that I stuck with it in school so I have a good base to work off of. I want to get better and I am practicing often because I enjoy it. Thank you for your videos. You're a great resource.

Yep. That time of year is now for me. I didnt get into all state this year while I did last year and it's the same level. I'm trying to convert the depression (if you'd call it that) to anger, to hard work to get better next year

You are absolutely right about by challenging yourself you get better. I noticed that I got A LOT better after I auditioned for district band and I had to learn the solo that was really hard. And after district band auditions I had already gotten used to practicing a lot and I've been practicing every day since then. I've played a bunch of other hard pieces and have gotten so much better in the past few months than I have in the past few years. Your pep talk was so amazing and inspirational.

Great advice!

I really needed this. This is my first time going to All-County Auditions and my piece is a Grade 5. I'm havin trouble with some parts but as of seeing this video, Imma push myself to learn this piece (Pastorale and Bouree for Tenor Sax) and make that audition!

Thanks. I needed that. 54-year-old me just started playing clarinet last month and I'm already whining about how badly I suck -- forgetting that I'm freakin' brand new on the instrument. Any other adult beginners out there? How are you staying motivated and preventing the negative voices in your head?

@debcoon508

3 жыл бұрын

It’s a journey.

This is brilliant!

Oh I have played the exact same piece (The Entertainer) in front of a bunch of people and I also sucked so hard I could have cried in that moment, but at the next day I told myself to practise a lot more. And so I played that piece over and over again and it just was so much fun! My love for the clarinet just increased up to 1000 % :D

Thanks. I just looked up I suck at clarinet because I do. This helped.

I don’t care how late I am, Thanks Mike You inspire me to do great things :) Thank you

I made all-state on Texas going 6A on bass clarinet, I played clarinet for my first five years then on my sophomore year I switched to bass and actually started practicing even if I sounded bad I knew I would get better, I'm currently a senior in one of the two high schools with the most all-staters in texas besides flowermound who we tied with

That was cool! I'm just starting clarinet aged 50 but you sound better aged 9 than I do now! Squeaks. Oh yea I get squeaks. But then there are days when it all works out right. The Entertainer. I might go try that...

My Region chair/ All-State placement audition is Wednesday. This was definitely a stress reliever. 😂

You are one brave soul

Thank you man, this video helped me out

Yea today today I sounded so bad on clarinet and I sounded worse yesterday and I usually sound pretty good but we all have those days where we sound bad and then good

you motivated me to practice my Baermann 6ths and 7ths....if i have bad dreams i will let you know😆😆😆

that was great, mate.

Thanks coach

everyone here made to all state and i didnt even make it to region ;-;

@seanplayscl

7 жыл бұрын

+non existent Your username fits quite well for your comment

@cloudkittenn7954

7 жыл бұрын

non existent it's okay, these thing are really hard to do and it takes practice. I made region but I had to practice one on one with my teacher for 2 months, nearly every single day. They are tough to make but you can do it. I bet next year you can mate regions!!

@moonbean169

6 жыл бұрын

hehehe me make region this year ... 3rd clarinet though :(

@faeriesmak

3 жыл бұрын

Hey! I never did either. And I never made it to state on a solo. You know what, though? I went to college for music and I worked really hard and by the time I was a senior I made honors recital. We all play differently and we all play at different levels. As long as you keep playing and you love it..then you are successful.

I remember the old days when it was hard to play 3 finger C or any low note. Nowadays I'm more comfortable playing above the break.

I think I have the same book you were using. It was my moms in school.

Good intonation.

Would love to hear you play that same music today.

It was the 6th grade, the middle of June. I was a trumpet player. I tried playing Entry of the Gladiators. Guess how that went.

I was playing frosty the snowman in year 5. Jeez I was bad.

I can relate soooo much when i listen to me playing in 5th grade lol!

for the christmas concert i wanted to play the bass clarinet, after a week in i asked my teacher to have something more difficult, novelette. i can't get the good sound down on the bass clarinet yet, and i get so frustrated when i hear someone on youtube playing. My teacher wants me to do the solo, but i feel like i will never get the sound down and im so passionate about it, i take the bass home all the time to play..

im in first chair in my band class its only a school band but im still proud, i go to SCPA in ohio

My freshman year, i went to all district try outs and I thought i had did very badly my try out. I messed up on my chromatic multiple times, but that's the only thing. I felt awful that i did so bad on my tryout but i ended up getting first chair and i was like whattt. I was so happy and proud of myself :) but i felt like i didn't deserve it honestly.

@seanplayscl

7 жыл бұрын

Was it on bass clarinet? This year for all-county I was the only one who auditioned. The only one.

@symbioticelectricity8853

7 жыл бұрын

XenoPhoenix No, i play the clarinet :p

@seanplayscl

7 жыл бұрын

Well then cool : )

@symbioticelectricity8853

7 жыл бұрын

The allstate results also just came in, and i made it :) im so happy

@cloudkittenn7954

7 жыл бұрын

Symbiotic Electricity My band teacher really wanted my class to try out for regional so we did. I thought I did horrid on my chromatics and etude but I made second chair. It was very tough though, I'm proud.

I just made it into the Florida All-State Middle School Band. Thanks for your advice!

