Play the Clarinet for Beginners
Edited by Toradze, VisiHow, Eng
- 1 Overview
- 2 Choosing a Clarinet
- 3 Assemble the Clarinet
- 4 Clarinet Reeds
- 5 Applying Cork Grease
- 6 Cleaning the Clarinet
- 7 Tuning the Clarinet
- 8 When to Play the Clarinet after Eating
- 9 Breathing and Standing in a Good Posture
- 10 Buzzing into the Clarinet Reed
- 11 Basic Clarinet Fingering
- 12 Developing a Good Sound
- 13 Playing the C Chromatic Scale
- 14 Playing the C Major Arpeggio
- 15 Comments
Overview
You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial series on playing the clarinet.
Steps
- 1We'll be teaching you about different fingering abilities: C major scale, chromatic scale, and even arpeggios. Also, we'll cover such important things as single tonguing and double tonguing. We will also explain how to assemble the clarinet. We will explain the parts of the clarinet and finger positions. Also, we will focus on how to make a good sound on this instrument.Georgy, a Tbilisi State Conservatory student, will be demonstrating expressions and techniques important to the clarinet.
- 2The video tutorial set is split into two articles:
- "How to Play the Clarinet for Beginners" (this set of tutorials);
- "How to Practice Advanced Clarinet Techniques".
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the following video tutorials, please leave your questions, comments, or concerns in the space provided below. Thank you for watching VisiHow!
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Overview
Choosing a Clarinet
This is a video tutorial on how to select, buy, or rent a clarinet.
Steps
- 1Ensure that the instrument that you have chosen is in good condition. The parts should be aligned well.When purchasing a clarinet, either through buying or renting it, consider several key factors before making the purchase.
- 2It should be chosen as either a professional- to a student-level instrument. Try out the instrument to ascertain that everything feels and sounds well to you.Make sure that the make and the brand of the instrument is within your price range.
- 3So, you must find the instrument with a timbre, sound, and tone that you want to produce.Remember that the instrument should match the musician.
- 4So, when buying or renting a clarinet, it is really you who have to find your instrument that matches you.
If you have any further questions or concerns on how to buy or rent a clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Choosing a Clarinet
Assemble the Clarinet
This is a video tutorial on how to assemble a clarinet.
Steps
- 1They are the bell, the lower case, the upper case holding the keys, the barrel, the mouthpiece, and the reed.The clarinet is composed of six different key components.
- 2In the video the place into which you insert the mouthpiece is shown.
- 3When you disconnect the barrel from the upper case, you see that you must align everything exactly in order to have a precise and beautiful sound.Then, you attach the mouthpiece to the barrel.
- 4In the video the upper casing holding the upper keys is shown.
- 5Align the keys properly in order for the upper and lower cases to match perfectly.Remember, that you must fit the upper casing accordingly because it will not fit into any other places.
- 6Now, disconnect the lower case from the bell.
- 7Remember to align it properly in order to achieve a perfect alignment.You will see that you can disconnect and reattach it.
This has been a video tutorial on how to assemble a clarinet. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about how to assemble a clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Assemble the Clarinet
Clarinet Reeds
This is a video tutorial on the clarinet reed.
Steps
- 1A reed of the clarinet is the most crucial component of the instrument, as it produces the sound of the clarinet.
- 2The reed should be placed into the mouthpiece. Align the smaller wooden end of the reed with the end of the mouthpiece after inserting the reed.The clarinet reed should be in good condition in its case.
- 3Remember not to tighten the screw too hard, or you risk damaging the reed, in which case you will need to buy a new reed.Tighten the screw around the mouthpiece to hold the reed in place.
- 4If you are intermediate to advanced, then select a high reed. The reed in the video is two and a half millimeters.When selecting reeds for a beginner, select a low reed, which will help you understand the reeds and the instrument.
- 5It is up to you, your teacher, or professor to choose one of the reeds. Remember to take care of your reed just as you take care of your instrument. There are several reeds that you should have with you as well as a few spare ones. In different weather conditions, reeds can crack; and you will need to replace them effectively and efficiently. It is important to remember the type of reeds that you are using.The thickness of the reed is a personal preference.
This has been a video tutorial on how to choose clarinet reeds. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about selecting reeds, please leave the questions, comments, or concerns in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Clarinet Reeds
Applying Cork Grease
This is a video tutorial on how to apply cork grease to a clarinet.
Steps
- 1A clarinet is comprised of five main different housing sections.
- 2That means that you have to apply cork grease to all of the sections in order to lubricate and protect your clarinet from damage.
- 3Disconnect the bell from the lower casing.
