Few children of Primary school age play the standard B-flat clarinet and, even then, it is rare to find children under 10 playing it. There is a number of reasons: the standard clarinet is too cumbersome for small hands, expensive to buy and costly to repair. Below 10, and often at that age, progress is painfully slow because the standard clarinet is simply too big to handle easily. Even if all these disadvantages are overcome, the B-flat clarinet (so called because it is pitched in the musical key of B-flat) cannot play from the same music as recorders and songs without having the notes specially transposed for it.

Tailor-made for Primary schools

In contrast, the C Clarinet can be played comfortably by children as young as 7; it is less expensive than standard student clarinets; repair costs are negligible and immediate,and progress is fast.

Lyons clarinets have been designed to withstand rough treatment. An accident that would put a standard clarinet out of action would usually leave the Lyons C Clarinet unscathed or, at worst, needing a quick adjustment to the keys to return it to playing condition.

Children like the Lyons C Clarinet because it sounds 'grown up' and they are keener to practise since they can play music they hear in the world outside. As they progress through the school, they can stay with the Lyons Clarinet or, when they become physically able to handle them, move on to any instrument with a head start.

The music it can play

The range of the Lyons C Clarinet extends down to E below middle C (a semitone below the range of a bass recorder). This adds a new, attractive, deeper tone to Primary school ensembles. All Primary school musical instruments are pitched in the key of C, and so is the Lyons C Clarinet. It can therefore read the music of violins, recorders, glockenspiels and songs straight off the page. If the music goes too high for the child?s range, as might be the case with some advanced recorder music, all the teacher has to do is to write the musical passage out one octave lower. Thus if the original tune contained the notes E F# G then the notes' names are exactly the same. (For your interest, for those notes to sound the same on a B-flat clarinet they would have to be written as F# G# A.)

Are you a Primary school teacher?

Would you consider learning and, later, teaching the Lyons C Clarinet yourself? A basic tutor book and CD are available and there is also ?Teacher?s Guide? to help non-music specialists learn and teach the Lyons C Clarinet. Some top-up lessons from a local clarinet teacher would soon put you on your way

There is absolutely no doubt that the introduction of the Lyons C Clarinet into any Primary school would increase interest in music and, hence, the overall standard of music in the school. If you learned this instrument your pupils and school would benefit and (a useful side effect) so would your future job prospects

Recorders to Clarinets

More children than not have at least had a go at the recorder. Those who show the most progress could move to a Lyons C Clarinet. For a school to buy a stock of, say, 3 or 4 would not break the bank. Once the instruments are in the school quite a few children would be attracted to own them themselves

The sound of a clarinet is attractive to children. It is a ?grown up? instrument used extensively in jazz and orchestral music. You?ll find they are much keener to play and practise Lyons C Clarinets than recorders.

Musical uses of the Lyons C Clarinet in the Primary school ensemble

• Play the tune solo or unison with voices (thus supporting the vocal line

• Double the tune one octave lower than the recorders

• Play parts written for violins, flutes, or voices

• Provide harmony to the tune (the tone of a group of clarinets is particular suitable for this

• Play a bass line (the lowest note is E below middle C)

The school concert

Primary school orchestras have a preponderance of high-pitched instruments - recorders, smaller-sized violins and squeaky voices!. Four or five clarinets in the school music ensemble would add a smooth, attractive, deeper sound to concerts and so increase the pleasure of both participants and audience.

If you have any particular queries concerning the Lyons C Clarinet's use in Primary schools please email us, we will be happy to answer your questions.