I played the clarinet for 7 years in school and was always either first or second chair. Because I used to be so good, I thought picking it up again after a decade of not playing would be easy. But it's not!! I'm having to re-learn the instrument I used to be so attached to. Your video is a great reminder of all the exercises I used to do and need to be doing again! Thank you for teaching us!
04/30/21 I am a 52 year old guitar player and recently acquired a clarinet. Thanks to your and other videos I’m able to make some sound at least. Thanks for the reminder about warming up properly, it’s definitely something that is a good practice to start out with when starting a new instrument. It’s also a reminder that I need to warm up properly when playing guitar or piano.
You are awesome, I am learning so much watching your videos. Thanks for making these. I am a complete newbie to clarinet but it really speaks to me. I am surprised how much I love learning to play it.
Dear Michelle, what a find! All your wonderful clarinet lessons online. I took up the clarinet in my mid fifties and now, at 71, I am trying to make up for lost time (not practising). Your lessons are SUCH an encouragement. Thanks a million. Susie M.
You are awesome. Thank you for your videos I’m almost 40 years old and I used to play the clarinet when I was young I missed the love I had for this instrument and watching just a few of your videos gives me hope I’m not to late, I can’t afford private lessons or have the time with two teenagers and a wife, your videos are so informational and I will support this channel for sure and get back my happiness I once had, thank you again.
I’m a woodwind doubler and play a variety of different clarinets, flutes & saxophones. I also teach (40 plus years). This is great ! Lot’s of good ideas here ! Thanks!
Thank you, MIchelle. This warm-up issue is a problem I was almost completely unaware that I had. Coming back to playing after a long time away due to illness, I thought it would all just come back, but it doesn't. Little reminders is all I need, and your videos are great for that. A mighty thank you from me.
Thank you so much for these videos. I've just picked up the clarinet again after 40 years of not playing, having failed grade 4 at 13 years old! I'm really enjoying beginning the journey again, and you are a great support as I make my first tentative steps back into learning the clarinet. This warm up video is so useful. Thanks for being a great teacher.
Thanks for your excellent advices ! I am a 70 years old clarinet student enjoying one of my hobby, the clarinet. About your advices on warming-up, I was doing most of it, but not exacly like you explain it. I will spend more time on each exercice, do it with more attention and benefit more from it. Your expanations openned my mind on the importance on the WAYS you do the exercices and the TIME spent on each.
***** You are not alone - I hear regularly from several "mature" people who are either beginning the clarinet, or returning to it (or who have been playing for years). Most are coming back to it after a long absence and doing very well.
I played more than 50 years ago (I'm 71)and have just started again. So much that I forgot and your videos are so helpful. In restoring my tone and fingering
I am a very newcomer to the clarinet and enjoyed the simple informative help that is carried in a warm manner. I am learning all the time and eagerly await the time I can switch on and learn more. I like very much the manner the lessons are carried out. Raymond Miles
I like your videos because I tend to learn new things and work really hard on the little details that you give us and I usually play better! Thank you!
Thank you for this video Michelle. Over the last 2 years I have been so busy, and I decided to save time by spending less time (and sometimes even no time), on my warm-up when practising my clarinet, and now I have noticed a huge decline in the standard of my playing, so, this morning I again logged into the mentors programme…this video is the one I searched for and the tips are what I needed to see and hear. You are so positive, and I know that spending the time on a thoughtfull warm-up will, quite quickly improve my standard of playing and hence, my joy in playing and making music, cheers, Nerrida
I'm going into 6th grade next year and I decided to do something I never thought I was gonna do and it is band and I looked up clarinet videos and I saw yours and I've been watching them since about March and they are very helpful Thank you so much for all the videos they truly make me want to play in the band even more
I play the Chromatic Harmonica and always warm up my harmonica. I go through scales . But I never warm up my brain so thank you. I'm also learning the Clarinet Duet.
