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Original poster

Clarinet? Flute? - need some advice on instrument for tween

21 replies

iwantavuvezela · 26/03/2019 09:23

Although I am sure this is going to end -in tears- the way the piano lessons did, (i.e. abandonded) my tween has -now- said that she would like to take up clarinet or flute - i have no expereince of either - so wondered if anyone had any advice on which would suit a first time user?

Just after some general thoughts or advice of anyone whose child plays either of these.

OP posts:

April241 · 26/03/2019 09:25

I played flute for 5 years in school, started as a complete beginner and absolutely loved it. I bought a flute when I left school actually but never kept it up, i keep meaning to go back to it.

Stompythedinosaur · 26/03/2019 09:26

Clarinet is easier to start with (I'm told), but flutes get better parts in orchestras. You don't have to mess about buying boxes of reeds with flutes.

TheFirstOHN · 26/03/2019 09:27

I have a clarinet player and a flute player.
The clarinet took more dedication and persistence.

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Seeline · 26/03/2019 09:29

Flute is easy to get a decent tone out of really quickly. The clarinet can be a bit squeaky for a while.
If she has played recorder at any time, the early stage fingering is very similar on the flute.
The flute is very easy to play in groups etc as it doesn't need transposing - you can just play the notes as written.
If she is small you can get flutes with a curved head joint so the overall instrument is shortened. I was fairly small but started on a full sized instrument at 11.

WellTidy · 26/03/2019 09:29

I’ve just started learning the clarinet as an adult. It is hard! Harder than piano, for me. Reeds are pricey too.

TheFirstOHN · 26/03/2019 09:29

The flute sounded lovely from week one.

The clarinet is louder and would still come out with random squeaks even after several months (not through lack of ability - he got grade 8 with merit after five years).

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 09:32

The clarinet is easy and even starts at grade 5 more or less (as far as I remember), it is that easy to play... then you can very, very easily switch to sax if you want. Practically the same fingerings etc.

The reeds really aren't an issue. Simple to use/get to grips with.

Flute is harder IMO.

I think I got my grade 5 within about a year and then switched to alto sax without even needing a lesson!

As she has an idea already from the piano,, she would find it very satisfying as she would have quick success.

CasparMum · 26/03/2019 10:02

Reeds are expensive for the clarinet and you will go through quite a few, plus, I found that the clarinet pushed my front teeth out and I ended up having to give up and wear braces for a few years.

user1474894224 · 26/03/2019 10:06

I really wanted to play clarinet but my wind teacher tried me on both and for me flute was much easier. Let your daughter try both and see which is more natural for her.

anniehm · 26/03/2019 10:40

Clarinet has the added advantage of being a jazz band instrument as well which might get her to stick with it.

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 26/03/2019 10:42

Flute was much easier for me. Dd2 took up the clarinet a few months ago and I can get a sound out of it other than a squeak!

PurpleCrazyHorse · 26/03/2019 10:53

Clarinet is also in Bflat rather the concert pitch (which a flute is). It means that any piano music is the same pitch as the flute, so can be played with either. You need to transpose for the clarinet to sound the same. Depends what she's likely to want to play.

I played the clarinet and it was tricky to start with, especially the lowest notes. It was fine until I was playing casually with other instruments and then the pitch issue came into play. Ok of the music is available in Bflat, more of a headache if it's not.

Potentially, does school have instruments to hire or borrow? Or would a private music teacher have instruments to loan for a few weeks to see which she prefers?

Scotinoz · 26/03/2019 11:09

I can play both (to a reasonable standard in my youth, but it's barely passable now).

Flute is by far my favourite; easier to get started, lighter to carry, no reeds, doesn't irritate my lip so much, plays in C so I do t have to fart on transposing, doesn't squeak and has some great solos.

BlueSkiesLies · 26/03/2019 12:05

Neither. Oboe is so much cooler.

Original poster

iwantavuvezela · 26/03/2019 12:54

Thank you everyone for all this information - perhaps i need to find a teacher who can give a lesson or two on both and see which she likes, as there seem to be equal reasons to do either!
Really appreciate all of this as very informative ....

OP posts:

FermatsTheorem · 26/03/2019 13:00

Competition for flute places in orchestra is tougher, IME. But I'm a firm believer in letting your child choose - more likely to stick with it that way, so I think your idea of seeing if you can arrange taster lessons on both is a good one.

Headinabook85 · 26/03/2019 13:34

As a flautist, my advice is to get her to look at an oboe....far fewer players so less competition for orchestra places if she progresses enough and is that way inclined.

Easy to also turn hand to Cor Anglais or possibly Basoon.

I spent a youth of music playing frustrated at the competition for places as a flautist and incredibly jealous of those beautiful reedy woodwinds......still wistful now!

IndigoSpritz · 26/03/2019 14:43

There's a saxophone thread on the go just now. Apparently, the fingering for the tenor saxophone and flute are the same so that could be advantageous.

I wanted to play the clarinet when I was in primary school but the bs made me play the violin instead. I hated it and I couldn't read music (Suzuki method) but I stuck it out for five years. Now I'm learning the piano.

Apologies for derailing the thread.

Loveglee · 26/03/2019 15:18

Lol, the clarinet does NOT start at Grade 5, what nonsense. Admittedly Grade 1 is easy, but Grade 2 and 3 get much more difficult.

Also both the alto sax AND tenor sax have a similar fingering to the flute . The clarinet is based on a different system.

Definitely try both - your local music service probably gives taster lessons.

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 16:12

Not my experience Loveglee I eeked my way up the grades with piano and violin, one by one, painfully slowly. Clarinet, straight in at grade 5, it was so easy in comparison. Or perhaps it was 3? But certainly I had 5 within a year. Violin, no chance of ever reaching grade 5

Alto sax was just the same as clarinet. Also relatively easy.

boxlikeamarchhare · 26/03/2019 16:17

Agre with Lovelee, clarinet is not easy pre grade 5, DD plays it and is quite good but works hard, gr 6 within three years, county youth orchestra etc., etc.. but to say it starts at gr 5 is daft.

I play the oboe, diploma level since uni, have played it for nearly forty years.

Look at the Benjamin Britten orchestra app. That was how DD decided on the clarinet at ten when she wanted to stop piano lessons and find something she could play with others.

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