How to choose the best clarinet fingerings

Over the last several months, I’ve enjoyed sharing Clarinet Cheat Code Fingerings on my Instagram page. This series has given me a new appreciation for the art of selecting the “best” clarinet fingerings in any musical passage, and I wanted to share my top tips to help you choose options that work for you.

Here are my top tips to help you choose the best clarinet fingerings:

There are more fingering options in the clarinet’s altissimo range. Not to say that we don’t have special trill or alternate fingerings in the lower range (here’s looking at you, crossing the break trills), but the altissimo register is an abyss of options. There are multiple ways to finger each altissimo note, and choosing the best option is an art form. (If you’re not sure where to get started, check out my Altissimo Fingering Chart Bundle.)
If a passage feels really difficult, there’s probably at least one other option. If the technique feels unwieldy (and it’s not just you needing to practice more scales), it’s a good indication that there might be other ways to play this passage. This is especially true for trill or tremolo fingerings!
Don’t always rely on “normal” or standard fingerings. This is especially true in the altissimo range, where there are dozens of options for some notes! Think outside the box and create multiple options for each note.
Keep a record of all the fingerings that you learn and discover! One of my most prized clarinet possessions is a notebook in which I began writing down fingering suggestions I learned during lessons, masterclasses, or online resources. This is my first stop when I encounter a tricky passage, and I add more fingerings to it every week! Be sure to write notes to yourself about each fingering (I note it’s response, tuning, and potential musical passages or uses).
Approach a passage like a crossword puzzle. Even if you find an absolutely incredible fingering that’s responsive and in tune, it might not work in the passage. Look at the note(s) before and after to see if your fingering is technically feasible (especially true for faster passages).
Learn to compromise. In faster, technical passages, you sometimes have to compromise tuning vs. technique. A fingering can be in tune but difficult to get to in faster pieces, so try to choose one that balances technical facility and tuning.
The overtone series is your friend. When I enter the clarinet’s altissimo range, I frequently utilize the overtone series by overblowing a lower note. (For example, open G overblows to altissimo D, which can be a useful trill or tremolo fingering.) I also use overblown notes when I’m playing bass or Eb for a better altissimo response.
Fingerings will vary on different setups. One of the most common messages I get on Instagram is a variation of “This fingering is out of tune/not responsive/doesn’t work on my clarinet.” Each clarinet and accessories is slightly different, so response, tuning, and other factors will vary from clarinet to clarinet. That’s why it’s important to build a reliable collection of fingerings that work well on your setup.