- 4This is a very crucial part of the instrument that needs to stay away from damage.Remember to apply cork grease all around the rim of the bell of the lower casing.
- 5Use your finger to apply the cork grease evenly all around from the outside and inside.
- 6When we put on the bell, it should slide onto the lower casing perfectly.
- 7Do not push on the bell too hard; otherwise, you will damage the instrument.Twist the bell a little in order to see that the lubrication is effective.
- 8Now, disconnect the lower case from the upper case and follow through by applying more cork grease in order to protect the inner part.
- 9Then, you can use the rest by pressing it with your fingers around the rim.You don't have to put too much grease, just a little.
- 10Now, rotate the lower case to align its keys with the upper case.
- 11Remember to apply not too much pressure on your instrument, as you might damage the instrument and the cork, which will produce a very bad sound.
This has been a video tutorial on how to apply cork grease to the clarinet. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns on how to apply cork grease to the clarinet, please leave them in the space below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Applying Cork Grease
Cleaning the Clarinet
You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to clean the clarinet.
Steps
- 1Put the reed back into its case to protect it from damage. When you begin cleaning, get the stick with a cloth attached to the end of it, which should come with your clarinet. Now, insert the stick into the bell of the clarinet to go down through the mouthpiece.Once you begin to clean your clarinet, unscrew the mouthpiece to release the reed.
- 2Now, we will take apart each part of the clarinet in order to clean individual parts, starting with the bell of the instrument.Once this has been done, draw the cloth through the whole instrument in order to start the process of cleaning the clarinet.
- 3To avoid damaging it, once we are done with playing the instrument, we must clean the entire instrument in order to avoid water damage and build up of condensation and other materials such as saliva, and some food particles.When you play the clarinet, a lot of warm air builds up in the entire instrument.
- 4Now individually scrub and draw the cloth through the entire piece to clean the clarinet from foreign matter.
- 5A clean instrument will help to maintain a warm and clear sound. The most important part is the barrel attached to the mouthpiece. This is where most water or condensation builds up.Ensure that there is nothing left and that you have a clean barrel.
- 6Clean the connection very effectively and do it many times in order to get rid of all of the residue.
This has been a video tutorial on how to clean the clarinet. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about cleaning the clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Cleaning the Clarinet
Tuning the Clarinet
This is a video tutorial on how to tune the clarinet.
Steps
- 1Let's begin by warming up the instrument (you can do it with the piano).The first thing you need to do when tuning the clarinet is to warm up the instrument with warm air in order to get the instrument into the proper phase before tuning it.
- 2To tune the clarinet, find the barrel, which is below the mouthpiece and move it up a little.After the clarinet has been warmed up, the wood should have expanded owing to the soft warm air that has been blown into the clarinet.
- 3Let's blow into the clarinet.Moving the mouthpiece will help you to lower the tone a bit to adjust the tuning of the clarinet.
- 4If you were tuning it with the piano, you would need to turn it a bit lower as the tone will get too high. Adjust the pitch by moving the barrel somewhat higher in order for the sound to be lower.Now, the clarinet sounds a bit lower than it was in the beginning, as it has just been adjusted with long tones.
This has been a video tutorial on how to tune the clarinet. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about tuning the clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Tuning the Clarinet
When to Play the Clarinet after Eating
This is a video tutorial on eating and playing the clarinet.
Steps
- 1If you eat and play the clarinet, the food particles will be trapped as residue into the crevices of your clarinet making it very difficult for you to clean. The proper time to eat is twenty to thirty minutes prior to playing your instrument to avoid damaging your clarinet.The most important thing to know when playing the clarinet is that you should never eat before playing the clarinet as you will risk damaging it, including its reed and different other components.
This has been a video tutorial on how to play the clarinet and eat. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about when to play the clarinet after eating, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners When to Play the Clarinet after Eating
Breathing and Standing in a Good Posture
This is a video tutorial on how to breathe and stand correctly while playing the clarinet.
Steps
- 1Breathing and posture are very important key factors to playing correctly, as they gives you more support and stamina to play the instrument.
- 2They should be shoulder-width apart.Remember not to be too tight in the chest and always have your feet parallel with one another.
- 3Don't hold your shoulders back or forward, but feel relaxed in the correct position.When you hold the clarinet, don't be too tight with the shoulders.
- 4Breathe using the diaphragm in order to have a good breath support for playing.Remember to breathe as breathing is very important for clarinet.
- 5Let us play an example.
- 6The quality will be affected, and you should never do this. This is incorrect, and it spoils the overall sound.Remember not to be too tense, or else you will really dampen the sound.
