Friday, October 27, 2017

HS & MS Concert Make-Ups

You must have a parent contact me to verify that this is an excused absence. Any concert absence not cleared by parents will be considered an unexcused absence, which results in automatic F for that quarter. Note that because this is an academic class, extracurricular events (including sports and work) are not considered a valid excuse.

Then, pick one of the below projects to do in place of your concert grade:

Project Option 1: Write concert notes on any 3 of the songs, clear them with the teacher, the teacher will read them aloud at the concert as part of their speaking (if a last-minute emergency, write the notes about the next upcoming concert)
  • Include biographical information about composers
  • Include connections between each song and the overall concert theme
  • Include commentary on the specific song and its meaning and/or style

Project Option 2: Design two unique posters for the concert, clear them with the teacher, print them, post them around school and town (if a last-minute emergency, make the posters for the next upcoming concert)

  • Include the basic when, where, who, what
  • Use a variety of fonts and sizes to emphasize important information
  • Use a color scheme and pictures that work well together to make cohesive artwork

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

How to Be a Better Clarinet Player


  1. Warm up before you practice or rehearse.
    1. Long tones: Whole notes at quarter note equals 40. Start in the low range and work your way up. Take measure-long breaks when needed to rest your embouchure. Focus on good embouchure (bottom lip curled over teeth, chin down and flat, corners pulled in slightly) and air support (posture, deep breaths, abdominal control, relaxed neck).
    2. Slurred 12ths: Start on low E, crescendo from pp to ff over the course of four beats, with quarter note equalling 40. Once you reach ff, add the register key and begin your decrescendo from ff to pp. Continue to focus on embouchure and air support
    3. Scales: Chromatic scale, as much of it as you know and can play. Major scales, starting at a comfortable tempo and working your way up to 16th notes at quarter note equals 88. Continue to focus on good embouchure and air support, but also fluid, even motion of fingers.
    4. Tonguing: Starting on Middle C, play repeated 16th notes, beginning at quarter note equals 60, and working your way up as far as possible while maintaining control. Using the C Major scale, play a 5-note scale, up and down, using the same tempo(s). Continue to focus on good embouchure, air support, and even finger motion, but also clean articulation with the tip of the tongue lightly touching the tip of the reed.
  2. Experiments to try:
    1. Play a “long” C and play the clarinet in a wide arc in front of you (from very low to very high). If you listen closely you will hear where it sounds the best. Always hold the clarinet at that angle.
    2. Try playing and saying “ee” versus “ah.” Notice the difference in tone, especially in the upper register and the throat tones. When playing clarinet, you need to keep the “ee” position for the best tone.

HS Lesson Expectations


It is the student’s responsibility to ask for permission from the affected teachers and to make up any work necessary. Please do not schedule a lesson during a test or other event that is difficult to miss. It is the student’s responsibility to remember to attend their lesson. Each student must attend 1 lesson every 3 weeks.