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19 More Things You Didn’t Know About Jenny Clarinet
It’s been over 4 years since I began Jenny Clarinet, and I’m so happy and humbled by our little clarinet community we’ve created. I’ve gotten many more followers recently, so I thought I’d take a break from clarinet pedagogy and share a few facts about myself so you can get to know me better! (I did this a few years…
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How to create a great recital program (and how it’s similar to planning a dinner party)
Potentially unpopular opinion: I love creating recital programs. I have lists with ideas for future recital themes and programs, and it continues to grow with each new piece I discover. There is an art to choosing a great recital program – it should be well-balanced but also interesting for both audience and performer. Once you choose the program, you have…
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Sneaky Air Saboteurs
When something goes wrong, clarinetists have a lot we can point the finger at – reeds, mouthpieces, ligatures, slippery hands…the list is endless! But the majority of the time clarinetists encounter problems, it’s usually the same culprit – air! Air is the driving force behind everything we do, and there are many sneaky air saboteurs which can impede your progress.…
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Common Clarinet Emergencies and How to Fix Them
(Updated April 17, 2024) Picture this: you’re having a productive practice session. Things are going smoothly, you’re feeling great, you’re even having a good reed day, and then… Emergency strikes! Clarinet players are bound to cross certain inevitable problems. Don’t panic! Here are a few common clarinet emergencies and how you can fix them: My swab got stuck inside my…
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30 Famous French Clarinetists
Happy Bastille Day – vive la France! I will always consider France my adopted country, so to celebrate this French national holiday I’ve listed 30 famous French clarinetists. As always, this list is not intended to be comprehensive. I have tried to include notable clarinetists who spent their formative years in France, but many of these clarinetists later moved to…
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Questions to Ask Yourself for a More Productive Practice Session
Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you practice, improvement is slow and painstaking? If so, you might not be asking yourself focused questions to help guide your practice routine. Practicing is about committing to consistent and regular sessions, but it’s also making sure you have clear goals in mind. If you’re not sure what kind of questions…
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The Clarinet ABC Game
Are you bored, looking to pass some time during a long road trip, or just looking for dorky clarinet games? Challenge your clarinet friends to a game of clarinet ABCs, where you take turns coming up with clarinet-related terms for every letter of the alphabet. There are infinite possibilities for every letter, so don’t be afraid to get academic, goofy,…
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50 Famous American Clarinetists
Happy Independence Day, America! To help celebrate and put you in a patriotic state of mind, here are 50 famous American clarinetists, listed alphabetically by last name. (Disclaimer: This list is not intended to be comprehensive – there are so many awesome American clarinetists past, present, and future! I tried to use clarinetists who were born in America, although there…
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Canadian Clarinet Compositions
Happy Canada Day! I’ve enjoyed my first year in this beautiful country as I complete my doctorate in Montreal. I’d like to celebrate this national holiday with a list of some works for clarinet by Canadian composers I’ve discovered during my time up north. By no means is this list comprehensive, so feel free to share your favorite Canadian clarinet…
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9 Museums Every Clarinetist Should Visit
Are you looking for a clarinet-themed getaway this summer? Here are some museums you and all your clarinet friends should check out: Musée des Instruments à Vent (La Couture-Boussey, France) – If you want to see an impressive collection of wind instruments (and who doesn’t?), this is your place. Musical Instruments Museum (Brussels, Belgium) – In addition to a wide assortment of historical…