-Self-Service!-

From time to time your clarinet may develop minor problems that can be easily fixed between services. We recommend that adults help children to carry out these remedies, as mistakes can prove costly.

Springs

The clarinet mechanism usually relies on a number of steel springs, which are designed to flick the keys back

into the open or closed position after the key has been used. These springs are usually attached to the

mechanism at one end, and simply hooked on to the mechanism at the other end. It is very common for these springs to become unhooked, and it can be a very distressing problem for those who cannot recognise the symptoms. If a spring becomes unhooked, simply use a skinny blunt object to push it back where it belongs - such as the end of the jeweller's screwdriver. Be careful not to bend the spring beyond its regular position, as it may affect the responsiveness of the key.

Sticky Pads

If you have a sticky pad, you can easily remove the stickiness by placing a piece of pad paper under the key, and gently closing it. This gives the paper an opportunity to absorb the stickiness. Release the key and remove the paper, and test to see whether it has worked. If it has not worked, you should try it again with a fresh piece of paper. If this does not work, try powdered pad papers, as they are more effective. In emergency situations, cigarette papers can be used in place of pad papers.

Stiff Joints

If you are having difficulty assembling or disassembling the clarinet, you may need to add some cork grease to the tenons. Firstly, take a clean dry cloth and wipe the joints to remove excess grease and dust. Reassemble the clarinet and see whether this has helped. If not, add some cork grease to the joints (not vaseline) and rub into the cork. If the joints are still very stiff, take the clarinet to a repairer.

-Just for fun...-

Why did Mozart kill his chickens?

Because they always ran around going "Bach! Bach! Bach!"

How many clarinetists does it take to change a lightbulb?

Only one, but he'll go through a whole box of bulbs before he finds just the right one.

Why don't they know where Mozart is buried?

Because he's Haydn!

-Quote of the month-

"There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the

right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself"

Johann Sebastian Bach

-Featured Clarinetist of the Month-
Emma Johnson

Emma Johnson is one of the few clarinettists to have established an international career as a soloist. Emma has performed across Europe, the USA and the Far East, as well as in Africa and Australia.

In 1984 Emma won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition and was a medal winner in the Eurovision Young Musician televised throughout Europe. Later she was to be a winner of the Young Concert Artist Auditions in New York. These competitions launched Emma's musical career whilst she was still at school , but she decided to study Music and English at Cambridge University before embarking full-time on musical life.

Emma has appeared as a soloist with many leading orchestras including the London Symphony, Philharmonia, Halle, Tokyo Philharmonic, Salzburg Camerata and Netherlands Philharmonic. A new development in Emma's career has seen her being invited not only to direct the clarinet, but also to conduct orchestras such as the London Mozart Players and the Royal Philharmonic. The Daily Telegraph wrote in May 2008 "To make a successful career as a solo clarinettist is especially hard, but Emma Johnson has managed it".

We are delighted that Emma has taken some time out from her busy schedule to do a quick interview for our FriendlyFlutes readership!

At what age did you start to play the clarinet?

I was nine years old when I first started to play.

What did you find hardest when you first started playing?

Crossing the break smoothly

What was your first clarinet?

It was a plastic Boosey and Hawkes Regent

If you could give the beginner clarinettist one piece of advice what would it be?

Don't give up! Keep trying.

What is your favourite piece of music for the clarinet?

Brahms Clarinet Quintet

What types of music do you like listening to?

Classical music, especially Schubert and Schumann. Also Jazz, particularly Benny Goodman.

What has been your favourite performance/gig to date?

Playing the Mozart Concerto for Classic FM live at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Thanks Emma!

For more on Emma, visit her website: http://www.emmajohnson.co.uk/

-This Month's Clarinet Highlights-

Below is a selection of clarinet concerts from around the country this month. Inspire or be inspired by professional clarinetists!

25/10/10 Michael Collins, Mozart's genial Kegelstatt Trio and Clarinet Quintet. Wigmore Hall London.
26/10/10 Emma Johnson, John Jill and Julian Lloyd-Webber - music from Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms and Faure. The Bridgewater Hall Manchetser.
28/10/10 Timothy Orpen (clarinet) and Simon Lepper, music from Mozart. St George's Bristol, Bristol.
30/10/10 Emma Johnson and friends, music from Mozart and Schubert. Beaconsfield High School, Beaconsfield.
05/11/10 The Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra and Emma Johnson - Fireworks Concert! St John's, Smith Square, London.
06/11/10 Music to Brighten a November Evening, Jonathan Sage (clarinet) and York Musical Society, York Minster, York
12/11/10 Luca Luciano (clarinet) and Phil Best in an exciting new collaboration, music from Debussy and Luciano. Lauderdale House, London.

*For further information on these events please "google" them*

-October Playlist-

If you can't make it to the concerts you can still be inspired by listening to some of the great clarinetists at home. This months playlist contains three classical and three contemporary pieces featuring the clarinet.

So Low - Jimmy Giuffre
Clarinet Concerto, Op. 57: Allegro Non Troppo - Adagio - Allegro Vivace - Frost
Life In A Glasshouse - Radiohead
Clarinet Quartet: II. Vivacissimo - Frost
I belong to you - Muse
Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano: II. Romance - Murray Khouri/Peter Pettinger

***Listen now using spotify***
Click here to load the FriendlyFlutes Newsletter playlist onto your spotify!

-Music in the news-

All young people should learn an instrument!

This is something we feel very strongly about here at FriendlyFlutes and are pleased to hear that the government share the same view...

All young people should have the chance to learn an instrument, read music and receive top quality music education, Education Secretary Michael Gove said last week. Launching an independent review of music education, led by Darren Henley of Classic FM, Gove said broadening the access and opportunities young people have to experience and understand music is central to raising standards. Research shows that quality music education improves behaviour, attention and concentration, and has a positive affect on numeracy and language skills.

The Government hopes that by giving young people the best possible music education it will achieve its twin aims of driving up standards and reducing the attainment gap. The review will also how to make sure music funding benefits more young people. Michael Gove said it was "a sad fact" that too many children in state schools are denied the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. "It is simply unfair that the joy of musical discovery should be the preserve of those whose parents can afford it," he added. The review is expected to make its recommendations before the end of the year.

-FriendlyFlutes Community-

Join our FriendlyFlutes Forum! Help make it the first online community dedicated to flutes and clarinets in the UK, a place where musicians and their loved ones can share tips and ideas. It is also a great place to ask questions and get advice. Both adults and children are welcome on the forum, which requires a quick, free registration. The forum is fully moderated by ourselves to provide a fun and safe environment.

FriendlyFlutes are also on facebook! Become a fan of us and
keep up to date with the latest news and concerts.

And follow us on twitter...

-Monthly Prize Draw-

This month's lucky winner is Tanya from Stafford! She is now the proud
owner of a pair of Bone China musical mugs - congratulations!

Each month we will be giving away a musical related prize to a lucky member of the FriendlyFlutes Forum. This month's draw will take place on the 19th November and the winner will receive a manuscript design telephone cube!

An archive of all newsletters will be regularly uploaded to our website: www.friendlyflutes.co.uk