Top Tips and Songs for Learning Clarinet Notes
The clarinet is one of the most popular woodwind instruments out there thanks to its versatility. It can be played in all areas from concert bands to jazz bands to marching bands and even small ensembles. It has one single wood reed mouthpiece that is relatively easy to play and get a tone — whether it is a good one, though, depends highly on the musician playing it.
The one thing most people notice when they see a clarinet is the number of keys it has – especially when compared to brass instruments like the trumpet with only 3 keys! These are two very different types of instruments, though, and you will find that the clarinet isn’t so scary after all once you learn these top tips.
Top Tips For Learning Clarinet Notes
There are so many tips that may be offered when learning the clarinet as a beginner. We’ve narrowed it down to a few that will be the best tips to get you started. It is important to have a band director or private instructor to give you in-person tips on how to handle the clarinet, get the best tone, and so forth.
More Air Equals Greater Sound. It is pretty easy to get a sound on the clarinet. Albeit, sometimes it sounds like a honking goose, but it is a sound nonetheless. But for those newbie players who barely blow, they don’t get enough air to get smooth, clear tones. You need airflow — so blow harder.
Fix Your Embouchure. As you begin to blow harder, you need to remember to keep your embouchure tight. Without it, that’s when you will get that honking sound. And, when you get more advanced, keeping it tight is the only way you’ll hit those high notes!
Become Friends with your Mouthpiece. You will eventually find the perfect and most comfortable spot for your mouth to hold the mouthpiece. This comes with time and practice. To start, put your top teeth closer to the tip – maybe about ½ inch from it. Then, begin playing a note. Slowly move your teeth down the mouthpiece. When the tone sounds its best and the mouthpiece feels its best – that’s your spot.
Be Gentle with the Reed. You will have some reeds that you love and others just don’t seem to play the greatest. You will learn that there are reeds of different lengths and different materials. Try a couple of different reeds until you find what works best for you. Here’s another big tip – don’t bite your reed. As you are learning to find your spot on the mouthpiece, don’t press too hard with your bottom teeth.
Hold Your Clarinet Tight – But Not Too Tight. It is often referred to as holding your clarinet with your hand in the “C” position. In other words, make a “C” with your right hand. The clarinet should rest gently on your right thumb. You will want to wrap the rest of your “C” around the clarinet, gently resting your fingers near the proper fingering position. The key is to steadily hold your clarinet so you don’t drop it, but don’t hold it too tight so that you can’t allow your fingers to flow smoothly and fluidly.
Your Angle Determines Your Sound. You don’t want a squeaky, ear-piercing sound. But this can easily happen when the clarinet is held too straight. You want to sit up straight and hold your instrument at an angle so that it gives you a much better tone to work with.
Practice, Practice, Practice. This all seems like a lot, surely. But the more you practice, the stronger your embouchure will become, the more comfortable you will be at holding the instrument, and the better tone you will be getting. Be sure to practice regularly and you will begin to notice a difference.
Top Songs for Learning Clarinet Notes
There are so many songs in the world for clarinetists to dabble in – and musicians can be eager to get started. But, as someone who is new to the instrument, it is important to find the music that will help you get better at playing the clarinet. We’ve put together a list of some of the top songs that are easy to play – even for the very new musicians.
Ave Maria by Gounod. Sometimes having a familiar tune to practice can help you find the right tone. Plus, it can be played as a warm-up for years to come. It’s simple, yet beautiful, and can really help you develop your sense of tone.
Swan Lake’s Dance of the Little Swans. There are many pieces of music from this ballet production that may entice you, but Dance of the Little Swans takes the simple notes and the simple melody from Swan Lake and makes it an enjoyable tune to play. For beginners, it can make you feel like you are part of a big production.
Requiem, K. 626 by Mozart. First, being able to be a new clarinet player and say that you are playing Mozart has to feel good. But, more than that, this piece can help you solidify your mid-range tones while also getting comfortable with a wide range of fingerings.
Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. Due to its length, this song can help to strengthen breath control and even help with phrasing. It is a beautiful piece of music in addition to the technical benefits – and one that you will truly enjoy learning how to play.
The House of the Rising Sun. With simple notes and simple fingerings, you may not think it to be an overly beneficial piece. However, the complex rhythms can be a real challenge. Think of this song as one to help you become a better overall musician — while also learning how to better handle yourself on the clarinet.
Conclusion
You should give yourself a pat on the back for choosing to play the clarinet. Learning a new instrument can be tough, but once you stick with it – and practice often – it will all start to come together. You will learn just how to stand in the crowd because you are now a clarinetist.