Listening by improvising beautiful rhythmic tones between silences is my biggest challenge. Better hand position, breathing, embouchure & tonguing are suddenly on my Improvement Path, thanks to you, Michelle! , You ask for Warm-Up practices we find transformative: I like to paint & draw, so ... Visualize the 24 Major/minor arpeggios, including their 7ths (and key signatures) as a 12 spoke, COLORED WHEEL, slowly rotating high on the wall across room. GREAT PAYOFF quickly arrives, every time, when IMAGINING & EXPLORING, WITHIN & ACROSS the 12 VECTORS of the Cycle of 5ths ( its never the same ). Though having an easy-to-read Cycle of 5ths diagram on the music stand for reference, I look away from it while playing, instead BEING IMAGINATIVE & MINDFUL. Starting with diagrams from the web, my Warm-Ups quickly revealed (and continue to reveal) musical relationships that charm me into drawing my own Cycle of 5ths...helping to internalize knowledge so that (and to paraphrase you): "Things happen "AUTOMAGICALLY".
I just found this and love what you're putting out. One thing that I learned early in such a airflow and volume warmup is that increasing diaphragm control to keep the timbre correct, you must maintain very good control of the embouchure because, as witnessed in your example on open G, you tightened the jaw slightly and the note went sharp. It took me a very long time to get that relationship to be automatic (diaphragm/air to embouchure).
i played a 10minute warmup before my regular training because I saw this video! and wow it made a difference! I payed much more attention into everything I was supposed to do!
+asdisasdisasdis That is really good to hear. Thanks for taking the time to write. I think that making this into a regular habit can have a profound difference over time.
+Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Yes, I'm definately going to make this a habit, but when I take a class I have a maximum of 2 minutes to warmup, is that enough?
Great content with an engaging communication style. I will start using these ideas tonight with my non-clarinet instruments. (Clarinet arriving soon) Thanks.
Another great video! I love the way you explain things, very clear, very detailed advice. Your videos make me want to play this wonderful instrument! Thank you!
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Hi Michelle, thank you for your reply. Yes i do enjoy it since i started getting your lessons through youtube, My learning have accelerated thanks so much to you. I also play a bit different style of clarinet im not sure if you familiar with that. it is Turkish and Greek style clarinet and one of my Best turkish player is Husnu Senlendirici, if you get a chance youtube his clips, I thank you again for your reply.
Thanks Michele, for you video today, I like the way you keep it simple. I tend to forget still, after days or weeks of not practicing. The fingering for A,B, and C, because I found that I am using sax fingering on the clarinet. I have to remember as I start playing that if I don't get all of the fingers involved with those notes, practice is limited. So I get to laugh at myself which is , I guess a good thing in itself. Brian
Thankyou, Michelle. I always look forward to your lessons. This one is particularly useful to me, a relative beginner, as my softer notes are definitely "fuzzy*. Oh..Happy New Year!
Hey Michelle, thanks for the videos; they REALLY help me. I just have this one thing. I have decided to start practicing tonguing more. As far as playing the notes on the clarinet, i have reached the super high A ( after adjusting my mouth and tongue and air a few times) but up to the high F, i have no problems. My issue is that i have a bit of trouble when it comes to tonguing. Sometime i record myself just to hear how the note sounds to see if i going ok. To me it sounds good but there tends to be like a lil fight within my mouth when attempting to tongue lol. This 'fight' revolves around my air flow when i move my tongue to the tip of the reed. If i play a long note, all is well, move my tongue, it's as though my tongue affects it. I have done a few low notes fairly well ( im aiming to do better ) but i have that issue MORE when it come to the high notes (as well as the notes close to the break), especially the high C ( thumb and register key). Any tips or guidelines you can give for beginner tonguing (like a really good break down) ? Thanks. :)
Hi Michelle, I would like to take this moment and thank you so much for putting out all these educational videos. These have helped me tremendously over the past few weeks as I've been learning my new clarinet. Specially, all the videos on getting the correct embouchure really helped me get actual sound come out of the instrument (i.e., no frustrations any more :)). I still can't hit the high notes accurately (i.e. without squeaks) 100% of the time, but I'm improving. Over the past few days I've followed through your tip in this video on starting the practice session by holding a note, and it seems to be helping me with the high frequency ones (today I was better at it than yesterday, hopefully tomorrow I'll be better yet :)). Also, going from reed strength 2 to 3 (in some other video) was also a good tip. Again, thanks much and looking forward to all the future videos.
I'm glad these videos are helping. It is much easier to play when you know how to fix the things that usually frustrate us. That's what these videos try to help with!
