Leslie's
book, Instant help for Playing and Teaching The Clarinet, has been
so successful he has sold all the hard copies from the first print run -
to enable customers to save money it is now downloadable exclusively as a
P.D.F. document that can be stored and printed out when required either whole
or in the relevant parts that the pupil/teacher requires - thus eliminating
the need to carry the entire book around when just a few pages are needed
to address a specific problem. Acrobat® Reader® is
required to read the document. Details
on how to obtain your copy are at the bottom
of this page.
Download free excerpts from Leslie's book (pdf format)
"This
book presents information in bite-sized snippets, employing a simple but
effective vocabulary which embraces specialist and non-specialist students
and teachers alike.
"Whether you are a specialist or non-specialist teacher, professional or
amateur clarinettist…I firmly believe that you will be impressed by the clarity of the
information."
There are many tutor books on the market whose collective aim is to cater
for all levels of clarinet playing. Some focus on the basics of clarinet
playing whilst others focus on articulation or passage work. The vast majority
of these texts assume that the student has a solid grasp on the fundamentals
of clarinet technique. Having encountered many problems with my clarinet
playing, I bought a range of books in the hope that with each new purchase,
I would be able to articulate faster, or have greater finger co-ordination.
None (until I read Leslie's book recently) have helped in any great measure.
My attention was first drawn to this book in November 2002, when I had a
consultation with Leslie in his studio. At the end of the session, I was
fortunate to be given an extract of this book containing information on embouchure
(incidentally, some extracts are available free at www.lesliecraven.co.uk
- click on downloads). Since then, I have eagerly awaited the arrival of
this book through my letterbox.
The information it contains reflects the vast experience the author has
acquired through his many years as a freelance clarinettist, tutor at the
Royal Welsh Colege of Music and Drama and Principal Clarinet with the Welsh
National Opera.
The aim of this publication is 'to help students of clarinet and in particular,
trainee teachers'. To achieve this goal, the book is divided into three sections:
Section one focuses on the mechanical aspects of the instrument, and looks
at issues such as maintenance, emergency repairs, reed making and adjusting.
Section two helps the reader develop good practice, as well as highlighting
many of the 'bad' habits formed by beginners. Thankfully the author offers
the teacher/student solutions to these problems by means of clear diagrams
and explanations.
Section three critically examines the embouchure, 'blowing' and articulation,
and provides the reader with a vastly detailed yet easily assimilated analysis,
into what happens when we 'blow'.
One potential risk with such a book is that the information could be pitched
at a level where only the intelligensia can understand. Fortunately this
book presents information in bite-sized snippets, employing a simple but
effective vocabulary which embraces specialist and non-specialist students
and teachers alike. There are many colour diagrams used througout as a means
of reinforcing the information, and these act as a simple yet effective accompaniment
to the text which is succinct and often delivered with the author's (in)famous
wit.
Whether you are a specialist or non-specialist teacher, professional or
amateur clarinettist I encourage you to at least check the excerpts on Leslie's
website. I firmly believe that you will be impressed by the clarity of the
information. For those of you that follow up your initial expression of interest
with a purchase, I am sure that this particular text will become an integral
and valued addition to your clarinet literature.
SPECIAL OFFER !! Music@Site
Alistair Logan invented the incredibly useful programme music@site,
a sight reading / aural / theory programme to help with the knotty problems
facing music students in these often neglected areas of exam preparation. (The
C.D. is comprehensive and can be used by most instruments). Fellow clarinettist
Alistair has been generous in offering to help promote Leslie's book with a
special twin purchase offer.
The C.D. normally retails at £15.99p plus p&p
but can be purchased through this site for only £11.50p including p&p
- a
saving of over £5. (See online, secure, paypal
purchase options.)
N.B. The “Twin Purchase” offer on Music@site discs can only be
applied to those people who have bought the book “Instant
Help for Playing and Teaching the Clarinet”. You may buy both the book
@ £12 and Disc @ special offer price of £11.50p but not the
disc alone at the discounted price unless you have previously bought a
book and have either a coupon for Music@site (at back of book) or
proof of purchase.
Leslie reviewed the programme for the CASS magazine and
gave it a glowing report - check it out for yourself by clicking on the music@site
image on the Links page. You can go to the website for the product and download
a trial version before buying.
You can order by simply
sending a cheque to:
Leslie Craven,
4 St Thomas Rd,
Monmouth,
NP255SA
or alternatively send me an
.
Purchase Leslie's book as a download in Portable Document
Format for only £12.00
Click the following button to make a secure credit/debit purchase via
Paypal. You will receive the file as an attachment in your Paypal
email after your purchase. Some people with Hotmail and Yahoo accounts have had problems receiving the files but these issues have been resolved by contacting Leslie. If a problem does occur,
please
and he will send the file directly.
Music@Site Disk - £11.50
Click the button below to purchase the Music@Site cd, which will be posted
to you.
Leslie's
book, Instant help for Playing and Teaching The Clarinet, has been
so successful he has sold all the hard copies from the first print run -
to enable customers to save money it is now downloadable exclusively as a
P.D.F. document that can be stored and printed out when required either whole
or in the relevant parts that the pupil/teacher requires - thus eliminating
the need to carry the entire book around when just a few pages are needed
to address a specific problem. 