Have you been to a concert and watched in awe as a clarinetist plays a solo? They make it look so easy!
But when you pick up the clarinet yourself, you’re surprised at just how difficult it is to produce any sound at all, let alone a quality sound. Your attempt at making smooth and mellow music sounds more like a duck quacking at the local park.
Whether you’re a beginner wanting to learn how to blow into a clarinet or a practiced musician working to improve your technique, we’ve outlined nine steps to help you produce the polished sound you’re striving for.
Table of Contents
- How To Properly Blow Into a Clarinet: 9 Steps To Producing Quality Sound
- Why Is It So Hard To Blow Into My Clarinet?
- Next Steps After Learning How To Blow Into a Clarinet
- Frequently Asked Questions About Blowing Into a Clarinet
- Learn How To Properly Blow Into a Clarinet and More With Northwest School of Music
How To Properly Blow Into a Clarinet: 9 Steps To Producing Quality Sound
Merely blowing into the clarinet will indeed produce a sound, though likely not a pleasant one.
Making a clarinet produce a beautiful sound involves more than just picking up the instrument and blowing into it. Learning how to blow into a clarinet and produce quality sound includes a variety of skills, from correctly putting the instrument together to perfecting your embouchure, breath control, and more.
#1: Assemble the Clarinet
Before you can play the clarinet, you’ll have to assemble the five pieces correctly. Putting the clarinet together is pretty straightforward, but you’ll want to make sure the pieces are snugly in place and aligned properly.
Perhaps the most crucial part of assembling the clarinet is attaching the mouthpiece and reed correctly. Attach the reed between the ligature and mouthpiece so that the flat part is facing in and the tip of the reed is even with the mouthpiece. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws.
Parts of the Clarinet
- The five basic parts of the clarinet include the:
- Mouthpiece: The top section of the clarinet, which includes the ligature and reed, along with the mouthpiece cover that should be used to protect the reed when not playing
- Barrel: A piece, three to four inches long and slightly flared at one end, that attaches to the mouthpiece
- Top stack: The top part of the main body of the clarinet that contains keyholes and metal keys for the left hand
- Bottom stack: The lower part of the main body of the clarinet with keyholes and metal keys for the right hand as well as the thumb rest on the underside
- Bell: The bottommost part of the clarinet that flares out where most of the air leaves the instrument
#2: Position the Clarinet
To hold the clarinet, follow these simple steps:
- Place your right thumb under the thumb rest on the back of the bottom stack.
- Place the left thumb on the hole on the back of the top stack.
- Place the first three fingers of the left hand on the first three holes of the top stack.
- Place the first three fingers of the right hand on the first three holes of the bottom stack.
#3: Wet the Reed
IIt is essential to wet the reed to produce a nice sound. Not wetting the reed appropriately can result in a squeaky sound.
The moisture on the reed makes it more flexible and responsive, enabling it to vibrate effectively and produce the best sound.
Wet the reed with saliva before you play, or put your reed in a small jar of water.
Reeds are available in different softness sizes from 1 to 2.5, and beginners may want to start with softer reeds and progress to harder reeds as their playing gets stronger.
#4: Check Your Embouchure
Your embouchure is the way you shape your lips and use your facial muscles to create the proper seal on the mouthpiece. Perfecting your embouchure is one of the most important techniques to master when learning how to properly blow into a clarinet and produce a good sound.
Here’s how to position your embouchure:
- Holding the clarinet at a 45-degree angle, place your upper teeth on the top of the mouthpiece. Your lower lip should lightly touch the reed.
- With your upper lip relaxed, allow your bottom lip to form a cushion against the reed, covering about half of it.
- Create a slight angle with your mouth so that air can flow smoothly over the reed. You’ll need to tighten your lips around the mouthpiece to seal the air. When too much air escapes, it will be difficult to make a sound.
It takes lots of practice to understand embouchure and perfect it.
Taking lessons from a clarinet instructor is a great way to learn proper embouchure and make sure you’re getting off to a good start. Instructors can model good technique, suggest alterations, and provide other feedback to help you be the best clarinet player you can be.
Our experienced instructors at Northwest School of Music are ready to help you begin your clarinet-learning journey. Sign up today and get your first lesson free. of Music are ready to help you begin your clarinet-learning journey. Get started today and get your first lesson free.
#5: Take a Deep Breath
This step may seem self-evident, but of course, you need to take a breath before blowing into the clarinet. Learning how to blow a clarinet correctly starts with proper breath support. But the quality of the breath you take can make all the difference in how you blow into a clarinet mouthpiece.
Before blowing, take a deep breath through your nose or mouth to fill your lungs with air. Standing while playing the clarinet may help relax your breathing muscles and open up the lungs and diaphragm to take in more air.
A deep breath gives you the necessary amount and quality of breath you need to provide adequate airflow when playing the clarinet. The correct amount of breath can also help with tone, which we’ll discuss in step #7.
#6: Controlled Exhale
Push a steady, controlled stream of air into the clarinet by gently blowing, utilizing the correct embouchure. Work to keep your lips sealed around the mouthpiece to keep air from escaping. The air should pass between your upper teeth and your lower lip, creating pressure on the reed.
#7: Tone Production
As you blow air into the clarinet with the correct embouchure and air pressure, the reed will vibrate against the mouthpiece, producing sound. This sound can be adjusted by changing the shape and tightness of your embouchure.
Experiment with the force of your exhale, along with the pressure on the reed, to produce the ideal sound.
You might be tempted to puff out your cheeks to push the air through the instrument, but you should work on keeping your cheeks tight for the best tone production.
