Clarinet is a single-reed woodwind instrument used orchestrally and in military and brass bands and possessing a distinguished solo repertory. It is usually made of African blackwood and has a cylindrical bore of about 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) terminating in a flared bell. All-metal instruments are made but are little used professionally. The mouthpiece, usually of ebonite (a hard rubber), has a slotlike opening in one side over which a single reed, made from natural cane, is secured by a screw clip, or ligature, or (in earlier times and still often in Germany) by string lapping. The player grips the mouthpiece, reed down, between his lips or lower lip and upper teeth.
The invention of the clarinet in the early 18th century is ascribed to Johann Christoph Denner, a renowned woodwind maker in Nürnberg.
One of the benefits of learning the clarinet (and many other woodwind & brass instruments) is the fact it can improve your fitness and health. Bet you didn’t think of that! Playing the clarinet requires your full lung capacity and is one of the most important skills when playing a woodwind instrument. You need to be able to control your breathing, which requires a strong core. The constant breathing exercise is also like a workout for you lungs and diaphragm. To help with your breathing, it also helps to have good posture. This in turn helps to strengthen your core muscles. It’s not as easy as you think.
There are a lot of keys on the clarinet, much more than the 3 valves on a trumpet. Playing the clarinet will help your hand-eye coordination immensely. If you have ever watched a clarinet player, you might’ve noticed that their fingers move crazily quick. This takes time and practice. You have to move them in the right order, whilst also reading the music, thinking about your embouchure and all the different techniques, and also your posture. There’s a lot of multitasking involved.
The clarinet is a popular instrument in the music world, and is required in many bands, such as orchestras, meaning you’ll most likely have the chance to join a band. Being in a band is more than just music. It has a massive social side to it, and can be great fun and a stress relief from everyday life. You’ll be going to rehearsals, gigs, social events, and might even get to travel! Being in a band will also help your teamworking skills, which is very important. You need to be able to listen to other people, and not just yourself.
Clarinets, thankfully, can be packed up nicely into a small portable case which can be carried around pretty much anywhere. Unlike a trombone, or keyboard, you can easily stick your clarinet on your shoulder or into your bag and you can be on your way to rehearsals, no problem! It’s also quite a light instrument compared to others, and doesn’t require massive strength to be able to carry it or hold it when playing. Great for little arms and beginners!
You want to play jazz? Great! You want to play classical music? Great! You want to play folk music? Great! Do you like standing out on stage? Perfect! Do you like blending into the background? No problem. The clarinet can be played in many different genres of music. So, if you’re not sure what kind of music you want to play, you won’t be restricting your possibilities in the future.
Although clarinets can be expensive, especially when you start advancing onto professional models, when learning to play the clarinet, it won’t break the bank. A Student Bb Clarinet is normally UNDER $300! It is perfect for beginners, and comes with everything you need to get playing straight away!
Private lessons can be a great adjunct to school band programmes. If your child’s interest is waning or you think he may be bored join up for some private lessons. We’ve seen students regain their enthusiasm for music through a few private lessons and gone to the top of the class at school. There’s nothing like good progress and sense of personal achievement to simulate interest.
Clarinet can be tricky to make a note in the beginning. It requires the proper embouchure (mouth & lip position) and good deal of breath control using the player’s diaphragm. It is best learn from around 7-8 years of age.
Adults can also happily learn clarinet and thoroughly enjoy it! Once you’ve gained a few skills adults can join local community band for beginners. These are a great way to share the pain and the gain of learning an instrument as an adult!
The rhythm of learning never stops.