Clarinet For Dummies

Want to play the clarinet? No problem! This hands-on guide teaches you all the fundamental techniques you need to play this popular woodwind alone or in a group setting.

Clarinet For Dummies gives you the ideal introduction to play clarinet. You?ll begin by learning how to properly hold a clarinet and move on to getting a consistent sound, reading music, and playing songs in a variety of styles, including classical, pop, and jazz.

• Step-by-step instruction on finger placement, posture, and basic up-keep for the instrument
• Tips on how to buy or rent a clarinet
• Accompanying CD offers play-along recordings of every exercise featured in the book

Whether you?ve never held a clarinet or are looking to brush up on skills from your youth, Clarinet For Dummies is packed with friendly, easy-to-follow instructions to have you playing this versatile instrument with ease!

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Introduction 1

Part I: Tuning Up with the Basics 7

Chapter 1: So You Want to Play the Clarinet 9

Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Clarinet 23

Chapter 3: Picking the Right Clarinet for You 37

Chapter 4: Grasping the Basics of Musical Notation 59

Chapter 5: Assembling, Cleaning, and Caring for Your Clarinet 83

Part II: And a One, and a Two, and a Three: Getting Started 97

Chapter 6: Getting Your Body, Lungs, and Lips in the Game 99

Chapter 7: Playing Your First Notes 111

Chapter 8: Heading Lower, Higher, and In Between 129

Chapter 9: Playing Between the Notes: Slurring and Tonguing 147

Chapter 10: Rising Above and Beyond High C 167

Part III: Above and Beyond: Essential Intermediate Techniques 179

Chapter 11: Achieving a Great Clarinet Tone 181

Chapter 12: Shaking It Up with Vibrato, Glissandos, Bends, and Scoops 193

Chapter 13: Taking Your Fingers to the Next Level: Additional Fingerings 205

Chapter 14: Turbo Tonguing and Faster Fingering 215

Chapter 15: Tuning Up for Proper Pitch 225

Chapter 16: Heading to the Practice Studio 239

Chapter 17: Refining Your Reeds 257

Chapter 18: Gaining Expertise and Exposure through the Clarinet Community 287

Part IV: The Part of Tens 297

Chapter 19: Ten Insider Secrets to Great Clarinet Playing 299

Chapter 20: Ten (Plus) Clarinetists You Gotta Hear 305

Part V: Appendixes 313

Appendix A: Fingering Charts 315

Appendix B: About the CD 317

Index 323

David Etheridge is the David Ross Boyd Professor of Clarinet, Chair of the Woodwind Area, and member of the Oklahoma Woodwind Quintet at the University of Oklahoma. He has taught clarinet for over 45 years.

Learn to:

• Develop proper finger placement and posture
• Play your first notes and move on to advanced techniques
• Maintain perfect pitch as you play
• Tune your clarinet

Your hands-on guide to mastering the most popular woodwind

Want to play the clarinet? No problem! This hands-on guide teaches you all the techniques you need to play this popular woodwind alone or in a group setting. You'll begin by learning how to properly hold a clarinet and move on to getting a consistent sound, reading music, and playing songs in a variety of styles, including classical, pop, and jazz.

• Get keyed up — explore the anatomy of the clarinet and grasp the basic concepts of playing the instrument, from using the mouthpiece and reed to fingering keys
• Read all about it — get a primer on how to read music or take a quick refresher course to sharpen your skills
• Clarinet care 101 — understand how to properly assemble, clean, store, maintain, and repair your clarinet
• Start making some noise — get expert tips and techniques on breathing and posture, hand position, and lip and mouth placement
• Hit the high notes — take your skills to the next level to master intermediate techniques to reach high notes and add speed to your tonguing and improve your fingering

Open the book and find:

• Tips for picking the right clarinet for you
• Guidance on renting versus buying
• Descriptions, illustrations, and exercises
• How to tune up for the proper pitch
• Warm-ups, scales, and studies to develop your skills
• Fingering charts
• Ten bad habits to avoid
• Tips for adjusting your reeds to suit your playing