Interactive Clarinet Teacher

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Interactive Clarinet Teacher

• A Guide Through the Fundamentals of the Clarinet
  and Clarinet Performance.
• By Jordan Pasternak

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List of Objectives

• Important aspects of playing any instrument
• Airflow
• Embouchure
• Technique
• Equipment
• Reeds
• Essential Repertoire
• Best places to buy equipment and music
• Q A

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Starting an Instrument Why Play the Clarinet?

• To become good at an instrument you have to
  first have an understanding of music as a form of
  expression.
• The most important part of being successful in
  playing an instrument is to feel completely
  relaxed and natural, as if the instrument were an
  extension of your body.
• The instrument should be a tool for your
  musical expression, and an extension of your
  musical voice. . .

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Range

• The clarinet has a wide range, as shown below.
  To achieve full continuity in all ranges, the
  airflow, embouchure, and fingers all have to work
  together.

Click to learn more about the clarinet range and
harmonics, and even history!!!
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The Essence of a Wind Instrument Airflow

• Before learning any technique, a student should
  learn how to produce a sound using his or her
  airflow.
• Long tones and control of ones air is essential
  when playing a wind instrument.
• Start by trying to produce a sound with just the
  mouthpiece and see how long you could hold the
  note, as well as how steady you could hold the
  pitch.

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Airflow Continued the breath
Good wind playing starts with strong breath
support. We all hear about breathing with your
diaphragm, but what does that mean? For strong
breath support, we must use our breath with
utmost efficiency. Try breathing in with an oh
sound instead of an ah. This will push the
belly out and expand the ribs. The ah sound
will facilitate the wrong type of inhale, lifting
the chest and shoulders. Practice breathing with
this technique, making as little sound as
possible, and protruding the belly as far out as
you can. See how long you can exhale for!!
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Embouchure The Complete Control of Ones Airflow

• Developing a good embouchure is essential to
  becoming a fine clarinetist.
• There are different schools of embouchure the
  only thing that is clear is that the embouchure
  is the tool in which a beautiful tone is
  produced.

Click embouchure illustration for a great article
about embouchure!!!
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Embouchure Continued Essential Ideas
Rule of thumb there is no correct way to play
the clarinet. There is a correct way for you as
an individual, and what works best for you!!!
Standard embouchure Key phrases to think
about Chin pulled down, corners of the mouth
pulled out and away from each other, bottom lip
curled around mouthpiece, top lip also curled
around mouthpiece. Important beginners should go
for producing a sound, and having fun with music
rather than worrying about such strict technique.
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Technique The Fingers
Finger position the fingers should be naturally
curved like shown.
Best Etudes for finger technique Bearmann,
Rose, Cavallini, Stark, Langenusetc. Click the
clarinet man for a list of great etudes and
excercises!!!
Click on Picture for a great article on finger
technique!
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Equipment Basics
The Clarinet Family- the most common clarinets
E-flat Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
A Clarinet
Find out more about these clarinets by clicking
them!
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Equipment Continued Kinds of Clarinets
Click any logo to go to the company website and
learn more about these different kinds of
clarinets!
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Equipment Mouthpieces
The mouthpiece is the most essential part of the
clarinet, and effects all aspects of playing.
Click on any of these superior mouthpiece
crafters logos for more information.
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Essential Repertoire Where to Buy and Order
Clarinet Music
The Best New York City Music Stores for Clarinet
Music- There is such a wide and beautiful range
of repertoire for the clarinetist.
Frank's Music 250 W 54th St., 3rd Fl.
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Essential Repertoire, Continued
The Best Internet Sources For Clarinet
Repertoire. Luyben music specializes in clarinet
sheet music and is a reliable fast source!
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Legends of the clarinet- sound excerpts

• Karl Leister Playing Brahms

Charles Neidich Playing Copland
Harold Wright Playing Schubert
Benny Goodman Playing Sing, Sing, Sing
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Q A With Jordan
Send your questions and comments to
jgp248_at_nyu.edu Join the International Clarinet
Association!!! Clarinet Links on the Internet