How to Warm Up on the Clarinet

An important part of playing the clarinet, as with all musical instruments, is practice. Always begin your practice time by warming up. A good warm-up will improve your playing and help with fingering and embouchure.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Begin with proper posture. Sit up straight.

2. Focus on your embouchure. Embouchure refers to the facial muscles around the mouth and the way the mouth holds the mouthpiece. Proper embouchure produces good sound.

3. Play long tones. Hold each note for four beats. Play a series of long tones for 5 to 10 minutes. Take full breaths through your mouth.

4. Practice slurring your notes together. Then tongue between each note. Try for regularity in your articulation. Focus on increasing the speed and on the quality of your sound.

5. Run through chromatic, major and minor scales every day. The scales help your fingers warm up and are a great way for beginners to learn their notes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a metronome to help you keep an even beat.