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33 Fun musical challenges to keep you motivated while you’re at home
For everyone out there who is stuck at home for the unforeseeable future, here are some fun challenges and ideas to keep you occupied and motivated until you can return to your normal schedule: Listen to all Mahler symphonies in a single day Listen/watch Wagner’s entire Ring Cycle (Der Ring des Nibelungen, WWV 86) Have a photo shoot with your instrument (hello, new DIY headshots!) Make a carrot clarinet (or see what other vegetables work well) Write a chronological list of your instrument’s major works (bonus points if you do it from memory) Tour music museums virtually Take advantage of all the free concerts online Make an arrangement of your…
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Playing Clarinet with Asthma
Clarinetists know that one of the most important elements of clarinet-playing is, well….air. So, what can asthmatic clarinetists do to overcome respiratory difficulties when playing the clarinet? Asthma doesn’t have to stand in the way of your clarinet goals! The good news is that many studies have shown that playing a wind instrument “has the potential of being a long-term therapeutic agent for asthmatics” (you can read a few studies here and here). Here is some advice for clarinetists suffering from asthma to maximize their respiratory potential: DISCLAIMER: I am a clarinetist – not a qualified medical expert. Please consult your doctor before incorporating any of these into your practice routine.…
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The Wind Player’s Guide to Building and Increasing Endurance
If you’re like most musicians, you’ve probably taken an extended break from time to time. While the break is usually much-needed and well-deserved, it can be challenging to regain and extend physical endurance once you start practicing again. Here are a few tips for wind players to help you increase your endurance. Disclaimer: No matter how musically in-shape you are, it is always important to take regular breaks during your practice sessions to avoid injury. I take a 10-15 minute break every 45 or 50 minutes, but feel free to adjust this to your routine. Go slow. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your embouchure or overall…
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100 More Famous Female Clarinetists Throughout History
Last year, I wrote a list of 100 famous female clarinetists throughout history (I also wrote a more in-depth article on historical female clarinetists). Obviously, 100 is barely breaking the surface of all the wonderfully talented female clarinetists from around the world (past, present, and future), so here is the much-awaited sequel to this list. As always, this list is not meant to be comprehensive. I intend to make this a multi-part series, so please comment below with other female clarinetists who you would like to see featured on subsequent installments. Juliette Adam Deborah Andrus Anaïde Apelian Arngunnur Árnadóttir Emily Bernstein Joséphine Besançon Marie Billotte Betty Bley Anne Boeykens Carmen…
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Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas for Clarinetists
Looking for stocking stuffer ideas for the clarinetist in your life this holiday season? Here are a few ideas for some inexpensive gifts any clarinetist will surely appreciate: Reeds Cork grease Lip balm (not to be confused with cork grease!) A new swab Mouthpiece Ligature Mouthpiece pouch Mouthpiece patches Thumb cushion Reed case Small toiletry case (to corral all these cool accessories) Water bottle/coffee mug Music bag Stand accessories (stand light, cupholder, tray, etc) Note: Keep in mind that clarinet equipment is a personal choice, so consider asking them which equipment they want. Better yet, give them a voucher so they can try a few items and choose their favorite.…
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13 Ways Musicians Can Spread Holiday Cheer
As you’ve probably heard by now, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! You might not be convinced if you’re trying to find last-minute gifts, preparing to host family and friends, or just experiencing the end-of-year craziness, so here are a few ways musicians can spread some holiday cheer this December: Perform at local hospitals, nursing homes, or anywhere music would be appreciated. Leave a complimentary and encouraging comment on another musician’s social media pages. Write a thank you letter to a teacher, mentor, colleague, or any other musician who has made a difference in your life. Donate reeds, cork grease, mouthpieces, or any other equipment or accessories to…
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An End of Term Note of Encouragement for Musicians
Whether you are currently a music student, teacher, freelancer, or any other type of musician, you are probably feeling the stress as another year comes to a close. Compounding that anxiety is the realization that we are about to enter another decade! I’m here to reassure you that you are so close to finishing this hurdle in your musical journey. I know that many of you reading this right now are probably burnt out and feeling uninspired. There never seem to be enough hours in the day to finish what you have to do, let alone what you want to do. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by everything, and you…
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Why Am I Squeaking? A Troubleshooting Guide for Clarinetists
To anyone just starting out on their clarinet journey (and even to some seasoned professionals), there is nothing worse than a squeak. The horror, the shame, the embarrassment, the humiliation! The good news is that you’re in good company – squeaks are part of the growth process for clarinetists, and we have all squeaked (many times!) throughout our clarinet careers. Squeaks are quite common and can usually be corrected with a few simple fixes. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you figure out why you’re squeaking and how you can stop: Too much air at once. The clarinet requires a lot of air, but if you use too…
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13 Things That Frighten Even the Bravest Clarinetist
To paraphrase Bette Davis, “playing clarinet ain’t no place for sissies!” The mental fortitude and nerves of steel required for a career as a musician vanquish many a hopeful clarinetist. However, there are some things that terrify even the bravest of clarinetists: chipped reeds transposition altissimo register on the E-flat clarinet bass clef cracks in your clarinet playing reeds after extreme environmental changes Nielsen, Francaix, and/or Corigliano concertos Peter and the Wolf, Ginastera, Bartered Bride, Daphnis, Scherzo, etc d# minor (or the dreaded key signature of your choice) quick clarinet changes in orchestra unexpected appearances of C clarinet in orchestral music with no advance warning moldy reeds alto clarinet (can…
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How to Identify Counterfeit Clarinet Equipment
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of counterfeit musical instruments and accessories on the market. With the ease of online shopping, musicians can research a variety of options, compare prices, and read reviews. The downside to this is that many consumers unintentionally fall victim to purchasing counterfeit products. I spoke with François Kloc, President & CEO of Buffet Crampon USA about the rise of counterfeit clarinet products and red flags to avoid. Here are a few warning signs he mentioned which could indicate a counterfeit product: Be cautious of suspiciously low prices. This is the number one red flag for counterfeit products. Fakes will…