Hi im Paul. im originally from Newcastle but now live in Darlington. I have played drums for about 15 years (with a 7 year break in there). Recently i bought a b flat clarinet because i love the sound. So i read up on a few web sites about how to get a note out of it. So i got that nice warm tone after a few tries with a few squeaks thrown in. Now i have had it for 5 nights and can pretty much play a clear C, D and E. And a few other notes that i couldn’t identify.
I have just started to learn how to read although some of the symbols are familiar. I don’t play the piano but im also practicing some stuff on the daughter’s keyboard.
Ok so i called up a local clarinet teacher and she's going to give me 30mins for £12. She was nice on the phone and instantly seemed to understand what i was after so we'll see how that goes as i got my first lesson next week.
So the question is how much time do i need to be spending playing the clarinet and how should I learn to sight-read? On the clarinet? Keyboard or both?

Anyone recommend a book given my experience level?

Any info would be great thanks.

Cheers

Paul

Hey Paul. I'm glad that you want to sight read at an early stage because I regret not doing the same. What you can do is get a good book, probably a beggeners. I'm sure the lessons teacher can help with that. I wouldn't start sight reading thought until you can play from G to C.

-J-

Thanks J,

Does anyone know a good site where it points out where all the notes are on a b flat clarinet?

Also does anyone know a cure for Charles Mingus addiction?

Paul

Finding the notes on your clarinet is much easier with an At-a-Glance card. It shows you the fingering for every note on the instrument (including alternatives) together with their corresponding position on the musical stave. All on one small card. Brilliant. Just Google the words Kevin Mayhew Rattlesden and you'll find their website.
Charles Mingus addiction is incurable. Be grateful.
Happy playing.

Cheers guys i found some stuff here:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.clarinet-sales.com/images/clarinet-fingering-chart.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.clarinet-sales.com/fingering-chart.shtml&h=1222&w=594&sz=49&hl=en&start=34&tbnid=-rUNFgD1M6LH9M:&tbnh=150&tbnw=73&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclarinet%2Bfingering%2Bchart%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-US%26sa%3DN

Will let you know how i get on cheers.

Paul