I signed up for Michelle´s Clarinet Is Easy Course because, after 20 years of being absent from the clarinet, I took it up again, relying completely on my memory. While I did okay on my own, I knew there were subtle errors in my technique that I simply couldn´t identify. The Clarinet Is Easy course took me back to the basics, the building blocks of successful clarinet playing. Michelle´s explanations are well-articulated and thorough, as well as entertaining. My favorite video is the Lizard Brain Video! :) She clearly loves her horn and is excited to share her passion with others. I was lucky enough to have a Skype lesson with Michelle and I have to say that she is as delightful in person as she is in her pre-recorded lesson videos. I played a passage for her and she quickly identified an error with my embouchure that was having a negative effect on my tone. She patiently gave me tips to improve other areas of my playing and spent more than the allotted time with me, which showed me that she truly is dedicated to helping others. The Clarinet Is Easy course is great for beginners, as well as more advanced players looking to brush up on the basics. I wouldn´t hesitate to sign up for a follow-up course! Thanks Michelle!
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Jim Robb - Scotland
I would just like to say that I really enjoyed your 10 week clarinet course "Clarinet Is Easy".
I learned so much in such a short space of time compared to following a tutor book. The way you presented the videos in a clear and concise way made it easy to understand what you were trying to convey and get across to me the pupil. Your presentation was friendly and accurate and I almost got the impression that you were enjoying the lesson as much as the student was. Although I am a beginner, I did appreciate that some of the lessons were more advanced than I could cope with after 10 weeks, but then it was just a case of visiting your web site and playing catch up. I am glad you took this approach because I feel that I got even more value for money as some of the materials could do for Intermediate level.
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for a brilliant 10 week course and I can't wait on your next course coming out. ________________________________________
Rhonda Sager - Wisconsin
As a 40-something adult beginner, I find Michelle's videos to be an excellent instructional tool. I at first tried to learn clarinet using a book with little success. Once I learned the proper embouchure technique, the tone of my notes were dramatically improved. Prior to these lessons, I was unable to make a sound at all above the break, a term Michelle explains in lesson 5. I watch each lesson several times and always learn something new. I was skeptical that a video lesson could be so effective, but I am very happy with the Clarinet is Easy course. Michelle is a wonderful instructor and I couldn't be more pleased with the course. _____________________________________
David Mann - Brooklyn, NY
With no musical experience since elementary school, I have been diligently working on the clarinet for the past year and a half (now age 67). My teachers have been Clarinet for Dummies, Play Clarinet Today! The Art of Clarinet Playing (Keith Stein) and a smattering of YouTube. 3 months ago I bravely began a weekly Brooklyn Conservatory of Music course called Level One Classical Music Theory and Ear Training with a wonderful teacher and 3 classmates. I am very fortunate indeed to have found Clarinet is Easy! Now I have studied - and accompanied you on my first two Lessons. Keith Stein repeatedly stresses the need to have good habits from the very beginning. I have experienced all the frustrations (and more) you mention. It is wonderful to go back to the beginning for me now and relearn in such a methodical and incremental way. My playing has already much improved (very evident to my flute-accomplished wife) and my frustrations have lessened. Your course excels in clarity, repetition of teaching points, selection/design of exercises. All of the above are evident in your Mentor lesson on Left Thumb and Hand Placement which is a wonderful use of my time and which I will now work with for the next two weeks as you prescribe (while trying, trying, trying to remember to protrude my belly when I breath in. Thank you so much!
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Carole - From Paris France
Hello to Michelle and everybody. A big thank you to Michelle for such beautiful explanations concerning hard passages and how to control the fingers, because that is exactly what it is. This wonderful method allowed me to play at the correct speed and without errors, a sixteenth note passage of a piece of Carl Maria von Weber, we play in two weeks with our nice and gentle “Clarinets' group!." This is the first time I succeed. Great, and please go on with your gorgeous videos.
- Carole_________________________________
Barre' Beacock - Peterborough, Ontario,Canada
This picture is our first public concert...The Christmas concert Dec.2011.Three months before, most of us hadn't played an instrument or were able to read music.
Finding Clarinet Mentors was a Godsend. Michelle has taught me through her videos, how to form my embouchure, how to place the reed on the mouthpiece for better sound, fast fingering exercises and getting into the high octave. Now, one year later I have just played the second Christmas concert which, due to Michelle's help, sounded sooooo much better and easier. Thank you Michelle for sharing your expertise and giving so much of your time.
In the photograph I am sitting in the first row dead centre playing clarinet. - Barre' Beacock
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Harry Weiss - U.S.A., State of New Jersey
I cannot thank Clarinet Mentors enough for posting valuable clarinet know how in the website. As a newbie to clarinets all the videos have been invaluable learning tools. I look forward to more information as I become more and more experienced with the clarinet and music.
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Bob Plank - Wales originally, now American
I am teaching myself to play, and without Michelle's videos, I might still be making very slow progress. After watching her presentation regarding reed selection and positioning, I discovered that the mouthpiece on my student clarinet was not particularly suitable, and my reeds were too soft. The videos were very clear. I purchased a new mouthpiece, and went up a few notches on reed number, and instantly got the results I wanted. You saved me, (and my neighbours), hours of pain and frustration. Thanks Michelle.
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Hayley Linfield - Ontario, Canada
I was so pleased to discover Michelle and Clarinet Mentors. I had played the bass clarinet in high school but when I was asked to play clarinet in a community band, I had really never had any lessons for this much more difficult instrument. (Sorry Bass Clarinettists!) I was getting by just avoiding really fast runs and notes in the altissimo register, but it got to the point where I realized I really needed some expertise. I came across the lesson on high notes in the altissimo register and overnight, my playing improved dramatically. I no longer avoid those notes over high C. I also found Michelle's technique for improving fingerings of difficult passages extremely helpful. She has great advice and relays that advice in easy to understand language. I'm jealous of her students out in BC. Thank you Michelle!
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Denis Savard - Saint-Sauveur QC
Best practical and technical advice since undertaking to learn to play the clarinet as an adult. My tone has improved 10-fold. High notes are much easier to attain. I've improved my air stream, tonguing, rhythm and much more since subscribing to her video lessons! Thanks a million!!!
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