Greetings all:

In my youth I played Clarinet and was quite successful. And of course, I had a great time with it too.

Now I`ve passed it on to my daughter (9 years old) who has just begun to learn to play. I had my trusty old clarinet overhauled and handed it to her with fond memories and warm feelings.

Now here`s the problem. My daughter claims its VERY hard to blow through. Even her music teaher has told her it shouldn`t be as hard as it is. My daughter is nine, and visibly shakes when attempting to play....her face even turns red.

Its been so long for me now, I don`t remember if I had this problem or not when I first started. I hate to tell her too bad, but I hate to try and replace it if its not broke.

Please help with your opinions!!!

Thanks in advance.

Have you looked at the mouthpiece and reeds? If you had been playing a while, you may have a more advanced mouthpiece and possibly purchased reeds that are too hard. If you think it might be the reeds, try to shave them down around the middle V shape. Her instructor should know how to do it if you don`t.

if i were u i would get her number 2 of 2 1/2 reeds

She`s using a 1.5 reed....that`s good, right?

Again, I haven`t played in about 14 years so I don`t remember everything.

Give her a No1,5 or No1 reed. it will help.

also she must try to play open notes at the beginning. She must not play by sitting...sitting down forces the diaframe of her. She must play standing on food for a year...

When I started I was about nine years old also but I remember I had to start with a really low reed. It was .5 reed which is hard to find but I had to use it because I had trouble getting the air through. If the 1.5 reed is not working try to get a lower reed.

just if you want to know, clarinet reeds are supposedly harder to play the lower number they are but sound better. And reeds that are higher like 4 or 5 (tops) are easier to play but don`t sound as good. I would sugges trying a
2 1\2 reed.
Hope that helps.