- 7Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Your shoulders should be relaxed. Let's play the clarinet now.Have everything relaxed.
- 8Now, let's plant our feet firmly on the ground, shoulder-width apart. Let's play by employing a good breathing technique.This is the sound you need to create.
- 9Remember to have everything aligned correctly, to breathe correctly, and to feel the instrument and body while you're playing.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns on how to breathe and stand correctly while playing the clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Breathing and Standing in a Good Posture
Buzzing into the Clarinet Reed
his is a video tutorial on how to buzz into the clarinet reed.
Steps
- 1This will create a gap in order for you to make the buzz with the lips. Please place the reed and play.In order to buzz into the reed, pull down your bottom lip, exposing your frontal teeth.
- 2There are several different positions that you might employ and try to put in practice in order to find the one that's comfortable for you.With this in mind, make sure that the position is comfortable for you.
- 3Ascertain that the embouchure, which is the usage of muscles that help you to produce the sound, helps you to seal the mouthpiece tightly with your lips. You don't want any air to escape as it will create an airy sound, and there will not be enough force to make a good buzz on the reed. Your embouchure and the instrument should be aligned to sound good when you start to play.Now, ensure that your embouchure is correct so that you can buzz using the lips and teeth and produce a good sound.
This has been a video tutorial on how to buzz using the clarinet reed. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about buzzing into the clarinet reed, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Buzzing into the Clarinet Reed
Basic Clarinet Fingering
This is a video tutorial on learning basic clarinet fingering.
Steps
- 1Remember to cover the hole on the back with your thumb of the left hand. Cover all the holes so you can play sol, or G.Place your fingers over all of the key holes on the clarinet.
- 2Take your third finger off the key hole in order to increase the pitch. Please listen closely.The next note will be la, or A.
- 3Again, remove one finger, the second finger, from the clarinet in order to have two valves exposed to play Bb.
- 4Now, play all of these notes together, so you can get the feel of how they sound close to one another.
- 5Let's complete the scale. Please listen closely.Now, continue the scale removing each finger individually in order to increase the pitch.
This has been a video tutorial on learning basic clarinet fingering. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about learning basic clarinet fingering, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Basic Clarinet Fingering
Developing a Good Sound
This is a video tutorial on how to develop a good sound on the clarinet.
Steps
- 1These include the posture, breathing, and long tones. Long tones help develop a warm, clean, and crisp sound. Long tones help to resonate the sound and make it beautiful over a long period of time. Let us start with a piano and a pianissimo.There are several key factors for consideration.
- 2Now, move to a fortissimo and forte in order to increase the sound volume.
- 3After ascending with the forte, descend from it back to a piano.
- 4Long tones are a very important way to increase and develop a good sound and quality of tone. This is because they help the sound to resonate with the instrument and give you good stamina support.Now, play the complete long tone from a piano to a forte and back to a piano.
This has been a video tutorial on how to develop a good sound on the clarinet. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about developing a good sound on the clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Developing a Good Sound
Playing the C Chromatic Scale
This is a video tutorial on how to play the C chromatic scale on the clarinet.
Steps
- 1From C (do), go to C# (do sharp). Please listen to the scale closely.Starting on do, or C, ascend by half steps in order to complete the C chromatic scale.
- 2Now, go from D to D# (re to re sharp).
- 3Now, go from mi to fa, or from E to F.
- 4Now, after F, go to F# and G, or fa sharp and sol.
- 5Now play G# and A.
- 6After A, play Bb and B.
- 7After B, play C to complete the C chromatic scale.
- 8Please listen to the scale closely.After you finish ascending the C chromatic scale, descend the C chromatic scale, starting with the top C.
This has been a video tutorial on how to play the C chromatic scale on the clarinet. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing the C chromatic scale on the clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Playing the C Chromatic Scale
Playing the C Major Arpeggio
This is a video tutorial on how to play the C major arpeggio on the Bb clarinet.
Steps
- 1Please listen to the example.Let's start with do and mi (C and E).
- 2In order to go to the last C, completing the arpeggio, you must press the back button of the clarinet with the thumb of the left hand in order to play it. You will be able to play it after you press the button down. This will create C, E, G, and C in the ascending arpeggio.Now from C and E, move to C, E, and G, which form the main C major arpeggio triad.
- 3In order to descend, play C, G, C, and E.
This has been a video tutorial on how to play the C major arpeggio on the clarinet. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing the C major arpeggio on the clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below. Thank you for watching VisiHow!
Video: Play the Clarinet for Beginners Playing the C Major Arpeggio
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
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Categories : Music
Recent edits by: VisiHow, Toradze
