How to Begin to Play the Clarinet

The clarinet plays a role similar to that of the violins in an orchestra. It was also used in Jazz music from the early 1900s up until the Big Band Era. Great satisfaction in the music experience resides in playing the clarinet. Follow these few steps to learn to play the Clarinet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 New Clarinet Reeds
• Chamois Cloth With Weight
• Clarinet Cases
• Clarinet Cork Grease
• Clarinet Reed Cases
• Clarinet Reed Trimmers
• Clarinet Stands
• Clarinets
• Music Stands
• Belwin Band Builder For Clarinet Bb
• Sheet Music
• Straight-backed Chair
• Clarinet Marmalade CD

1. Place the flat part of your moistened reed on the flat side of the clarinet's mouthpiece.

2. Adjust the thin end of the reed so that it does not project above the top of the mouthpiece.

3. Secure the reed to the mouthpiece using the ligature.

4. Roll your lower lip slightly over your lower teeth.

5. Place 1/2 inch of the reed into your mouth, and rest it on your lower lip. Your teeth should touch the top of the mouthpiece.

6. Close and seal the corners of your lips.

7. Make sure both feet are flat on the floor, you have erect posture and the clarinet is at about a 45-degree angle to you.

8. Now try an easy beginning note, which is the second line or open G. You don't need fingers to produce this first sound.

9. Blow a steady stream of air through the mouthpiece, gradually applying pressure against the reed until the reed begins to vibrate and generate this first sound on the clarinet.

10. Produce a steady stream of air when blowing.

11. Maintain the sound for 5 seconds or longer. Keep your cheeks flat. This is important for establishing a good clarinet tone and solid "embouchure."

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a drop cloth with a string and metal weight attached to a small chamois. This is drawn through the instrument to keep it dry.
• Use the best reeds for performances and buy a good reed container. Invest in a reed trimmer, which will extend the life of a reed.
• Talented clarinet students often switch to double-reed instruments such as the oboe, English horn and the bassoon. These have much in common with the clarinet.
• The fingers of a clarinetist are inserted into seven open holes, and a youth's fingers and pads must be long and large enough to cover these tone holes.
• The long, tubular structure and the keys are easily damaged if the clarinet is knocked over when balanced vertically on the flared bell. To avoid this, purchase a clarinet floor-stand with conical doweling rods.
• Use care to avoid bending the bridge keys located at the central connection point.

[MidniteWriter]

on 12/4/2007 Thanks, this covers much of it. I like the tips the others gave. Always make sure your fingers are slightly curved and ready to cover/depress any keys. Getting into good habits when you start will help you later on as the music gets harder and you need to reach notes quickly. Good luck everyone!

[woodwind]

on 7/21/2007 While you are practicing on the clarinet, especially for fast passages, take them very slowly! Work on achieving absolutely beautiful tone and comfort while playing the instrument.

Does the high register sound absolutely awful? Do not dwell on it while you practice! Rather, stay in your comfortable range throughout most your practice, and work high only a few minutes. Eventually, your range will expand and playing those high notes will get easier. You must train yourself to work efficently in the range you can play in.

The greatest compliment a player can get is "the clarinet seems to be a part of you." Note all of the difficulties you have while playing. Does your right thumb hurt while you play? Does your shoulders tense up? Does your wrist hurt? Strive in your practicing to eliminate all of these bad habits, so that playing is not only fun, but it is relaxing, and enjoyable.

[woodwind]

on 7/21/2007 When you begin, it is ideal to open the case out and allow the instrument to "breathe" and get adjusted to the temperature in the area. It is also ideal that after it is warm to the touch (never play on a freezing cold instrument!) that one breathes in warm air into the clarinet to allow it to adjust to the warm temperature of the mouth (just blow some warm air into the instrument, do not strive to play a note).

When you feel that the clarinet is properly adjusted to the temperature, play a low F on the clarinet and work your way up the middle and high register. Strive to maintain an absolutely beautiful tone, and work slowly with a metronome set at a slow tempo marking.

Maintenance- After playing is done, make sure that the clarinet is cleaned with a cloth. Do this every time you put away your instrument to avoid moisture and yucky spit that could cause technical problems later.

[woodwind]

on 7/21/2007 When you begin, it is ideal to open the case out and allow the instrument to "breathe" and get adjusted to the temperature in the area. It is also ideal that after it is warm to the touch (never play on a freezing cold instrument!) that one breathes in warm air into the clarinet to allow it to adjust to the warm temperature of the mouth (just blow some warm air into the instrument, do not strive to play a note).

When you feel that the clarinet is properly adjusted to the temperature, play a low F on the clarinet and work your way up the middle and high register. Strive to maintain an absolutely beautiful tone, and work slowly with a metronome set at a slow tempo marking.

Maintenance- After playing is done, make sure that the clarinet is cleaned with a cloth. Do this every time you put away your instrument to avoid moisture and yucky spit that could cause technical problems later.

on 8/8/2006 The mouthpiece with the narrowest bore will perform better, I agree with this. I think a Vandoren b45 is a good mouthpiece, but there are better. I am currently using the mouthpiece that came with my Buffet R-13 (my baby) and I find it a bit better than my Vandoren.
Ligatures:
I recommend Vandoren ligatures (specifically the leather or cloth one that wraps around with one screw).
The idea is to have a ligature that will hold your reed securely to the mouthpiece, without interfering with the vibration of the reed. If the ligature rattles or can be taken off if you pull it - trash it. Also, place it so that the lower heart of the reed is free to vibrate. This will help your sound.