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Clarinet Music by Women Composers
Over the years, I’ve written several articles about women clarinetists and women composers who wrote for the clarinet. (Articles linked below) In the world of classical music, the contributions of women composers have historically been overlooked. For the past few years, I’ve compiled a list of works for clarinet written by women, and I’m excited to finally share this list…
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The Beginner’s Complete Guide to the Clarinet
Congratulations for beginning your clarinet journey! ♫ The clarinet is by far the best instrument out there (or at least it is according to me and this small corner of the internet), and I have several resources to help you get started. I’ve written several articles which will help guide you along as you navigate the process of learning clarinet,…
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Clarinet embouchure: How much mouthpiece should you take in?
Believe it or not, how much mouthpiece you take in when playing clarinet can make a big difference in your sound! Whether you’re new to the clarinet or have been playing for years, it’s never a bad idea to examine (or re-examine) your embouchure to make sure you’re producing a top-quality sound. One aspect of this is how much of…
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2025 March Madness – Clarinet Sonatas
Who will be crowned the ultimate clarinet sonata? Let’s find out in the Jenny Clarinet March Madness Sonatas tournament! Back by popular demand, this clarinet-specific March Madness-style tournament was created as a fun and interactive way to discover new clarinet sonatas and revisit timeless favorites. Here’s how it works: I’ve modeled this March Madness bracket after the famous American basketball…
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What do the Weber concerti and Brahms sonatas have in common?
There’s an interesting connection between Carl Maria von Weber’s two clarinet concerti and Brahms two clarinet sonatas. Any guesses what it is? Notice any similarities? They share the same key signatures! So, is this pure coincidence, or was this intentional on Brahms’ part? Weber composed his two clarinet concerti in 1811 for the German clarinetist Heinrich Baermann. Eighty years later…
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Did Rossini really compose his Introduction, Theme and Variations?
Longtime readers of this blog know that there are countless unsolved mysteries of clarinet history, and I’m fascinated by these! Today, we’re delving into a work which I consider to be one of the top 50 standard works for clarinet – Rossini’s Introduction, Theme and Variations! Background Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) composed Introduction, Theme and Variations around 1819, and it…
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Clarinet history: Who invented the metal ligature?
When I’m not practicing the clarinet, one of my favorite things to do is delve into the vast world of clarinet history. There are so many subjects and areas to explore, one of which is the clarinet’s development to its modern form. Today, clarinetists probably take several things for granted. Reeds, although quite a can of worms, can be mass-produced…
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Did Weber write a third clarinet concerto?
Longtime readers of this blog know that there are several unsolved mysteries throughout clarinet history. One that I find particularly interesting is the possibility of Weber’s third clarinet concerto. Most clarinetists are undoubtedly familiar with the clarinet works of Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826). His famous Concertino, Op. 26, Concerto No. 1 in f minor, Op. 73, and Concerto No.…
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25 Practice tips to level up your playing in 2025
Happy New Year! There’s something extra motivating about the change of calendars, and it’s a great time to evaluate ways you can improve and set goals for your future. One of the most impactful areas where you can unlock greater improvement is by examining your practice routine. I’ve written several articles about practice tips throughout the years, and here are…
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The Music Critic Known as Corno di Bassetto
Love ’em or hate ’em, music critics have been around for most of music history. However, not all music critics use a pseudonym inspired by a member of the clarinet family! Irish music critic and multi-hyphenate George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was a music critic in London for several years, where he used the pen name Corno di Bassetto. Bernard Shaw…
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25 Clarinet repertoire hidden gems to perform in 2025
Happy New Year! I hope 2025 brings you health, happiness, and lots of great music! Speaking of great music, the clarinet community is #blessed to have such a wide variety of repertoire. It’s no secret that I enjoy “collecting” lesser-known repertoire, so I wanted to share 25 of my favorite hidden gems in the clarinet repertoire. Here are 25 hidden…
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Quick Fix Friday: Use your planner to update your CV
Happy Friday (the first one of 2025!)! Is it just me, or does anyone else find themselves tidying and organizing at the first of the year? If so, don’t throw out your 2024 planner yet! The quick fix? Go back through your 2024 planner to add any concerts, auditions, projects, or events to your CV. It’s easy to forget all…
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