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2019 Horoscopes for Musicians
Happy New Year! Find your zodiac sign below to see what musical adventures 2019 has in store for you! (Disclaimer: These horoscopes were created to be humorous, encouraging, but not to be taken too seriously. After all, my background is in clarinet – not astrology.) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) – After overcoming recent obstacles, you’re ready to try new things. Start learning some new repertoire or branch out into different styles! Career: Make sure you have an updated CV to avoid any last-minute scrambling during application season. Aquarius (January 20-February 18) – This is your year for networking! Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and colleagues to make…
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9 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Musicians
Happy New Year! As each year comes to a close, millions of people vow to enter the following year a better person. Here are some ideas for musicians to make 2019 your best year yet: Create a practice routine that sticks. If you struggle with practicing consistently, dedicate the new year to finding a practice plan which is efficient and enjoyable. Do you function best early in the morning, late at night, or sometime in between? Do you like to break your practicing into smaller time chunks or do one larger session? Figure out what works best for you so you can practice more consistently in 2019. Here’s my guide…
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Famous Celebrities Who Played the Clarinet
We all know that the clarinet is the best instrument around, so it’s no surprise that these celebrities played (or still play!) the clarinet: Don’t forget to check out my list of movies, shows, and series which feature the clarinet! Know any other clarinet-playing celebrities? Leave a comment below so I can add them to the list! Maybe we can invite them to the next clarinet convention…?
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The Rumored Lost Masterworks of Clarinet Repertoire
Don’t get me wrong – the clarinet has an incredibly vast collection of repertoire, with masterpieces by some of history’s greatest composers. But there are rumors of great composers who supposedly wrote (or planned to write) a chef d’oeuvre for the clarinet. Maybe they succumbed to the clarinet curse or maybe these are just clarinet urban legends, passed down from generation to generation in hushed whispers. Whatever the case, here are the rumored lost masterworks of clarinet repertoire: Tchaikovsky clarinet quintet – Tchaikovsky is my all-time favorite composer, and I have always bemoaned the fact that he never wrote solo or chamber music for the clarinet. However, it was rumored…
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Movies, Shows, and Series Which Feature the Clarinet
There are few things better than escaping the sub-zero temperatures with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie or series. Netflix has some pretty specific categories and recommendation algorithms, but something tells me that it doesn’t have a section for movies or shows with prominent clarinet solos in the story line or soundtrack. So, I’ve gone ahead and put together a list for your viewing pleasure! Movies Arthème Swallows His Clarinet (1912) – Equally bizarre and funny, this silent film unveils one of clarinetists’ greatest fears! The Cocoanuts (1929) – Harpo Marx plays “When My Dreams Come True” on clarinet about 20 minutes into this film, and he’s also featured…
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2019 Jenny Clarinet French Boot Camp
Are you looking to add a little je ne sais quoi to your practice routine? Maybe you want to practice à la française? Or maybe you just want to learn the Francaix Concerto or the Debussy Première rhapsodie, but don’t know where to begin? Say no more! I’ve created the 2019 Jenny Clarinet French Boot Camp, a 12-month practice plan centered around learning standard French repertoire and etudes! Each month contains a different method book or solo work, which I have organized into daily assignments. (Here is a sample boot camp.) Each month includes instructions and advice for each book or piece. If you follow my boot camp, you’ll complete one book,…
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The Complete Guide to Buying Your First A Clarinet
There comes a point in many clarinetists’ lives when your trusty B-flat isn’t enough anymore. Maybe you’re tired of transposing in orchestra (cool it with the A clarinet, Tchaikovsky!). Maybe you want to play the Mozart Concerto in the original key signature. Or maybe you’ve decided to continue your musical studies into college and beyond. Whatever the reason, owning an A clarinet is a requisite for any serious clarinetist. Many of the greatest masterworks of orchestral, chamber, and solo literature are written for the A clarinet. Professional clarinetists are expected to own and play on both B-flat and A clarinets for auditions, recitals, and performances. But when should you purchase an…
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Band Roadblocks: Reasons Why You’re Not Improving As Much As You Would Like
I’ll be the first to admit that I can be a bit…impatient. Maybe it’s my sense of millennial instant gratification, or maybe it’s just pent up creative energy – whatever the case, it can be frustrating in music. Improving your musical abilities takes time and effort, and it can be exasperating to feel like you’re putting in more than you’re getting out. This is especially true in band programs, where you’re side-by-side with musicians of all levels and it’s easy to compare yourself to others. Here are a few roadblocks which could be preventing you from reaching your potential: You don’t practice enough. Just like you have homework in math…
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The Clarinetist’s Guide to Braces
Braces can do wonders to help create the perfect smile, but let’s face it – they’re a real pain in the…mouth. The majority of people will have braces at some point in their life. A common age to get braces is during the preteen or early teen years, which is coincidentally around the time many clarinetists begin their musical journey! Fear not – braces don’t have to put an end to your clarinet career! Here’s everything you need to know about playing the clarinet with braces, whether you’ve already played for a while or are planning to start after you get braces. Can you play clarinet with braces? Yes, although…
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Alabama All State Audition Boot Camp for Clarinetists
Happy November! The air’s getting colder as marching band comes to a close for another season, which can only mean one thing… All State auditions are just around the corner! That’s right, it’s time to dust off those scales and polish those etudes, because auditions will be here before you know it! Lucky for you, I’ve created a free 8-week boot camp for clarinetists of all ages to prepare for their All State audition, whether it’s your first time or you have a few auditions under your belt. I’m a veteran of the Alabama All State Band system, having made 1st chair in the Red Band multiple times, and I…