I'm glad that you enjoyed this. It is one of my favourite videos here, because often people don't think about this. These concepts sure help my own playing.
Great stuff!! I'm a more advanced player, and I found a lot of things that I actually do, and some I don't. My warm up typically consists of fifteen minutes. I normally first warm up my chalumeau register first, normally playing a Bb, lower Eb, and lower F scales, where each note is eight counts and I do a crescendo from pianissimo to fortissimo for four counts, and the other four counts I decrescendo from fortissimo to pianissimo. This part of my warm up is built to help me open up my throat to create a darker, fuller sound. Next, I warm up both my clarion and altissimo registers with the same method, and same goal (dark sound). The final part of my warm up is to warm up my fingers and tonguing. This for me, unfortunately, is the weakest part of my warm up, as my fingers tend to slow down and become rather sluggish (I'm more of a lyrical player than technical), and my tongue starts to get out of sync with my fingers. I actually would like to know if you have a video addressing this problem, but if not, I would like to request it. Anyway, that's my warm up, and I would like to thank you for showing a few more things to add to my warm up!!! ;)
Cody Kight Hi Cody. It sounds like you have a great warm-up routine. Good for you! I have a tonguing video that may give you some ideas on how to improve tonguing speed, and also the syncronization of tongue and fingers.th-cam.com/video/26VnRcLNRSI/w-d-xo.html This presents an exercise that may seem very basic, but it is extremely effective. Try it for about 2 weeks, and see if you notice a difference. Exercise 3 on the worksheet is the one that really helps things get more in sync. You can use that same technic on any tongues passage in your music where you find they don't line up. I find that after doing this exercise a few times and then trying it full speed again, it almost always solves the problem. I hope this helps!
Hello and thank you for the tips I'd like to know if the Backun's 12 days of Christmas thing is already over. Ik that its really late but its still worth asking. I'm yearning for a professional model Clarinet
What is relationship between gyming (going to gym and hold heave weight) and playing clarinet ? What is the effect of gyming ? Is gyming good for our fingers or is effect our fingers in a bad side and make them rough ? Thanks for your respond
Hi! I really like your videos and have a question: Could you someday make a video about the difference between boehm/german system? Because I noticed you only use Boehm clarinets.In Germany for example, the other system is more common, esp. for classical music. thx!
Jackinators Let's Play-Oase Hi - I have hear from several German clarinetists that they are using a different system. I have not tried the German system, so I don't feel qualified to make a video on this. I hope someone does!
As with all instruments - and, come to that, every complex skill I've ever learned - the more solid you get the very basic skills, the easier even the most complex aspects become. You can't even build a garden shed on a flaky foundation, let alone a skyscraper!
Is there a similar fingering for the excercise with the undertone for oehler system? Because with this, even if I blow slowly there is only a undertone on a bad reed but Not on a normal or good one
Would have been nice if she said the name of the notes when she showed the fingering for the high note because I play German system and I don’t know which note it was
I'm not michelle, but I can answer you're question. The minor scale is kind of like a creepy major scale in that it sounds more spooky and shady, and it is divided into 3 kinds: the natural, harmonic, and melodic kind. The most basic is the natural, and one way of thinking about it is basically you take the major scale and add 3 flats/ take away 3 sharps from the key signature (F major has 1 flat (Bb) and f minor has 4 flats (Bb,Eb,Ab,Db)). Another way of thinking about it is playing the major scale but flatting the 3rd, 6th, and 7th. (Both of these methods are for finding the parallel minor, or the minor with the same starting pitch as the major but different key) And even another way of thinking about it is to take a major scale's key, and go down to the 6th. If you stay in the key and go up from the 6th to the 6th and octave higher and stay in that key, that is also a way of finding the minor scale (This is the relative minor scale, or the scale with the same key as the major but different starting pitch/tonic). These are all for finding the natural minor scale. An example is c minor: C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C As far as the other 2 types of minor, harmonic is like a natural minor but you don't flat the 7th: C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,B,C (notice the B is not Bb). The melodic minor is weird. When going up, it's like a natural minor, but you don't flat the 6th or 7th (or like the major scale with just a flat 3rd), but when going down, you go back to the natural minor: C,D,Eb,F,G,A,B,C(melodic)(notice the Ab and Bb turn into A and B) and then going down: C,Bb, Ab, G,F,Eb,D,C. The pentatatonic scale is just any scale with 5 notes (penta=5), but there are 2 main kinds: Anhemitonic and Hirotoshi. Both kinds use the following notes out of a scale: 1,2,3,5, and 6, or Do, Re, Mi, So, and La if you use solfege. The Anhemitonic follows the major scale's pitches (C,D,E,G,A,C) and the Hirotoshi follows the natural minor scales (C,D,Eb,G,Ab,C) Out of these, you're most likely to find real-world applications of the melodic minor scale and Anhemitonic pentatonic scale. Hope this helps, and if you have more questions, just ask. Hope this didn't confuse you too much, haha.
