For more detailed instruction, be sure to view the Video Lessons in your Tradition of Excellence INTERACTIVE Practice Studio. Lessons are available every time you see this icon.
reed (not shown)
Assembly
1) Put the thin end of the reed in your mouth to moisten it. Grease the corks if necessary.
MOUTHPIECE
ligature
tenon cork
BARREL
tenon cork
UPPER SECTION
register key (not shown)
bridge keys
thumb rest (not shown)
tone hole rings
tone hole rings LOWER SECTION
tenon cork
2) Push and twist the bell onto the lower section.
3) Press down the tone hole rings to lift the bridge key on the upper section. Hold the lower section with your palm on the pad cups. Gently twist together the sections, aligning the bridge keys.
4) Twist the barrel onto the upper joint. Make sure the bridge keys stay aligned.
pad cups
tenon cork
BELL
5) Insert the mouthpiece into the barrel. Align the open, flat side of the mouthpiece with the register key.
6) Put the ligature onto the mouthpiece. Loosen the ligature screws, slide it up slightly, and slip the reed behind it. Slide the ligature down.
7) Center the reed on the mouthpiece with a hairline of mouthpiece visible above the reed. Tighten the screws on the ligature only until snug.
Posture & Hand Position
1) Sit up straight at the edge of your chair with your feet flat on the floor.
2) Relax your body. Keep your chin parallel to the floor and your elbows away from your body.
3) Place your right thumb under the thumb rest. Keep your thumb straight. Place your left thumb over the thumbhole at a 45-degree angle.
4) Hold the clarinet directly in front of you with the bell near your knees.
5) Curve your fingers on both hands to form a relaxed “C,” as if holding a tennis ball. Keep your wrists straight.
Forming an Embouchure & Making a Tone
1) Remove the mouthpiece and barrel from the clarinet.
2) Slip a piece of paper between the reed and the mouthpiece, sliding it down toward the barrel until it stops.
3) Put the tip of your thumb just under the imaginary line created by the paper. This line shows where your lower lip should be placed.
4) While holding your thumb in place on the reed, remove the paper. Form a good embouchure by shaping your mouth as if saying “whee”while you say “too.”
5) Cover your bottom teeth with a small amount of your lower lip.
6) Place the mouthpiece in your mouth so your lower lip bumps against your thumb. Rest your top teeth directly on the mouthpiece. Close your lips like a drawstring. Your chin should be flat and pointed. Use a mirror to check your embouchure.
7) Take a full breath of air through your mouth and play a long, steady F #
8) Complete the Mouthpiece Workout by watching the video lesson and playing along with the recorded accompaniment (see the inside back cover for details).
Daily Care & Maintenance
1) Remove the ligature and reed. Place the reed in a reed holder to dry. Never store it on the mouthpiece.
2) Remove each section and carefully swab out each one. Wipe off the tenon corks and joints.
3) Wipe the outside of the clarinet with a soft, clean cloth.
4) Each time you finish caring for a part of the clarinet, return it to its proper place in the case. Latch the case.
Student Book Musical
music alphabet – first seven letters of the alphabet; these note names are assigned to the lines and spaces of the staff
Use the audio, video, and extras provided in your Tradition of Excellence INTERACTIVE Practice Studio to enhance every practice session. See the inside back cover for more information.
1. The “E” Express u How is your posture? 2. “D”-termination u Are you using plenty of air? 3. Music in Motion u Are you playing with a good embouchure? 4. “C” Spot Run u How is your hand position?
5. Mr. Whole Note Takes a Walk u Write the note names beneath the music before you play.
music alphabet – first seven letters of the alphabet; these note names are assigned to the lines and spaces of the
Use the audio, video, and extras provided in your Tradition of
practice session. See the inside back cover for more information.
Up ‘n’ Down ‘n’ Up u Are you playing with a good embouchure? 4. Up We Go u How is your hand position?
5. All Together, Now! u Write the note names beneath the music before you play.
1. Woodwinds Unite u How is your posture?
2. Stepping Up u Are you using plenty of air?
3.
Student Book Musical Examples
music alphabet – first seven letters of the alphabet; these note names are assigned to the lines and spaces of the staff
= number of counts per measure = type of note (q ) that gets one count Time Signature
Use the audio, video, and extras provided in your Tradition of Excellence INTERACTIVE Practice Studio to enhance every practice session. See the inside back cover for more information.
1. Away We Go! u How is your posture?
2. Going Up? u Are you playing with a steady air stream to produce a smooth, even sound?
3. Count Me In u 1) Write the counting under the music. 2) Clap the rhythm. 3) Sing the notes using “too,” the note names, or solfège. 4) Play!
4. Higher Ground u Are you playing with a good embouchure?
5. Moving Around u Write the note names beneath the music before you play.
6. Clarinet Private Lesson u Here is how to draw a treble clef. u Draw eight treble clefs on your own. Be sure they circle the second (G) line. 1) 2)
Terms & Symbols
breath mark – take a breath
sight-reading – playing or singing a piece of music for the first time
Theory & Composition
duet – piece of music featuring two different parts played or sung together harmony – two or more notes played or sung at the same time
u 1) Write the counting and clap the rhythm before you play. 2) Play on the note E (Concert D).
Book Musical Examples
sight-reading
Half Note Rock 10. Sight-Reading Challenge: Steppin’ u Always carefully inspect music before you sight-read it.
duet, harmony
El Camino Mariachi — Duet u Count, clap, sing, and play! The B part is shaded for easier reading.
4TEST
u Practice with the recorded accompaniment. Listen in measures 1, 3, 5, and 7. In measures 2, 4, 6, and 8, echo what you heard. Your starting notes are shown.
7. Deep Breaths
Cuckoo Traditional
Rhythm
quarter note = 1 count of sound in 4 4
quarter rest = 1 count of silence in 4 4 counting 1 2 3 4 other counting
14. Rhythm Time u 1) Write the counting and clap the rhythm before you play. 2) Play on the note E (Concert D). Rhythm StudieS: p. 44, #5-17
15. Rising Rhythms u Start each note by whispering the word “too.”
16. Stepping Stones u Keep the air moving.
17. Rain, Rain Traditional
&4 4
18. In a Minor Mood u Count, clap, sing, and play!
&4 4
19. Hot Cross Buns
&4 4
20. Go Tell Aunt Rhodie
&4 4
21. Clarinet Private Lesson u 1) Draw a treble clef at the beginning of the staff. 2) Trace the notes and rests, and draw three more of each.
