Cultivating Good Habits For Young Clarinetists

Hand Position

Both Hands:          1.    Fingers are curved as you would hold a ball

2.        Fingers are slanted slightly

3.        Finger pads cover the holes

4.        Fingers should not be lifted higher than ½” above the keys

Left Hand:             1.    First finger “rolls” to the “A” key

                                2.    Thumb “pivots” to the register key

Right Hand:           1.    Thumb touches thumb rest between the nail and the first knuckle

2.        First finger does not touch the side Eb/Bb key

Instrument Position

1.        The clarinet should be held approximately at the knees

2.        Do not rest the clarinet against the knees

3.        Hold the clarinet to the center of the body

Posture

1.        Sit on the front edge of the chair

2.        Feet flat on the floor

3.        Back and head are erect

4.        Elbows held slightly away from the body

Embouchure

1.        Top teeth are placed on the mouthpiece about 3/8” down

2.        Chin is flat and pointed down

3.        Very little lower lip is covering the lower teeth; the remainder of the lower lip is visibly stretched down with the chin

4.        Corners of the mouth are held in and firm

5.        Cheeks are held in

6.        Embouchure does not change when moving from one register to another

7.        Upper lip is drawn down against the top of the mouth piece

Breathing

1.        Breathe in through the bottom of the mouth

2.        Expansion is at the belt

3.        Shoulders do not rise when breathing

4.        The complete breathing procedure should be accomplished without tension

5.        Take breaths quickly and quietly

6.        Full, comfortable breaths

Throat Position

1.        Throat should always remain relaxed at all times as if saying “oh”

Tonguing

1.        Front of the tongue touches almost the tip of the reed

2.        The movement is quick and light

3.        The tongue must be relaxed

4.        Movement only occurs at the front of the tongue

5.        Use the syllable “taw” when tonguing

6.        Chin and surrounding area does not move when tonguing

General Reed Treatment

1.        Wet the reed thoroughly from end to end, front and back

2.        After the reed is wet, lay the tip on the flat part of the mouthpiece and rub it gently with the thumb to smooth out the wrinkles

3.        For general use. Line up the tip of the reed with the tip of the mouthpiece, and place it even side to side

4.        Never leave the reed on the mouthpiece

5.        Store reeds in a metal reed guard

6.        Place the ligature on the mouthpiece first, then slip the reed under the ligature

Use Of The Ligature

1.        For general use, the ligature should be placed just below where the cut part of the reed meets the uncut part

2.        Ligature screws are just tight enough to hold the reed

Changing The Strength Of The Reed Without Reed Adjustment

Too Soft:               1.    Raise the reed

2.    Lower the ligature and tighten the lower screw

Too Hard:              1.    Lower the reed

2.    Raise the ligature and tighten the upper screw

Tuning Procedure

Flat:                        1.     Push joints together

2.         Firm up embouchure

3.        Reed may be too soft

4.        Check Barrel

Sharp:                     1.     Pull out at barrel or middle joint

Care Of The Instrument

1.        Swab after every use; pull swab through from the bell

2.        Swab the mouthpiece

3.        Wash the mouthpiece gently once a week with mild soap and cool water

4.        Store the mouthpiece separately in a cloth bag

5.        See your band director or private teacher for key oiling, bore oiling, or any other minor repairs

6.        Use Q-Tips to get dirt from under keys