Jaenaya recently spent time with us at the Library, completing work experience as part of her Year 11 studies. Turns out she is a total muso – she has played the clarinet since she was nine. She tells us a bit more about why she loves it:

My name is Jaenaya and I attended a week of work experience at the Tea Tree Gully Library for Year 11. I chose to go to the library because of my love for quiet spaces and books. But another thing that I like is music.

So, because it is one of my favourite things, I have decided to write about the clarinet and just my general experience with music.

When I first discovered the clarinet, at about 9 years old, I barely knew what a clarinet was. It may even be the same for you right now. I began lessons partly because my mum was like “Yeah, clarinets are lovely” and because I was 9 and easily persuadable. But it certainly was a good choice! (Thanks mum). One thing that may be confusing to some people is the difference between the clarinet and the oboe. I understand, because they look so similar, but I’m here to tell you that there is a difference.

An oboe (pictured left above) sounds like a goose, and a clarinet (pictured right above) doesn’t (well, I don’t think it does). There is also a bass clarinet, also known as an Eb (E flat) clarinet. I play a Bb (B flat) clarinet, which is smaller and has a slightly higher pitch than the Eb clarinet.

A clarinet, like some other well-known instruments, uses a reed. A reed is basically a thin piece of wood that is fixed onto the mouthpiece. When you blow, it vibrates and creates the sound.

As for my general experience with music, I can play three instruments, one of them being the clarinet. I believe that learning a musical instrument is a very valuable skill. Studies have shown that people who can read sheet music and learn to play instruments have good memory. This is understandable, as reading sheet music consists of linking many things together in your head and eventually figuring out where to put your fingers.  I must say that there are difficulties without a doubt, but learning an instrument is really rewarding. Especially when after practising and practising, you are finally able to flawlessly play a song.

So, I hope I have taught you something about the clarinet. I hope I’ll be able to play in an orchestra one day. I would have to take a great step out of my comfort zone to do that…

But my work experience here at the Tea Tree Gully Library has told me that good things can come of performing daunting tasks! So thank you to all the staff at the library. I now feel just that bit more prepared for the real world.