Clarinet Crimes You Might Be Unknowingly Committing
As the self-appointed clarinet police, it’s my job to keep the clarinet community safe from crime.
Here are some crimes many clarinetists are unknowingly committing:
Infractions
- Flipping from middle B to C. The “pinky keys” can be confusing, and you should avoid sliding from one key to the other on the same side. But why make extra work for yourself when you can play B with both pinkies and simply lift the left pinky to produce C?
- Adding the Eb pinky key on high C#. The clarinet is not a perfect instrument. Some notes are atrociously out of tune, C# being one of them. Adding the pinky key just makes it worse.
- Resting pinky fingers behind keys or the clarinet when they’re not in use. This will slow down your technique, so practice in front of a mirror to make sure you don’t do this! (For such a small finger, the pinky can commit a lot of crimes!)
- Crossing your feet while you play. A no-no in any professional setting.
Misdemeanors
- Swabbing your mouthpiece. For the love of Brahms, never swab your mouthpiece! It gradually alters the facing and interior dimensions. To remove spit, carefully shake it out before placing your mouthpiece back in the case (safely covered by the mouthpoiece cap, obvs).
- Playing with your bell in your knees. Unless you like a stuffy, flat sound, avoid this poor posture.
- Not taking breaks. Take regular breaks (at least one every hour) to avoid mental and physical fatigue. Use this time to swab your clarinet – except the mouthpiece!
- Playing with a lowered head. The clarinet comes to you, not the other way around. Poor head position can negatively impact air flow, and clarinets, being woodWIND instruments, need air to function.
- Using the same reed forever. Rotate your reeds! The lifespan of a reed can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, but don’t keep a reed past its prime. Not only will your sound suffer, but let’s not go into details about how gross reeds are! (If you don’t believe me, check out Michael Lowenstern’s video on reed mold here.)
Felonies
- Playing the Mozart Concerto on the B-flat clarinet.
Crime prevention is a community effort, so join the clarinet police force and be on the lookout for these crimes! It’s our job to keep the clarinet world a (relatively) safe place!
Happy practicing!
9 Comments
Greg Baker
I am a felon. Thank God it was at a blind audition!!
Watch for my story on Law and Order K.622!!
Dan
Karl, why not start an outlaw clarinet player gang instead? We can use a clarinet repair shop as a front. ;)
jennymaclay
Now I’m on to you both! You’ll be on “Most Wanted: Clarinetists Edition”!
Karl
This awesomeness Jenny after reading this I have a fear now for doing clarinet crimes. I will henceforth be a clarinet law abiding citizen.
jennymaclay
Just the clarinet police doing her job! ;)
Dan
>Flipping from middle B to C
Today I’ve seen a student (not even a beginning student!) play the right sliver key F# with her middle finger crooked. Don’t ask how she managed to play that up to tempo.
jennymaclay
It’s amazing how well some students can “perfect” bad habits ;)
Ken Campbell
Jenny, love your blog. Always checking for new posts. As for swabbing your mouthpiece please see:
https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/single-post/2017/07/18/how-to-swab-your-clarinet-mouthpiece
Brad made my mouthpiece for me and I follow his instructions for maintenance.
jennymaclay
Thanks for sharing! Brad is certainly an expert, but it seems that the clarinet community is divided on this subject.