@substitoad7069

7 жыл бұрын

Josiah Hall congratulations but realize your music is very easy in comparison

@seanplayscl

7 жыл бұрын

What school do you go to and what instrument do you play? I'm in that band for bass clarinet and I'm from OCSA : )

@Swuidward_

7 жыл бұрын

XenoPhoenix I go to Lockhart Middle School in Orlando

@Swuidward_

7 жыл бұрын

And I also play Bass Clarinet

@seanplayscl

7 жыл бұрын

Well cool. I hope I'm a higher chair than you are though.

hello, i am currently a student base clarinet player in band, after the maintenance of my base clarinet, my conductor bought me new box of reeds which is vandoren v21 reed and also a new mouthpiece set. i was using a vandoren traditional(purple box) and ya.... after i changed from traditional 3and a half to v21 3.5, i felt that traditional was more easy to blow and have a better bass. v21 required more force on my mouth to create sound and also have small volume of sound for my case. i tried all reeds in the box but they were all in the same shape. So if you have ever used this reed. i wish to get some pieces of advice from you and also your opinion about that v21 reed. It will even be great if you make a video to review the v21 reed. thanks.(also. my face turns red when i play high notes. is that means i am playing in the wrong way?)

$200 was close to the price of Selmer VI in the early fifties!

Thank you. I am an adult learning. Older than you. 9 years old in 1976 I was 18 😜

Hi! I play the clarinet since when i was eight years old.. and in my band the conductor propose me to pass at the Bass Clarinet, i always was third part.. in future i hope to do the first part.. I need your opinion, i can play both? Bass clarinet and first part Bb? PS: Sorry for my English.. xD

I also did a winter performance in 5th grade and I sucked lol

first chair region eb clarinet!!!!

Hey, I'm a bari sax player (technically a general saxophonist as I double on other saxes) switching to bass clarinet, I got the hang of it pretty quickly, but my clarinet only goes to an Eb, is that good or bad? Because some other players own their instruments and I've heard they can go to a low c? Should I eventually invest in a low c clarinet or does it not matter?

@santiagoblaumann6557

7 жыл бұрын

The_Great_Benzoni unless you plan to go professionally, or play seriously, it shouldn't matter. However, if you need it, go for it.

@AmericanGirlGymnasts

6 жыл бұрын

I have played on a low E flat bass clarinet since 5th grade, if you are paying in a school or Rec band then I think you should be fine, in my opinion there is nothing wrong with it. But if you are playing professionally I would really recommend a low C

Who else is checking back in to this video because of quarantine 😂😢

hi, so, i played my bass clarinet yesterday and everything was totally fine and now i need to send in scales tonight and my upper register isn't working?? i can get out a high G and then nothing lower than that until the B flat before crossing the break. uhhh... what went wrong since yesterday?? please help!!

I've been playing clarinet for three years and just got put on bass clarinet. This wouldn't be bad if it wasn't a concert band, where the smallest rhythm I get to play are crotchets.

@earspasm

7 жыл бұрын

Bass clarinet band music puts the "crotch" in "crotchets."

you have better rhythm as a fifth grader than i do now lolololol

When do I know when I need to go up in reed size? I'm currently using a size 3 and 1/2 .

@demit189

7 жыл бұрын

If you play bass clarinet stick with 2 1/2 or 3. If you play regular clarinet thats fine.

@heyjoe1581

7 жыл бұрын

usuallly who makes mouthpieces writes on the box what's the ideal reed strength, however if you squeak often and your pitch sucks you may consider change reed size. However it's hard to tell without hearing you

@earspasm

7 жыл бұрын

Does the reed close off when you play high notes? Then it's too soft. Do you have to use very little muscle in your embouchure to create a sound? Then it's too soft. Do you sound like a vacuum cleaner? It might be too hard...or it might be too soft :)

Is possible that you still know the name of the piece? I like the way it sounds, and I wouldn't mind to find a copy to play on my free time.

@earspasm

7 жыл бұрын

It's called "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin

that’s what i sound like now and i’m a junior PFF

my heart couldn't handle the cringe ( being a fellow clarinet player)

I can’t change high notes fast enough and my band is already so good and I suck

@randomchannelyoufound9067

5 жыл бұрын

They are playing songs that a university has played and we are still in 7th grade

@randomchannelyoufound9067

5 жыл бұрын

I think am not going to band next year

Random question Michael, but are those SEE'S glasses?

@earspasm

7 жыл бұрын

eyebobs.

Dam that's diesent to me when You where in fifth grade

I just learned I got first chair all-county and all-state on bass clarinet. Then I looked at my first concert(Here's one of the songs: kzread.info/dash/bejne/po6ImpSxfpaaZ5s.html ) and it feels so weird.

@substitoad7069

7 жыл бұрын

XenoPhoenix it is middle school level correct? The music is so easy and intonation in the clarinets is terrible

@seanplayscl

7 жыл бұрын

For all-state? My technical was in 6/8 at 120 tempo. The link was of 6th grade. All of us had been playing our instruments for 1 or 2 months

@alansun697

7 жыл бұрын

+XenoPhoenix Congrats

That’s actually pretty good for fifth grade.

ha scrubs. i played aria and menuetto by mozart in fifth. ik this is like a year ago but u guys will get better eventually.

$hit

YOU'RE 51?

@earspasm

4 жыл бұрын

Why, do I look older or younger?

@ruler255

4 жыл бұрын

Earspasm Music did the math

I'm sorry but I cringed

@permeablebat4592

7 жыл бұрын

I used to be a bad clarinet player now I'm in 2nd chair and moving into bass clarinet

@masond2432

6 жыл бұрын

PermeableBat 45 how's that going for you? its been a long time lmao