Have you always wanted to learn a new talent such as playing an instrument? Did you start learning how to play an instrument earlier in life, but haven’t picked it up in years?
It’s never too late to start learning how to play an instrument such as the clarinet or reacquainting yourself with an old instrument.
Playing music requires hand-eye coordination, physical dexterity and motor skills, promotes relaxation, and positively affects thought processes and abilities.
Consider learning the clarinet and experiencing the added benefits of music in your life.
Use the following guide to consider why to choose the clarinet and how to begin to play this great instrument.
Table of Contents
- Is the Clarinet Easy To Learn?
- How To Play the Clarinet for Beginners: 10 Steps for Success
- Let Northwest School of Music’s Experienced Team of Instructors Teach You How To Play the Clarinet
Is the Clarinet Easy To Learn?
One of the most frequently asked questions is, “How hard is it to learn how to play an instrument?”
Learning to play any instrument will take time and practice, but the clarinet is one of the easiest and most popular of the woodwind instruments to begin to learn.
Factors that may increase your success with the clarinet:
- Do you have prior musical experience?
- Do you know how to read music?
- Do you know how to play another instrument, particularly a woodwind instrument?
- How old (mature) are you?
- How great is your interest?
- How much time do you have to dedicate to learning and practicing?
- Where will you learn?
How To Play the Clarinet for Beginners: 10 Steps for Success
#1: Choose a Clarinet
Purchasing a clarinet is a big decision with multiple factors to consider.
If you are shopping as a new or beginner-level student, you may be tempted to rent until you decide you love the instrument and want to continue the commitment to practice and play.
A beginner model should be a B-flat instrument and is constructed of plastic or hard rubber.
Renting vs. buying and factors to consider:
- Renting may be a good option for a younger student who is not sure of their initial commitment or passion.
- Long-term rental fees may add up quickly. An entry-level student clarinet might be purchased for less than the cost of the year’s rental. Many shops offer a rent-to-own option for financing the instrument.
- A carefully chosen student instrument that is properly maintained will retain its value. The instrument can then be resold for a sizable portion of the purchase price if traded for a higher-quality instrument in the future.
- Rental instruments may have wear and tear evident with dents and scratches. Additionally, you are more than likely liable for any damage to a rented instrument.
- Used instruments may need some repairs prior to play, such as replacing the pads under the keys.
- Learning is much easier on a properly maintained instrument rather than one that is in disrepair.
If you are fortunate to know someone with a clarinet they are not currently using, an agreement could also be made between the two of you for borrowing the instrument.
Purchasing a clarinet will have a variety of prices for the level of play. Brand-new student clarinets can be purchased for approximately $400. Anticipate $700 for an intermediate instrument, and $1000+ for a professional clarinet.
#2: Assemble the Clarinet
Upon purchase or rental of your instrument, assembly will be required. The clarinet has five pieces — the mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, lower joint, and bell. You will also need a reed that attaches to the mouthpiece. A soft reed is better (strength 2 or 2.5), as the softness makes it easier to produce sound.
Assembly of the instrument:
- Apply cork grease to the exposed cork areas.
- Attach the bell to the lower joint.
- Attach the lower joint to the upper joint.
- Look for the overlapping bridge keys on both joints to align the pieces correctly.
- Press down on the silver ring around the middle finger hole on the top joint to raise the upper bridge key — it will lay on top of the lower bridge key.
- The barrel then is connected to the upper joint.
- Finally, the mouthpiece is joined with the barrel.
- Use the ligature to tighten the reed into place, leaving enough room at the top for air to travel through the clarinet.
- It is helpful to wet the reed with your tongue before setting it in place. If you play on a dry reed, the sound will be airy and likely to squeak.
Now you’re ready to learn to play!
#3: Learn How To Properly Hold the Clarinet
Sit up tall with good posture and hold the clarinet at a 45-degree angle. Relax your shoulders and round your fingers to naturally hold the clarinet. Hold your head high and forward with the bell of the clarinet reaching just past your knees.
Your left hand should be placed on the upper joint with your four fingers resting on the four keyholes in the front and your thumb on the thumb hole on the back of the instrument.
Your right hand should be placed on the lower joint with the clarinet’s thumb rest sitting gently on your right thumb. Your four fingers should rest on the four keyholes in the front of the clarinet.
#4: Form an Embouchure
Your embouchure is the shape of your lips against the clarinet mouthpiece and helps you produce a steady and stable tone.
How is a proper embouchure formed and developed?
- Place your upper teeth on top of the mouthpiece.
- Your upper lip should be against your teeth, placing a slight downward pressure on the mouthpiece.
- Your lower lip is folded over your bottom teeth without about one-half of the lip in your mouth and the other half out.
