I started clarinet in 4th grade, had several years of private lessons, played band through my freshman year in college, and then a little "fun" playing until graduating in June 1970. I just turned 73 (yikes!), and after 50+ years of total neglect, picked it up a couple months ago. Not unexpectedly, I didn't remember anything beyond putting it together and couldn't even play a simple scale. The instrument wasn't in much better shape than the player, but got it back a few weeks ago after a complete overhaul. Amazingly, with a lot of persistence and especially your videos, long neglected neurons are once again making the music to fingering connections. It's a slow and painful process, and I hardly need extra frustration, but I'm getting there. I'm still not sure I know where "there" is, but it's coming along. Thanks a bunch!!!
Never stop uploading! Although I switched to a different instrument, clarinet was my first actual exposure to playing music and your videos helped me a lot starting out. Please keep it up to help others like me get into music!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your videos. I am a returning musician after 35 years of being a mom. I play and R13 with an M13L mouthpiece. I used the B45 mouthpiece for a while but found it did not suit me for some reason. It was difficult to get my embouchure back and I don't think I ever will but I sure enjoy playing, now it is my turn to enjoy music. I have 2 kids with music degree and on in the Marine Corp band. So music is priority in our home. I have a tip if you haven't already talked about it, for sore thumbs or hands that don't work as good as they once did I use the E-Tude 3 thumb rest. I know many in my local music world that use this thumb rest for many reasons. For me I could not play with out it.
Great tutorial, I too am returning to playing in my retirement, I had a 23 year break any help or advise will be gratefully received. Keep up the good work, Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2020.
??? Hi Michelle. I am an 81 years old NZ'r and Have fallen in love with the the beautiful sound of the Clarinet. Accepting that regular practice would be required and that I have no access to a tutor, is it possible to use your posts on TH-cam to help me on the way. I have the use of a Clarinet from a friend. Gerard Willemsen.
??? Hi Michelle, Am a senior (very) citizen who returned to clarinet 30 years ago as I approached retirement. Basically play for my own pleasure. Have been studying an approach to Jazz improv called Improvise For Real which had proved to be very helpful. Just purchased a Silverstein Original ligature that I use with an alta ambipoly 3plus reed. Your idea about putting a mouthpiece cushion on the top of my B5 mouthpiece is great. Holds the ligature firm. Thanks. Also, I have arthritis in my right thumb and find the Kooiman Thumb Support to be a great help. Without it, I could not play for more than a few minutes.
The Ton Kooiman thumb rest is a must for clarinet. It positions the right hand perfectly over the keys and makes the clarinet easier to hold and much more comfortable. Wouldn’t play clarinet without it. 😊
I haven't played the clarinet since 4th grade. I've been playing guitar bass drums and all manner of stuff my entire life since then, and it's spoiled me. Clarinet reminded me how hard you have to work for that note. With all this other stuff, you just press the button you hear the note. Clarinet, you have to earn it!
Also, the clarinet I bought is seriously old. I'm sure that makes for a lot of extra work, but that just really drove that lesson home. Also, thank you for the pointers. OXO
Hey Michelle, my name is Doron from Israel and first i would like to thank you a lot for sharing kindly and professional such useful information. I'm MID level Clarinet player and struggled recently 2 issues while playing clarinet: 1. tense lips after 0.5 hour of playing - how can i improve my clarinet lips embouchure (what need to be done as warm up, and what can be done continuously for improving my clarinet lips embouchure) , 2. What will you recommended as new reed break in for before first use? Thx a lot Doron
I had a tendon injury and used the kooiman for 2 years. It was good but if it comes off you have to do lots of loud clicking to put it back on. Not ideal in a performance. Also if you are marching and knock it, it can change position or come off and fall on the floor. You can't stop and pick it up so you have no thumb rest at all. I swapped back to a normal thumb rest after physio etc.
When I was about to go to middle school I decided I wanted to join band and play clarinet, but my teacher wanted me to learn by myself before school starts so I have some experience. But the problem was that every time I played my thumb hurted and it was very hard to blow into the clarinet sebwhen I watched your video I lost all of those problems!!!