+K Harris (Kckool13) hi thank you so much from ur teaching, anyway let me study 1st what u said and will ask you for the point that i dont understand or will ask another question
Hello! ive been playing the clarinet for about 7 years (4th grade - now) and last year i changed mouthpiece from yamaha 4c to a b45. ive also recently (last month) moved from 3.5 to 3.5+ (v12's). i find my tone is less airy and easier to play on my 4c than my b45, but i really want to use my b45 since i saved up for it myself, any tips? thanks in advance!
I find that mouthpieces respond very differently for each person. That is why I never recommend "one" mouthpiece to my students. Generally, the Vandoren one would be considered a step up from your Yamaha, however, it might be that that size is not a good fit for you. You might prefer a Vandoren M13, or M30…Having said that, each mouthpiece can use a different reed strength. The B45 might be sounding airy because it needs a stiffer reed. For a fair comparison, you want to test it with the 3.5 and see if that makes a difference. Sometimes (rarely), a mouthpiece will warp, or develop a small chip at the tip which would make it fuzzy. Most music stores will let you play test a variety of mouthpieces. It might be interesting to go in and try a few different ones (maybe including a new B45) just to see what suits your mouth, and also to determine if your B45 is typical. Without seeing them, I can't tell you for sure, but my guess is that although the B45 is a good mouthpiece, it may not be the best fit for you.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) alrighty! thanks for your input. Unfortunately I have an audition this thursday for high school chair placement, and I won't be able to get a new mouthpiece nor different sized reeds. I did watch your video regarding embrochure and it has made my tone better!
I used to play on the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and I moved up to the Vandoren 5RV. It feels really similar to the 4C so it might work out for you better than the B45. I too tried out the B45 and I found my tone really airy. I Hope this helps.
I got one question. To warm your clarinet up one has to play many tones but my warm-up routine starts very low and goes up very high to c```. Now the problem. The first round the c``` is very squirkey and doesn`t sound that well.(And it is quite awkward when you play in an orchestra). Do have suggestions?
I believe there is a book of clarinet exercises that is considered a classic. If you know the name, I would appreciate having it. Thanks for all you do for us.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) hello Michelle! Thank you so much for your great videos! I have a question. Does it make a difference, starting to learn the clarinet on a relatively affordable plastic clarinet as opposed to an intermediate wooden clarinet (in mind the yamaha 550AL allegro)? I come from the oboe, and on oboes there is a world of difference between student models and intermediate models... just wondering... tnx in advance! 😊
I use a Yamaha 4cm on my clarinets I have three, and I tried Vanduran M30 and M15 and I go back to the 4cm for tuning and easy playing for all of them. Even the Yamaha 4c is the best buy @ 39.95. I paid 130.00 for the Vanduran M30 and it is not as good for me.
I just bought my 1st clarinet - Raymound of Paris. I decided to take up learning the clarinet in my 50's. I bought #3 Vandoren reeds. I just today hit the open G note from watching your videos. Great information. I never learned music notation. My dad gave me a clarinet when I was 7 and I traded it away for a pizza. What mouthpiece is best for my clarinet? It has a Palomino right now. Thanks.
I know that Artistworks offers lessons with Ricardo Morales and does take video reviews. They are mostly aimed at university level students. You can also look at Play With A Pro, and you'll find many excellent teachers that offer Skype lessons. That might give you even better feedback than sending in a video and waiting for a response.
