-
How to Motivate Yourself to Practice When You’d Rather Not
I’m sure that somewhere in this world, there is somebody that wakes up every single day, eager to practice and absorb every iota of musical wisdom the world throws their way. Setbacks are never met with frustration, and their zen attitude is almost saint-like. The practice room is their temple, and they are one with their instrument. That person isn’t me. Don’t get me wrong – I generally enjoy practicing. I love setting specific goals, curating practice plans, and enjoying the sense of accomplishment when I feel like I’ve improved. But then there are those days where I’d rather do anything other than practice. Maybe you’ve been there too? Those…
-
20 Unaccompanied Clarinet Works from the 20th Century
For an instrument with such an illustrious history, the clarinet is relatively new to the unaccompanied scene. Excluding the Stadler Caprices and Donizetti Studie, there are virtually no works for solo clarinet until the 20th century. Here are 20 standard works for solo clarinet from the 20th century, arranged alphabetically. I have chosen these pieces for their historical significance and importance within the clarinet repertoire. By no means is this intended to serve as a comprehensive list of unaccompanied clarinet repertoire from the 20th century. These are milestone works of clarinet literature, and there are countless other masterpieces written for solo clarinet. Malcolm Arnold – Fantasy for Clarinet, Op. 87 (1966)…
-
Clarinet Pick-Up Lines
Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are some clari-nerdy pick up lines guaranteed to garner the love of that special someone! Are you the Kell 17 Staccato Studies? Because you’ve got me tongue-tied! Are you the first movement of the Copland concerto? Because you take my breath away! Are you the Nielsen concerto? Because you make my heart beat faster! Are you Benny Goodman? Because you make me want to sing, sing, sing! Are you a Stravinsky polyrhythm? Because you’re hard to follow! Are you a Brahms sonata? Because I can’t get enough of you! Are you the Mendelssohn Scherzo? Because I always make a fool of myself around you! Are you…
-
33 Random Thoughts I Have While Practicing
Is it just me, or does your mind tend to wander more often than it should when you’re practicing? I’ve actually stumbled upon some pretty great blog ideas while practicing, but other thoughts…not so much. Here are 33 random thoughts I’ve had while practicing: Can you wear teeth whitening strips while practicing, or will they move around? I wonder how bad it is to drink coffee during my practice session… I really should stop crossing my feet when I’m practicing. I wonder how many reeds I’ve ever played. Have police ever used reeds to collect DNA evidence? They should make an ancestry.com – but for clarinets. Are there any historical…
-
Musical Adventures: Day Trip to Galánta
Living in Europe the last few years has given me the incredible opportunity to travel to some pretty amazing places. Having visited 30 countries (and counting!), I’ve been able to explore bustling metropolises, rural villages, quiet cemeteries, dusty archives, and other portals to the past. I have always loved history. Not only did I read my Norton music history textbook for fun, but I also contacted the publishers to report a few errors (they listed Bernstein’s birth year as 1916!). I think it is important to understand our musical past so we can continue to grow as musicians, and I welcome any opportunity to experience history firsthand. During my travels,…
-
Books Every Clarinetist Should Have on Their Bookshelf – Part 2
There’s something about these cold, dreary days that makes curling up with a good book extra appealing. I’ve always been an avid bookworm, and I especially love reading books about clarinet or music in general. There’s only so much you can learn in a practice room, and these books are great supplements to your music education. Longtime readers will remember one of my first articles, Books Every Clarinetist Should Have on Their Bookshelf (Or Kindle). This list has only grown over the years, hence the need for part 2! As before, this is not a comprehensive list. Some of these books are currently out of print, but many used copies can…
-
Upgrading From Plastic to Wood Clarinets: A Guide for Band Parents
Clarinet parents have to put up with a lot – unrelenting squeaks, endless requests for more reeds, and seemingly never-ending equipment upgrades. The biggest and most daunting upgrade is when and how you should switch from a plastic to a wood clarinet. Unless you have previously gone through this process, upgrading from a plastic to wood clarinet can be stressful and confusing. You want the best for your child, but it’s tricky when there are so many brands, models, price ranges, retailers, and other factors to consider. Let’s start with the basics. Plastic clarinets vs. wood clarinets Plastic clarinets are great for beginners. Plastic is a resilient and durable material,…
-
How to Winter-Proof Your Clarinet
Blustery cold, wind-tangled hair, dry hands, chapped lips…winter isn’t for the faint of heart! If you’re dreaming of warmer days, you’re not alone – your clarinet is also eagerly awaiting the sun and humidity of summer. Harsh winter conditions can wreak havoc on your clarinet. From the bomb cyclone to other arctic conditions, winter weather is unforgiving to clarinets, causing tuning issues, unpredictable reeds, and cracks. Here are a few preventative steps to protect your wooden clarinet this winter: Avoid drastic temperature changes. Cold winter air outside + overactive heating inside = a recipe for disaster. Try to keep your clarinet as stable as possible, in regards to temperature. Warm…
-
Couch to Cavallini Practice Plan
Has it been a while since you’ve played clarinet? Perhaps you decided to take an extended break. Or your job/family/kids took precedence over your clarinet. Maybe you haven’t played clarinet since the last century – no judgement here! Whatever the reason, life got in the way of you and your clarinet, which is currently collecting dust in a closet somewhere. If you’re reading this post, you’ve probably already taken the first step, which is deciding that you want to play again – congratulations! Before we get to the Couch to Cavallini practice plan, here are a few things to keep in mind: This practice plan is for anyone who used…
-
New Year’s Resolutions for Musicians
I love hitting the refresh button every year on December 31st. There’s something invigorating about starting fresh on January 1, with a newfound reserve of motivation and determination. Longtime Jenny Clarinet readers know that I love lists, and New Year’s resolutions are no exception. For the past few years, I’ve used NYE as an opportunity to evaluate all that I’ve done throughout the year and prepare myself for the year to come. A little bit of planning and organization now will help you save time and sanity later in the year. Plus, this is a cozy and productive way to stay inside on these cold winter days. Here are some…