Since April, 2020
Imai Music Studio
Imai Music School Piano and Clarinet
Welcome to the website of Imai Music Studio! We are a bilingual Piano and music school centered in the skip shopping street, which is conveniently located from JR Musashi-
sakai Station in Musashino-shi in Tokyo. You can take piano, music theory, and Kinder Music group class in Japanese or English. It is a cozy and friendly music school where students of all ages, levels and nationalities attend from all over in Tokyo.
We are now accepting inquiries and trial lesson bookings via LINE! Add our official account as a friend using the link below. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us through the chat room!
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Clarinet
If you are interested in private clarinet lessons with Ms. Yayoi Sawaki, please inquire through the "Trial Lesson" section. Lessons are available in both Japanese and English!
When you think of a clarinet, the song that comes to mind is "The clarinet my dad gave me ♬(^^♪"
Am I the only one who can think of this from the Showa era? (sweat)
As the song goes, "Packeramado," the clarinet sometimes makes a strange high-pitched sound when playing.
This is because a clarinet has a mouthpiece (the opening where the sound is made) and a reed (a small piece of wood made from reed), and malfunctions in these parts can cause certain sounds to be produced.
As shown in the picture above, the mouthpiece is attached to the barrel, upper joint, lower joint, and bell. The black parts are made of wood, and it produces a very pastoral, warm sound.
In an orchestra, it's never flashy, but it provides support for other instruments, and when it does have a solo, it plays very melancholic and deeply expressive melodies.
On the other hand, in a brass band, they play the main melody!
It has the largest number of members, and without the clarinet, it's not a brass band! (That's an exaggeration, haha...)
Anyway, there are a lot of notes to play, so you have to practice a lot!! Good luck, everyone in the sucking section!!
In ensembles such as woodwind quintets, they support other members, play melodies, and although they are not yet widely known, there are many wonderful pieces they play.
It's not just classical music; there are also pop and jazz pieces (we start with how to assemble the instrument. By taking good care of your instrument, your clarinet will surely produce a beautiful sound! ^^♪
For beginners, start with materials like those by Grusan, focusing on how to produce sound. Then, gradually move on to playing short scales and simple etudes.
I'll choose the learning materials based on our progress. Of course, let's study various songs together! 🎶
I hope we can have fun learning together about how to practice songs and the required pieces for competitions, as members of the brass band club.
Adults will probably have requests like, "I want to play this song!"
Please tell me which song you'd like to play, and let's practice together!
Whether it's classical, pop, or jazz...(^^♪
I hope that the time you spend in our classes will be a joyful part of your daily life.
Yayoi Sawaki
I asked Professor Sawaki a question!
Q. I'd like my child to learn the clarinet, but at what age can they start?
A. Generally, it's for elementary school fourth or fifth graders and up, or as long as your fingers can reach the lowest key when you hold the instrument, it's OK to start at any age.
(Apparently, the instruments have been improved recently, and smaller versions are now available, but I don't own one yet.)
Q. Should I buy a clarinet? How much does a beginner's clarinet cost?
A. It's better to buy one, because as you play it, your own sound will develop.
The cheapest option is around 150,000 yen, but you can get a used one for a bit cheaper.
Q. Why did you start playing the clarinet?
A. I saw and heard the older students playing in the brass band at my elementary school's sports day, and I thought it was so cool and I admired them, so I joined the brass band when I was in fifth grade.
Q. What is the age range of your students?
A. Currently, we have mostly high school students and adults.
Previously, we also had elementary school students.
Q. What is the appeal of the clarinet?
A. Above all, the real joy of playing in an ensemble with other instruments, that feeling of blending together with the other sounds, is what makes playing the clarinet so rewarding!
Another thing is the wonderfully smooth feeling you get when you manage to play the clarinet range, the mid-range, with just the right amount of tone.
Thank you, Professor Sawaki!