???Hi Michelle, I have been reading and listening your comments and suggestions since returning to the clarinet. I took lessons until college, when my studies made it increasingly difficult, although I did continue to play with a pianist friend. In the early 2000's I turned to Jazz and have been working at it since, although finding a Jazz clarinet teacher is not easy. At your suggestion, last year I purchased a Silverstein Works Original ligature and, at their suggestion, a 3 .5 Alta Ambipoly reed.. Since that did not work as well as I had hoped, I purchased a 3 plus and 3 plus Primo. I would like to know how shifting the ligature up and down, and placing it at different points on the reed can change the response of the reed. Now that you are on the Silverstein list, I was wondering if you would be willing to offer advice. Larry
Allan from the UK. My Question is how do professional clarinet players break in a new reed especially if they need to change over just before a concert,when I change to a new reed it takes awhile to get a decent sound again. Thank you.
I have a question I dont know if its answered already.. so on my clarinet, in the F A C E thing, my C sounds like a B in the E G {B} D F thing. I think I'm doing it right as I played in class today and it was working fine, the notes were different, but when I got home and tried to play , the notes sounded the same. Do you know what could be the problem..?
I don't know if this makes sense but if anyone sees this I have a concert tomorrow and whenever I'm playing a high note it just stops playing and no air will go through the instrument and it feels like I'm just playing into it closed off at the bottom
So I use a three strength Reed and I can play the clarian register pretty good, but in altissimo I can't get past an E. Should I switch to a 3 1/2, or a 4 maybe?
I really need a “personal coach”? to teach me clarinet like you 😂 I couldn’t know what’s my problem and how to solve it while playing clarinet, really need help
I started clarinet in 4th grade, had several years of private lessons, played band through my freshman year in college, and then a little "fun" playing until graduating in June 1970. I just turned 73 (yikes!), and after 50+ years of total neglect, picked it up a couple months ago. Not unexpectedly, I didn't remember anything beyond putting it together and couldn't even play a simple scale. The instrument wasn't in much better shape than the player, but got it back a few weeks ago after a complete overhaul. Amazingly, with a lot of persistence and especially your videos, long neglected neurons are once again making the music to fingering connections. It's a slow and painful process, and I hardly need extra frustration, but I'm getting there. I'm still not sure I know where "there" is, but it's coming along. Thanks a bunch!!!
Never stop uploading! Although I switched to a different instrument, clarinet was my first actual exposure to playing music and your videos helped me a lot starting out. Please keep it up to help others like me get into music!
hope all is well with you miss you.. hope you continue to make videos..very informative and you're a great teacher....
Thanks and greetings from Prague (CZ).
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your videos. I am a returning musician after 35 years of being a mom. I play and R13 with an M13L mouthpiece. I used the B45 mouthpiece for a while but found it did not suit me for some reason. It was difficult to get my embouchure back and I don't think I ever will but I sure enjoy playing, now it is my turn to enjoy music. I have 2 kids with music degree and on in the Marine Corp band. So music is priority in our home. I have a tip if you haven't already talked about it, for sore thumbs or hands that don't work as good as they once did I use the E-Tude 3 thumb rest. I know many in my local music world that use this thumb rest for many reasons. For me I could not play with out it.
Great tutorial, I too am returning to playing in my retirement, I had a 23 year break any help or advise will be gratefully received. Keep up the good work, Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2020.
??? Hi Michelle. I am an 81 years old NZ'r and Have fallen in love with the the beautiful sound of the Clarinet. Accepting that regular practice would be required and that I have no access to a tutor, is it possible to use your posts on TH-cam to help me on the way. I have the use of a Clarinet from a friend. Gerard Willemsen.
??? Hi Michelle, Am a senior (very) citizen who returned to clarinet 30 years ago as I approached retirement. Basically play for my own pleasure. Have been studying an approach to Jazz improv called Improvise For Real which had proved to be very helpful. Just purchased a Silverstein Original ligature that I use with an alta ambipoly 3plus reed. Your idea about putting a mouthpiece cushion on the top of my B5 mouthpiece is great. Holds the ligature firm. Thanks. Also, I have arthritis in my right thumb and find the Kooiman Thumb Support to be a great help. Without it, I could not play for more than a few minutes.
The Ton Kooiman thumb rest is a must for clarinet. It positions the right hand perfectly over the keys and makes the clarinet easier to hold and much more comfortable. Wouldn’t play clarinet without it. 😊
I'm so glad you started where you did, Michael, Chicago.
I haven't played the clarinet since 4th grade. I've been playing guitar bass drums and all manner of stuff my entire life since then, and it's spoiled me. Clarinet reminded me how hard you have to work for that note. With all this other stuff, you just press the button you hear the note. Clarinet, you have to earn it!
