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All about the ClarinetAll about the Clarinet

Ms. Jackie BretzMs. Jackie BretzNinth gradeNinth grade

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The Clarinet The Clarinet FamilyFamily

There are many other types of clarinets There are many other types of clarinets other than the Bb. Each is a different other than the Bb. Each is a different size and played in a different key.size and played in a different key.

Eb soprano minor 6th higher

Bb soprano major 2nd lower

A soprano minor 3rd lower

Eb alto major 6th lower

Bb bass 8ve+major 2nd lowerEb contra alto 8ve+major 6th lowerBb contra bass 2 8ve+major 2nd lower

More photos of the family

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Parts of the clarinet

ligature

reed mouthpiece

barrel

upper joint

lower joint

keys

bell

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The reed There are many different types of

reeds made by different companies. No two reed are exactly the same, and one must spend several years to find which type works with their mouthpiece and embouchure, and it may even take hours to find which reeds in a box work as well.

The reed needs to retain water in order to work, and must always be soaked before and after play. Saliva eats away at the reed and soaking before and after eliminates this problem.

------- Heel

Tip---------Centerpoint-------

----- ShoulderHeart----------

-

-------Beginning of the cut

Stock-----

More about reeds

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Posture

Head In natural, forward position: bring the instrument to

you, don’t go to the instrument. Shoulders

Up and slightly back, but relaxed. Elbows

Free from the body, but relaxed. Body

Erect without being uncomfortable. Instrument

Centered on the body: 35-40 degrees. Chair

Turned to the music stand so bell does not move across legs.

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AssemblyAssembly

Put the reed in waterPut the reed in water Cork grease all of the corksCork grease all of the corks Properly assemble the lower joint to the Properly assemble the lower joint to the

bell, and the upper joint to the lowerbell, and the upper joint to the lower Hold with the right, assemble with the Hold with the right, assemble with the

leftleft Assemble mouthpiece to barrel, and Assemble mouthpiece to barrel, and

then to clarinetthen to clarinet Ligature and reed properly placed on Ligature and reed properly placed on

mouthpiece mouthpiece

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Disassembly and Disassembly and CleaningCleaning

Put the reed in water.Put the reed in water. Mouthpiece, barrel, and ligature removed Mouthpiece, barrel, and ligature removed

and set aside.and set aside. Swab lower sections, holding the lowest.Swab lower sections, holding the lowest. Upper and lower sections and bell removed Upper and lower sections and bell removed

and tenon areas wiped.and tenon areas wiped. Bell section tenon receiver wiped.Bell section tenon receiver wiped. Mouthpiece and barrel swabbed.Mouthpiece and barrel swabbed. Tenon areas of mouthpiece and barrel wiped.Tenon areas of mouthpiece and barrel wiped. Body and mechanisms wiped with a clean, Body and mechanisms wiped with a clean,

dry cloth.dry cloth.

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EmbouchureEmbouchure

Mouthpiece in mouth: lower lip is placed at or in front of the Mouthpiece in mouth: lower lip is placed at or in front of the mouthpiece-reed fulcrum.mouthpiece-reed fulcrum.

Top teeth touch the top of the mouthpiece approximately ½ Top teeth touch the top of the mouthpiece approximately ½ inch inn from the tip.inch inn from the tip.

The middle of the red of the lower lip is at the front edge of The middle of the red of the lower lip is at the front edge of the lower teeth. The reed vibration takes place on the red the lower teeth. The reed vibration takes place on the red and partially the white of the lower lip.and partially the white of the lower lip.

After the mouthpiece has been placed inside the mouth, After the mouthpiece has been placed inside the mouth, bring the corners forward to the sides of the mouthpiece to bring the corners forward to the sides of the mouthpiece to seal about the reed-mouthpiece combination.seal about the reed-mouthpiece combination.

You must be able to “point” your chin to flatten and firm the You must be able to “point” your chin to flatten and firm the facial mask to provide a firm, but flexible table for reed facial mask to provide a firm, but flexible table for reed vibration.vibration.

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Hand position and fingerings Right thumb

Middle of thumb rest at the cuticle. Left thumb

Pad on ring, diagonal across clarinet. Side of tip touching the register key.

Fingers Right and left little fingers touch guide keys. Thumbs and

forefingers form “U” shape. Finger pads cover tone holes. Index finger of left hand touches A and Ab keys. Index finger of right hand touches Eb/Bb key.

Register key Opened by breaking thumb joint.

Right hand side keys Operated by side of index finger with minimal movement

away from the guide position in the other fingers. Wrists

Left wrist is flat. Right is slightly broken.

Clarinet Fingering Chart

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Tuning Reed

Hard is sharp, soft is flat. Mouthpiece in Mouth

Too little is sharp, too much is flat. Clarinet/body angle

Too close is sharp, too far out is flat. Mouthpiece

Close tip opening is sharp, open tip opening is flat. Dynamics

Diminuendo is sharp, crescendo is flat. Voicing

Raising position of tongue in mouth is sharp, lowering is flat.

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Playing ranges of the clarinet

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Relating second and third registers to the first/fundamental register

8 Major 2nd/octave 7 Minor 3rd (flat) 6 Minor 3rd

5 Major 3rd

4 Fourth/Octave 3 Fifth 2 Octave 1 Fundamental

The second and third registers are called the Clarion and Altissimo/High registers.

The first register is called the Chalumeau.

The clarinet produces odd partials only.

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Reading musicReading music

Being able to read music is a very Being able to read music is a very important factor in playing an instrument.important factor in playing an instrument.

Now let’s play a game to help with note Now let’s play a game to help with note memorization!memorization!

note pair free flash gamenote pair free flash game