- Your chin muscles are pulled down and firm against your chin and bottom teeth.
- The muscles of the corners of your mouth feel a slight feeling of pressing inward (opposite of the feeling and motion of smiling).
#5: Learn How To Properly Blow Into the Clarinet
To properly blow into the instrument and create sound, cover your bottom teeth with your bottom lip gently. Set the reed on your bottom lip and firmly place your top teeth on the mouthpiece.
Your mouth should be in an “O” shape so no air escapes around the mouthpiece. Blow an even, fast, and narrow stream of air. Be sure to be facing forward without puffing your cheeks.
Your lips formed around the mouthpiece (embouchure) and the angle you hold the clarinet are important for the production of quality sound.
#6: Learn Proper Fingering Techniques
Creating and playing notes on the clarinet happens when you blow through the mouthpiece and open or close the holes (keys) with your fingers to change the pitch of the sound created.
Which keys do you press to produce certain sounds?
Cover the thumbhole and press down on particular keys with the placement of your four fingers to practice playing specific notes.
You can use fingering charts from clarinet books or those provided by a music teacher to reference while practicing.
It is helpful to learn one note at a time, practice scales, and develop muscle memory.
#7: Learn To Read Music
Do I need to be able to read music to play the clarinet?
Yes, before playing notes and ultimately music pieces on your clarinet, you must first learn how to read sheet music.
You can learn on your own or take advantage of a music instructor in a group or one-on-one setting.
#8: Practice
Practice is vital for the success of any musician to develop and maintain their skills.
Playing the instrument regularly is the key to developing proficiency and fluency, similar to language skills.
Practicing regularly:
- Develops muscle memory
- Builds discipline, patience, and routine
- Tracks progress in musical ability
- Reinforces current skills and enhances your ability to learn new techniques
- Builds a sense of achievement
- Improves cognitive skills
Musical ability requires time and effort to learn and is easiest to maintain if it becomes part of a routine — but without regular reinforcement of the skills, they will be lost rather quickly.
How long will it take to play a song on the clarinet for beginners, and how much practice will it require?
- Beginner students should anticipate approximately 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice.
- Playing simple tunes may be achieved within a few weeks to months with consistent practice.
#9: Invest in Music Lessons
Children and adults have an infinite number of opportunities in which to fill free time, including sports, school activities, and community/church groups.
So why choose music lessons?
The benefits of music lessons extend far beyond just becoming proficient in an instrument. Some benefits include:
- Enhanced academic performance in school-age children
- Development of fine motor skills
- Improved emotional and mental health
- Boosting self-esteem and confidence to learn new abilities
- Cultivation of social skills in group settings
- Development of self-discipline, work ethic, and patience
Why should I choose Northwest School of Music for my clarinet lessons?
- Northwest School of Music offers an array of music lessons for learners of all ages.
- Qualified music instruction is offered by experienced and trained teachers.
- Parents are encouraged and welcomed to attend the music sessions.
- Private or group lessons are available.
- For optimized instruction time, classes are limited to 10 students.
- We offer age-appropriate programs for all ages, including infants through adults.
- Specialized woodwind teachers are available.
- We offer convenient class schedules including weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays.
- Performance/Recital opportunities are offered throughout the year.
- Desk managers are present in the studio for your convenience and assistance during the week.
#10: Properly Care for Your Clarinet
Your clarinet should be disassembled and cleaned after every use.
Take the clarinet apart piece by piece and thread your cleaning cloth through each individual piece to prevent moisture from accumulating. Secure each piece properly into the protective carrying case.
Additional cleaning and maintenance tips:
- Loosen the ligature, but be careful not to loosen the screws to the point of falling out.
- Remove the reed, pat until dry, and store in the reed case.
- Use a weighted swab and drop the weighted end of the cord through the bell and allow it to fall out of the mouthpiece. Grasp the cord and pull the attached cloth, moving it back and forth to dry the inside of the clarinet.
- Periodically clean around the connection points of the instrument and inside the tone holes where dust particles and saliva can accumulate.
- Be sure to use cork grease if the pieces are difficult to join together.
- Whenever the instrument is not secured in the case, use a stand. Never balance it on the bell or lay it down where it may roll and get damaged.
- At least yearly, have professionals in a music store inspect the instrument to repair pieces or make adjustments as needed.
Let Northwest School of Music’s Experienced Team of Instructors Teach You How To Play the Clarinet
Northwest School of Music was founded in 2006 to provide quality musical education to children and adults. Since 2006, the studio in Salem, Oregon, has grown to provide lessons to over 200 students each week.
Our team of highly skilled, educated, and well-seasoned teachers guarantees you will find and connect with an ideal instructor to reach your musical goals!
Contact us today to unlock your music potential!
