This is what Clarinet Mentors community members have to say about Michelle's instructional videos and clarinet lessons:
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
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 God send, 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
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 God send, 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
Peter Watts - Largo, Florida
Your videos have been very helpful on a variety of issues. I have also been working on your "scale thing" which is actually fun to play, and I have found it to be very helpful in learning the fingerings on many notes.
Your videos have been very helpful on a variety of issues. I have also been working on your "scale thing" which is actually fun to play, and I have found it to be very helpful in learning the fingerings on many notes.
Mark Crowley - Windsor, CA, USA
One of my favorite lessons is the series on reed adjustment. Michelle's tip on reed placement on the mouthpiece has saved me so much time and also opened up a whole new way for me to make instant adjustments to my sound. "Place the reed higher on the mouthpiece and it plays slightly stiffer, lower, slightly softer. That's given me a quick way to go for a specific tone without having to change reeds. Priceless information for an adult beginner!
One of my favorite lessons is the series on reed adjustment. Michelle's tip on reed placement on the mouthpiece has saved me so much time and also opened up a whole new way for me to make instant adjustments to my sound. "Place the reed higher on the mouthpiece and it plays slightly stiffer, lower, slightly softer. That's given me a quick way to go for a specific tone without having to change reeds. Priceless information for an adult beginner!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Rich Toohey - Cleveland OH, USA
I really like that Michelle always has a number of suggestions to offer to solve problems - and a process for implementation. Of note I use Michelle's alternate high F fingering to check emboucher pressure. Can't be biting! Keep those ideas coming Michelle...
I really like that Michelle always has a number of suggestions to offer to solve problems - and a process for implementation. Of note I use Michelle's alternate high F fingering to check emboucher pressure. Can't be biting! Keep those ideas coming Michelle...
Jim Mercer - HAMILITON, ONTARIO
I have benefited from all the tips that Michelle has offered but if I can pick out a couple that have been of particular value to me, I would say that "Introduction to the harder scales" and tips on "Using a Metronome" were particularly helpful. I look forward to more good tips in the coming year.
I have benefited from all the tips that Michelle has offered but if I can pick out a couple that have been of particular value to me, I would say that "Introduction to the harder scales" and tips on "Using a Metronome" were particularly helpful. I look forward to more good tips in the coming year.
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!!!
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!!!