• 10 Nightmares That Will Terrify Every Clarinetist

    In honor of Halloween, here is a devilishly spooky list of things which will cause clarinetists around the world to seek cover under the nearest blanket and scream in terror. Read at your own risk, and don’t say I didn’t warn you! Playing the “Scherzo” from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream…at 100 Being asked to solo the Mozart Concerto…and only having your Bb clarinet Perfecting an orchestral excerpt…before realizing it was written for C clarinet Reading the required audition excerpts list…and seeing the name Ginastera Dropping your mouthpiece…your original 1960s Kaspar Having to perform Peter and the Wolf…transposed half a step higher Being asked to solo with an orchestra…playing the Corigliano Concerto…tomorrow Realizing…

  • Quick Fix Friday: Right Hand “Sliver” Key

    Call it what you like – sliver key, banana key (as I learned it in middle school), fork key – I’m talking about the key between the second and third tone hole of the right hand. This key is used for high D#/Eb, top line F#/Gb, and low A#/Bb. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but by changing one tiny detail, you can improve your response and technique. Does this passage strike fear in the hearts of my fellow clarinetists? (For those that don’t know this excerpt, it’s from Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsody for Clarinet.) Have you ever squeaked on this D#? Had a stuffy or delayed response? It’s probably because you’re not using the correct part…

  • Overcome Your Practice Plateau With These Practice Hacks

    Have you ever walked out of the practice room and wondered what the heck you spent the last few hours doing? Maybe it wasn’t a terrible practice session, but it probably wasn’t that great either, right? Sometimes practicing feels like walking up the down escalator – having to redo passages you’ve already practiced, struggling with the same problems, zoning out or going on autopilot, or not knowing how to take your music to the next level. Congratulations, you’ve reached a practice plateau. Practice plateaus occur when we become complacent with our practice routine.  It’s so easy to make practicing just another item on your endless to-do list, but when you’re not dedicating focus…

  • Quick Fix Friday: Reed Placement

    One of my favorite masterclass moments was when an audience member asked the pedagogue, “What about reeds?” To which he responded, “Yes, reeds are a good idea.” Reeds are either the best part of our day or the bane of our existence. So many factors affecting reeds are out of our control – humidity, temperature, altitude, full moons, what color socks you wear (just kidding on the last two, but doesn’t it feel that way sometimes?). There is one thing within your control which can make a huge difference in how well your reeds responds, and that is the reed placement on the mouthpiece.  This is highly individual, but a…

  • How to Cure “Musician’s Block”

    Why do only writers get a name for dry spells in creativity (aka writer’s block)? All artists, whether it be painters, dancers, actors, or musicians, are prone to slumps in inspiration. Henceforth, let’s start referring to this as musician’s block (or musician’s Bloch is you like a good composer pun). An unfair advantage writers and other artists have over musicians is that they usually have a tangible stopping and starting point from which to resume. If a writer is stuck on the ending of a novel, their existing work doesn’t vanish. Musicians’ work is dependent on daily practice – a drop in creativity during an important performance or audition can…

  • Quick Fix Friday: Better Rhythm in Ten Seconds

    No, this won’t be about using your metronome (which is the best way to stabilize and improve rhythm). Today’s quick fix is so simple and fast, but very few musicians are doing it. Ready for the secret? Count off. Mind blown? Before you begin playing anything, count at least two measures in your head. If you’re comfortable tapping your foot, this will also help internalize the tempo. Just make sure you aren’t counting by moving part of your body which can affect any fundamentals – like clarinetists moving the elbow or shoulder, which can disrupt the embouchure….and make you look like a chicken trying to fly. How do you find…

  • Why All State Auditions are Stunting your Musical Growth

    Let me preface this post by saying that I have had nothing besides positive experiences from All State band and orchestra (except for the sporadic bouts of crippling self doubt and heart-palpitating audition anxiety, but that’s for another discussion). It is a great way to fuel competitive spirit among young musicians while fostering friendship and teamwork. I am still close friends with several people I met in All State band and orchestra nearly ten years ago (I even went to prom with a fellow All State clarinetist!). Social aspects aside, All State ensembles are an incredible opportunity for growing musicians. The key word here is “growing” musician. In middle and…

  • Quick Fix Friday – Lunglock

    Breathing. I’ve always thought it was funny that we spend our entire life without thinking about it, then we pick up an instrument (with a few exceptions, of course) and forget everything we know about breathing. Wind instrumentalists will undoubtedly spend many hours studying charts and diagrams of the lung’s relation to the oral cavity; attend several lessons or masterclasses on the discussion of “proper breathing”; or even take up cardio activities (hey, it can’t hurt!). There are even courses designed to facilitate better breathing techniques, such as The Breathing Gym. How can something so natural cause so much angst among musicians (unless you had the foresight to choose violin,…

  • Quick Fix Friday – Middle B

    Remember when you were first learning to play the clarinet? Chances are, your first note was open G, bottom line E, or low C. Things were great (minus the inevitable squeaks) and all was smooth sailing until you reached middle B. I remember my middle school band director telling me that middle B was the hardest note to learn on the clarinet. At the time, I laughed inwardly as I breezed through the chalumeau register…..and then came to an abrupt halt as I approached the clarion register. From a young age, I learned never to doubt your band director. Why is middle B so difficult for beginners to play at…

  • 5th European Clarinet Festival – Belgium

    What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been!  In preparation for our performance at the 5th European Clarinet Festival in Belgium, the Versailles Clarinet Choir had almost-daily rehearsals. Naturally, this was the perfect time for me to get sick. Combine these with the beginning of classes (with hour-long commutes to and from Versailles), and you have the perfect storm of chaotic scheduling.  Although it was a stressful couple of days, I had an amazing time in Belgium and am so grateful for such an incredible opportunity! After an early-morning train ride from Gare du Nord (which I spent trying to stop an incessant cough), we arrived in Ghent around…