Now that you have learned and solidified the proper embouchure using only the mouthpiece and barrel, it is time to put the clarinet together and make some real clarinet sounds! Remember what your director or private instructor taught you about proper assembly of the instrument – we don't want an incorrectly assembled instrument getting in the way of our great tone! And be sure your instrument is in good working order. Old pads, bent keys, and cracks in the body are just some things that can have a negative effect on your sound. If your instrument hasn't been in for repairs in a while, or you think something might be wrong with the instrument itself, see your director, private instructor, or local repair shop for help with this.
Beginning Band / Method Book Notes
If you already are or plan on being in your school's band program, chances are you have or will receive a beginning method book. These books are designed so that students on ALL instruments can learn and play together on similar notes as they start their adventures in band! The first of these notes are usually, in concert pitch, B-flat, C, D, E-flat, and F. On the clarinet, this translates to C, D, E, F, and G, which also happen to be the perfect starting notes for the instrument! You may have already learned how to play these notes and what they look like on the music staff, but in case you haven't you can learn that here as well! As you work your way down this set of 5 notes, when playing each note remember to take a deep breath, re-form the "A-Q" embouchure, and blow with the same amount of air pressure you would use to blow out birthday candles. Examples of each note are available for you to listen to in order to get the correct sound in your ear, and you can even play along with the video to help you match the pitch and sound you are hearing.
As you are practicing and playing your first 5 notes, what do you hear? Are you matching pitch and sound and playing with the best tone possible? Or do you hear a lot of rushing air, squeaks and squawks, or thin and pinched sounds? If you need to, re-visit the Troubleshooting section of the Embouchure page until you are able to master the correct tone of these 5 notes on the clarinet!
Flying Along! ...
Now that you have mastered your first notes on the clarinet, it is time to go over some information regarding Intonation!