At first, it might seem awkward to breathe and shape your mouth correctly. It will take some practice to find your sweet spot, but with diligence and perseverance, creating a good tone will eventually become more natural.
#8: Practice
You’ve heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” Well, maybe, or maybe not.
Instead, we like to say, “Practice makes progress.”
Producing a clear and consistent tone on the clarinet takes practice. Take your time to work on the different elements involved in playing the clarinet, holding the instrument, embouchure, breath control, etc., to improve your sound quality.
#9: Maintenance
- A well-maintained instrument produces better sound. Keep your clarinet in good condition by regularly cleaning it and replacing the reed when necessary.
- Follow these care and maintenance instructions to keep your clarinet in top shape:
- After playing, remove the mouthpiece, ligature, and reed from the instrument first.
- Remove moisture by swabbing the clarinet each time you play. Insert the swab into the bell rather than the mouthpiece. Instead, clean the mouthpiece with a tissue.
- Always remove the reed from the mouthpiece, wipe it off, and store it in a reed case.
- Store the mouthpiece with the ligature intact and cover the mouthpiece with the cover.
- Always store your clarinet in the case.
- Wipe moisture off the keys instead of polishing them.
- When putting your clarinet down during practice, always lay it on a flat surface with the keys up, or use a clarinet stand.
Why Is It So Hard To Blow Into My Clarinet?
Difficulty blowing into your clarinet is usually due to the condition of the equipment or the musician’s technique. A damaged mouthpiece, keys, pads, or reeds can make it challenging to produce a good sound.
Additionally, blowing into a clarinet can be hard for beginners who are working on their technique and embouchure. Consistent and disciplined practice will make it easier with each practice session or lesson.
Ready to give clarinet lessons a try? The clarinet instructors at Northwest School of Music are committed to helping you reach your goals in a fun way. We offer individual and group lessons for all sorts of instruments, including woodwinds, brass, strings, and more.
Next Steps After Learning How To Blow Into a Clarinet
Once you’ve mastered the basics of producing a steady sound on the clarinet, you can start focusing on other techniques that will take your playing to the next level.
Fingering
To play the right notes and make them sound the way you want them to, you’ll need to make sure you understand where to place your fingers for each tone. A fingering chart can be indispensable if you’re a beginner.
Once the fingering on the clarinet becomes second nature, you may want to experiment with alternate fingerings to produce a variety of tones. For example, some clarinetists may cover or half-cover low-tone holes when attempting a clear or very soft tone.
Articulation
Articulation may be the key to creating nuances in clarinet playing. Different sounds can be created by how the air is blown through the mouthpiece and how the tongue is employed.
A variety of attacks can be implemented by either blowing air with a “HAAA” or using the tongue to create a “DAAA” or “TAAA” for medium to strong attacks. Playing staccato notes, using the double-tonguing technique, and experimenting with accents are additional ways to change up the clarinet sound.
Tuning
We’ve all experienced listening to instruments that aren’t playing in tune. It’s not pleasant, and at times it can be downright painful.
To play in tune, clarinet players need to know how to adjust their instruments to make the tone either higher or lower.
To lower the pitch, the instrument is effectively lengthened by pulling the barrel out slightly. The opposite is true to make the sound higher: shorten the instrument by pushing the barrel back in slightly.
For fine-tuning while the musician is playing, adjusting the embouchure may be necessary to change the pitches of notes to keep them in tune.
Take Private Lessons
It is possible to learn the clarinet independently. There are numerous resources available, like books and online videos, that can be helpful.
But to correctly learn the fundamentals and be poised to improve your skill, lessons with a private instructor deliver all kinds of benefits.
With a private teacher, you’ll learn the correct techniques from the get-go, get feedback and instruction as you improve, and receive the encouragement needed to stay motivated and disciplined.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blowing Into a Clarinet
How Do You Blow Into a Clarinet for Beginners?
One of the best tips for beginners is to focus on producing a steady, controlled sound rather than trying to play quickly or loudly. Aim to keep your embouchure relaxed but firm, place the mouthpiece properly, and use steady breath support. It also helps sometimes to start with long tones so you can build consistency and get used to how your clarinet responds.
Is a Clarinet Easy To Blow?
At first, playing the clarinet may feel difficult, especially for beginners. You need to find the perfect balance between steady airflow and proper mouth position to get a clear tone. However, with regular practice, it becomes easier and feels more natural as you gain control.
Why Does My Clarinet Sound Airy When I Play It?
If you hear an airy sound when playing your clarinet, it can be because the seal around the mouthpiece is not fully secure or the reed is not vibrating properly. It can also be because of insufficient breath support. Checking your embouchure, reed placement, and airflow control usually helps improve the tone.
How Long Does It Take To Learn the Clarinet Properly?
Everyone learns at their own pace, but most beginners can make a steady sound after practicing regularly for a few weeks. It usually takes a few months of focused practice to develop good tone, finger coordination, and tuning control.
Learn How To Properly Blow Into a Clarinet and More With Northwest School of Music
Whether you’re just beginning to learn proper clarinet technique or looking to take your clarinet playing to the next level, Northwest School of Music offers both private and group lessons designed to help students of all ages reach their musical goals.
If you are still deciding, we can help you choose the right wind instrument that matches your interests and playing style.
The team at Northwest School of Music possesses the experience, knowledge, and skill to teach a wide variety of instruments. Our goal is to share the joy of music in a way that is fun while also helping you realize your musical potential. We offer instruction across many programs, including:
- Voice lessons
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If you’re ready to begin or continue your musical journey, contact us today to get started.
