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Top Tuning Tips for Clarinetists
How do you tune a clarinet? (Fill in your favorite punch line) Clarinet tuning can be tricky! After all, we have so many variables which can affect tuning, from temperature, reeds, barrels, and more. I’ve written several articles throughout the years on clarinet tuning, and I want to share my top tuning tips to help you play more in tune…
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The Ultimate List of Clarinet Method Books
Clarinetists are #blessed to have so many wonderful pieces and study materials written for us. (It’s no surprise, since we obviously play the best instrument!) School is just around the corner, which makes this the perfect time to browse this list and order new music for you (or your students)! I’ve organized these books by topic and focus, and each…
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Around the World in Eighty Pieces – #5 Liechtenstein
Welcome to my new series, Around the World in Eighty Pieces! I’m excited to combine my love of travelling and clarinet repertoire by sharing a clarinet composition I “discovered” in each country. This series is not meant to be a comprehensive overview of the clarinet music from each country; rather, this is an appetizer to ignite your curiosity to learn more…
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Proper Ligature Placement on the Clarinet
Ligatures play an important role in any clarinetist’s life – they hold the reed on the mouthpiece! But did you know that ligature placement can affect your sound and response? Read on for more photos and information to ensure you are using proper ligature placement while playing clarinet. (Before continuing, you should check out my Complete Guide to Clarinet Ligatures.…
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Have Clarinet, Will Travel: Essential Tips for Travelling with Your Clarinet
It’s no secret that I love to travel! I’ve travelled around the world (40 countries and counting!) for concerts and recitals. Along the way, I’ve picked up several tips and tricks to make travelling with your clarinet(s) smoother and stress-free. (Psst! I mostly travel with my B-flat and A clarinets. If you’re travelling with a bass clarinet, check out this…
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Transform Your Clarinet Tone: The Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide
One of the most important things musicians have to offer is their tone. Your tone is your musical voice, which is why it’s important to work on developing your absolute best sound. I’ve written a few articles and resources before on this subject (such as How to Improve Your Clarinet Tone and Sculpt Your Sound Workbook). Today, I want to…
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Quick Fix Friday: Listen before you look
Happy Friday! If you’re trying to improve your listening skills (for pitch and/or rhythm), there’s one important thing you need to do… Listen before your look at the tuner or metronome! Instead of constantly looking at your tuner or metronome, take a few seconds to listen to yourself. How do you think your pitch is? Is it sharp? Flat? By…
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How to avoid popped attacks on clarinet
Imagine this – you’re standing on stage, the lights are dimmed, and you’re ready to play your first entrance when… A sharp spike in the sound ruins the moment you’ve been practicing! Popped attacks are unfortunately very common on the clarinet. These can be frustrating, but these can be avoided with these tips. First up, what causes popped attacks? These…
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Debunking Popular Clarinet Reed Myths
I’ve been on a reed kick lately. As I was writing my last article, The Complete Guide to Clarinet Reeds, I realized that there are several reed myths which are still being perpetuated. My mission? To debunk these popular clarinet reed myths! Myth: The harder the reed, the better the player. Truth: Don’t let anyone reed-shame you! Reed strength is…
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The Complete Guide to Clarinet Reeds
Let me begin with an unorthodox yet effective introductory quote from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor…