How to warm up on the clarinet

As with all musical instruments; warming up on the clarinet is an integral part of getting in sync with your instrument. Your music will flow better and your range will be spot on.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Hold your clarinet correctly. Place thumb rest in crook of first joint at the base of your nail, curve your fingers gently. Left hand thumb should be at a 45 degree angle to the length of the clarinet. Your upper body should be sitting straight up.

2. Keep your mind calm and relaxed and ready to focus only on your practice. Your body should feel relaxed and the room's temperature should be warm.

3. Make your fingers and tongue ready for the warm-up session. Your breathing should be controlled and relaxed. Your tongue must know what your fingers are doing, and vice versa. Your breathing is just as important.

4. Practice scales, arpeggios, sheet music, music you know by heart--anything to warm-up and play. Keep playing for at least 15 minutes.

5. When your fingers are hitting the correct notes and covering the correct holes without you having to think about it too much; then you are done with your warm-up for that day.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to stay as stress free as possible prior to warming up or performing.
• <br>Practice deep breathing before a warm-up or performance to center yourself.