Also, the clarinet I bought is seriously old. I'm sure that makes for a lot of extra work, but that just really drove that lesson home. Also, thank you for the pointers. OXO
I too have switched to Legere European cut synthetic reed!
Best tips ever! Thank you!
Thank u for such awesome videos !!
I'm glad you find them helpful, Nolan.
Thanks a lot, it’s very helpful
Thanks, Elena!
Merry Christmas Michelle 😜😜
Hey Michelle, my name is Doron from Israel and first i would like to thank you a lot for sharing kindly and professional such useful information. I'm MID level Clarinet player and struggled recently 2 issues while playing clarinet: 1. tense lips after 0.5 hour of playing - how can i improve my clarinet lips embouchure (what need to be done as warm up, and what can be done continuously for improving my clarinet lips embouchure) , 2. What will you recommended as new reed break in for before first use? Thx a lot Doron
I had a tendon injury and used the kooiman for 2 years. It was good but if it comes off you have to do lots of loud clicking to put it back on. Not ideal in a performance. Also if you are marching and knock it, it can change position or come off and fall on the floor. You can't stop and pick it up so you have no thumb rest at all. I swapped back to a normal thumb rest after physio etc.
When I was about to go to middle school I decided I wanted to join band and play clarinet, but my teacher wanted me to learn by myself before school starts so I have some experience. But the problem was that every time I played my thumb hurted and it was very hard to blow into the clarinet sebwhen I watched your video I lost all of those problems!!!
Michelle, are there current links to some of your worksheets
???Hi Michelle, I have been reading and listening your comments and suggestions since returning to the clarinet. I took lessons until college, when my studies made it increasingly difficult, although I did continue to play with a pianist friend. In the early 2000's I turned to Jazz and have been working at it since, although finding a Jazz clarinet teacher is not easy. At your suggestion, last year I purchased a Silverstein Works Original ligature and, at their suggestion, a 3 .5 Alta Ambipoly reed.. Since that did not work as well as I had hoped, I purchased a 3 plus and 3 plus Primo. I would like to know how shifting the ligature up and down, and placing it at different points on the reed can change the response of the reed. Now that you are on the Silverstein list, I was wondering if you would be willing to offer advice. Larry
Allan from the UK.
My Question is how do professional clarinet players break in a new reed especially if they need to change over just before a concert,when I change to a new reed it takes awhile to get a decent sound again. Thank you.
Hello, i was wondering if you have any tips for tongue and finger coordination? this is one of my biggest issues with playing the clarinet.
I have a question I dont know if its answered already.. so on my clarinet, in the F A C E thing, my C sounds like a B in the E G {B} D F thing. I think I'm doing it right as I played in class today and it was working fine, the notes were different, but when I got home and tried to play , the notes sounded the same. Do you know what could be the problem..?
Is there going to be a Portland Clarinet Festival in 2020?
Can you make a video explaining how to use the BG Duo ligature please thanks
th-cam.com/video/k70W62b8Qg4/w-d-xo.html This video has a bit of a review of this ligature.
Hi Michelle, Do you tongue on every quarter note that is not slurred?
Dan
hi! have great time watching your video,
Does one need a different mouthpiece withe the French cut
I don't know if this makes sense but if anyone sees this I have a concert tomorrow and whenever I'm playing a high note it just stops playing and no air will go through the instrument and it feels like I'm just playing into it closed off at the bottom
So I use a three strength Reed and I can play the clarian register pretty good, but in altissimo I can't get past an E. Should I switch to a 3 1/2, or a 4 maybe?
It is always worth experimenting to see if it helps. I wouldn't jump a full strength, but perhaps get a couple of 3.5 and see how it works.
How to choose a mouthpiece?
lol i know this is really late but i have a solo coming up and i have to stand up to play it :( but everytime i stand up i cant play the high notes
Have not played in 45 yrs how should I start
Why don't you use your Silverstein ligature anymore?
In 6th grade, 50 years ago, my music teacher wanted me to use "plastic" reeds. Don't know the brand tho.
I use these www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000Y01V7C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I currently use the Legere European cut reeds. Silverstein makes some that people like as well.
I really need a “personal coach”? to teach me clarinet like you 😂 I couldn’t know what’s my problem and how to solve it while playing clarinet, really need help
Do you like Legere european signature reeds???
HEADS UP - this seems to be mostly about synthetic reeds, not natural reeds.