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.