How to Hold the Clarinet

For a beginning clarinet player, learning how to hold the instrument properly is essential in developing a good playing technique and tone. Hand positioning and mouth placement are the 2 most important factors in learning how to hold a clarinet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Let your arms and hands fall naturally down to the side of your body. Your hands should naturally form a "C" shape. When holding the clarinet, keep your hands in this relaxed and natural form.

2. Place your left hand on the top of the clarinet and put your right hand on the bottom part. Your index, middle and ring finger of both hands will cover the holes on the clarinet while leaving your pinky fingers available to play the lever keys next to them.

3. Put your right hand thumb underneath the thumb rest at the back of the clarinet. The thumb rest should be positioned at the knuckle on your thumb. This will allow your hands to bear the weight properly.

4. Curve your lower lip over bottom teeth and form mouth into an "O" shape. Wrap mouth around the mouthpiece and close tightly. The placement of the mouth is called the embouchure.

5. Make sure your fingers are hovering over the holes but not pressing them down. This will make it faster and easier to play because your fingers are relaxed and easily moved.

Tips & Warnings

• When you learn a new note, develop the sense of touch and don't look at your fingers while playing. Finger/ear coordination will come naturally if you do this from the beginning. Make sure your fingers are covering the holes with the finger pads and not tips.