Hello, Michelle! I need your help. I'm a beginner clarinetist. When I'm playing the clarinet I do pressure on my throat. After playing it my throat hurts. What I'm doing wrong? I asked this to my clarinet teacher before, who by the way is not a clarinetist, and didn't give me any solution.
Hi - Sometimes this is caused by too much back pressure. You are blowing harder than the air can move into the instrument. You want to make sure that you aren't "biting" on the reed, which restricts air flow. Try bringing the corners of your mouth more firmly in. Also, the long tones on this video may help since they train you to move less air more quickly. I'm not sure if this is causing your throat to hurt, but that is usually the main cause. I hope that helps!
I wouldnt necessarily call this "warming up". Probably something like technical excercises. You could use them to "warm up" for a performance but this is just one aspect of practicing
I am 65 years old and i played the clairinet in school that was in the 60s and 70s a few years after highschool i sold my clairinet then when i was in my 50s i bought a used clairinet i could play a few things i couldn't remember all the fingering then my roommate stole it i didn't have any interest in playing untill mow so i bought a 99 dollar clairinet on amazon either i can't play anymore or it is the clairinet i can play the first few notes with the left hand but when i play the lower notes witj tbe right hand it sounds funny and the silver key below tbat doesn't soumd right i can't even play the higher notes i need help lol
Teh Weiyunn You want to make sure that the basics are set up properly. I have a set of videos attached to an ebook that may help you. You can download it at: www.clarinetmentors.com/resources/HowToPlayClarinetForBeginners.pdf
There's nothing 'clickbaity' about it - it's a completely accurate title. If you haven't worked it out, the most important thing is using your warm-up to . . . train your mind!
I played the clarinet for 7 years in school and was always either first or second chair. Because I used to be so good, I thought picking it up again after a decade of not playing would be easy. But it's not!! I'm having to re-learn the instrument I used to be so attached to. Your video is a great reminder of all the exercises I used to do and need to be doing again! Thank you for teaching us!
Just dug my clarinet out after 8 years. Very useful tips for getting back into the swing. Thank you
this channel has teached me more than my band instructor for of middle school and half of high
04/30/21 I am a 52 year old guitar player and recently acquired a clarinet. Thanks to your and other videos I’m able to make some sound at least. Thanks for the reminder about warming up properly, it’s definitely something that is a good practice to start out with when starting a new instrument. It’s also a reminder that I need to warm up properly when playing guitar or piano.
I'm so proud that she is mentoring me at my school, it's so awesome!
I'm jealous
@@elizabethgordon8029 ha yes
You are awesome, I am learning so much watching your videos. Thanks for making these. I am a complete newbie to clarinet but it really speaks to me. I am surprised how much I love learning to play it.
Thanks Michelle. I have learnt a lot from this video
Dear Michelle, what a find! All your wonderful clarinet lessons online. I took up the clarinet in my mid fifties and now, at 71, I am trying to make up for lost time (not practising). Your lessons are SUCH an encouragement. Thanks a million. Susie M.
You are awesome. Thank you for your videos I’m almost 40 years old and I used to play the clarinet when I was young I missed the love I had for this instrument and watching just a few of your videos gives me hope I’m not to late, I can’t afford private lessons or have the time with two teenagers and a wife, your videos are so informational and I will support this channel for sure and get back my happiness I once had, thank you again.
Joey Liiun I’ll support you with this ! Music is an amazing thing to have in your life ^^
TY! I am committed to good habits as I begin my clarinet lessons!
I’m a woodwind doubler and play a variety of different clarinets, flutes & saxophones. I also teach (40 plus years). This is great ! Lot’s of good ideas here ! Thanks!
Thank you, MIchelle. This warm-up issue is a problem I was almost completely unaware that I had. Coming back to playing after a long time away due to illness, I thought it would all just come back, but it doesn't. Little reminders is all I need, and your videos are great for that. A mighty thank you from me.
Thank you so much for these videos. I've just picked up the clarinet again after 40 years of not playing, having failed grade 4 at 13 years old! I'm really enjoying beginning the journey again, and you are a great support as I make my first tentative steps back into learning the clarinet. This warm up video is so useful. Thanks for being a great teacher.
Thanks for your excellent advices ! I am a 70 years old clarinet student enjoying one of my hobby, the clarinet. About your advices on warming-up, I was doing most of it, but not exacly like you explain it. I will spend more time on each exercice, do it with more attention and benefit more from it. Your expanations openned my mind on the importance on the WAYS you do the exercices and the TIME spent on each.
