• Clarinet Repertoire Requiring Costumes

    Did you know that some pieces of clarinet repertoire instruct the performer to wear specific clothing or costumes? These pieces can include costume, staging, lighting, and other theatrical elements, taking your typical clarinet performance and turning it into a real spectacle! Here are a few pieces of clarinet repertoire requiring costumes: Karlheinz Stockhausen – Harlekin for solo clarinetist/dancer – In performances of this work, clarinetists dance on stage, embodying the character of the Harlequin, a comedic figure. (Fun fact: several of Stockhausen’s compositions feature theatrical and contemporary techniques for clarinet. Since there are several clarinet features in his operas and larger ensemble works, some have been adapted for solo or…

  • What do tuning and mind control have in common?

    No, this isn’t the opening to some bad music theory joke (but it could be if you leave a good punchline in the comments!). Most musicians are probably familiar with “concert pitch,” A=440Hz. This is the tuning standard in many parts of the world (although some countries and ensembles do tune higher). But have you ever wondered how we settled on A=440 as the standard tuning pitch? I did, and my research led me to rumors of Illuminati involvement, mind control, and the vibration of the universe. Pretty deep stuff for something we bemoan at every rehearsal. Before we continue, I want to make it clear that I do not…

  • Jenny Clarinet Halloween 🎃

    I’ve gathered all my Halloween articles in one post to help you celebrate my favorite holiday all year long! Clarinet History & Mystery Unsolved mysteries of clarinet history Secret Societies in Clarinet History This former school is haunted by the ghost of a clarinetist Clarinet cryptograms: Are there hidden messages in our repertoire? The Curse of the Yellow Clarinet The Rumored Lost Masterworks of Clarinet Repertoire The Bizarre Deaths of Historical Clarinetists The musical medium who holds a clue to the missing Mozart clarinet concerto manuscript How this famous composer of clarinet music inspired the Phantom of the Opera Cursed Clarinet Repertoire The Clarinet Curse: Composers Who Died After Writing…