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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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2018 Jenny Clarinet Boot Camp
The 2018 Jenny Clarinet Boot Camp is a downloadable practice plan and guide created to improve clarinet fundamentals. Each month contains a different method book or solo work, which I have organized into daily assignments. Each day features specific exercises to be incorporated into your practice routine. Make 2018 the year of building technique and improving fundamentals! Here is the schedule: January – Vade-Mecum de Clarinettiste February – Klosé Scales and Exercises March – Rose 32 Etudes April – Kell 17 Staccato Studies May – Kroepsch 416 Progressive Daily Studies, Vols. 1 & 2 June – Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 July – Stiévenard Practical Study of the Scales August…
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♪ 12 Days of Scalemas ♪
‘Tis the season – for scales! The concept is simple: much like the annoyingly catchy holiday song, you’ll be given a new item (in this case, scale) each day. By the end of the 12 days, you’ll have the gift of scale mastery (which, in my humble opinion, is much better than swans a-swimming and maids a-milking). Choose your difficulty level – beginner, intermediate, or advanced – and a start date. Commit to learning, relearning, or practicing the assigned scales each day, and you’ll emerge a more technically proficient musician by the end of the holiday season! 12 Days of Scalemas – Beginner 12 Days of Scalemas – Intermediate 12…
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Ways To Learn A New Piece (Without Actually Practicing)
Don’t get me wrong – there is no substitute for focused and efficient hard work in the practice room. When you perform, you are relying on the countless hours of diligent practice and preparation to execute that tricky technical passage or awkward meter. That being said, a comprehensive understanding of any piece must also include familiarity with the historical, cultural, and musical implications of the piece. The well-rounded musician must prepare both inside and outside the practice room. Here are the non-practice steps I take when learning new repertoire: Listening Listen to recordings. Listen to several different recordings by different artists. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many…