***** You are not alone - I hear regularly from several "mature" people who are either beginning the clarinet, or returning to it (or who have been playing for years). Most are coming back to it after a long absence and doing very well.
I played more than 50 years ago (I'm 71)and have just started again. So much that I forgot and your videos are so helpful. In restoring my tone and fingering
Very well thought out Michelle thanks!🙏🏻🙏🏻
A wonderful training , Michelle!
I am a very newcomer to the clarinet and enjoyed the simple informative help that is carried in a warm manner. I am learning all the time and eagerly await the time I can switch on and learn more. I like very much the manner the lessons are carried out. Raymond Miles
Thanks so much, Raymond. You can find many other videos here:members.clarinetmastery.com/
Amazing! This helped me so much I am really getting to be a much better clarinetist because of your videos! 😄
I like your videos because I tend to learn new things and work really hard on the little details that you give us and I usually play better! Thank you!
+Joseph Austin Faircloth I'm glad this is helpful. Those little details do make a difference!
Just come back to the clarinet, and this has really helped me
Thank you for this video Michelle. Over the last 2 years I have been so busy, and I decided to save time by spending less time (and sometimes even no time), on my warm-up when practising my clarinet, and now I have noticed a huge decline in the standard of my playing, so, this morning I again logged into the mentors programme…this video is the one I searched for and the tips are what I needed to see and hear. You are so positive, and I know that spending the time on a thoughtfull warm-up will, quite quickly improve my standard of playing and hence, my joy in playing and making music, cheers, Nerrida
I'm going into 6th grade next year and I decided to do something I never thought I was gonna do and it is band and I looked up clarinet videos and I saw yours and I've been watching them since about March and they are very helpful
Thank you so much for all the videos they truly make me want to play in the band even more
Morgan Sibbrell Thanks for the kind words. I hope you really enjoy band. It was one of my favorite activities in school.
Thanks Michelle the warm up info is really great,jim
I play the Chromatic Harmonica and always warm up my harmonica. I go through scales . But I never warm up my brain so thank you. I'm also learning the Clarinet Duet.
Listening by improvising beautiful rhythmic tones between silences is my biggest challenge. Better hand position, breathing, embouchure & tonguing are suddenly on my Improvement Path, thanks to you, Michelle! ,
You ask for Warm-Up practices we find transformative: I like to paint & draw, so ...
Visualize the 24 Major/minor arpeggios, including their 7ths (and key signatures) as a 12 spoke, COLORED WHEEL, slowly rotating high on the wall across room. GREAT PAYOFF quickly arrives, every time, when IMAGINING & EXPLORING, WITHIN & ACROSS the 12 VECTORS of the Cycle of 5ths ( its never the same ). Though having an easy-to-read Cycle of 5ths diagram on the music stand for reference, I look away from it while playing, instead BEING IMAGINATIVE & MINDFUL.
Starting with diagrams from the web, my Warm-Ups quickly revealed (and continue to reveal) musical relationships that charm me into drawing my own Cycle of 5ths...helping to internalize knowledge so that (and to paraphrase you): "Things happen "AUTOMAGICALLY".
Thanks for the help. My tutor suggested I think about a warmup routine for next lesson so this was timely.
I hope this gives you some good ideas for creating your own routine.
Wow thank you I’ve been playing for over 2 years now and this is still super useful and I’m really glad you do this videos.
I just found this and love what you're putting out.
One thing that I learned early in such a airflow and volume warmup is that increasing diaphragm control to keep the timbre correct, you must maintain very good control of the embouchure because, as witnessed in your example on open G, you tightened the jaw slightly and the note went sharp. It took me a very long time to get that relationship to be automatic (diaphragm/air to embouchure).
i played a 10minute warmup before my regular training because I saw this video! and wow it made a difference! I payed much more attention into everything I was supposed to do!
+asdisasdisasdis That is really good to hear. Thanks for taking the time to write. I think that making this into a regular habit can have a profound difference over time.
+Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Yes, I'm definately going to make this a habit, but when I take a class I have a maximum of 2 minutes to warmup, is that enough?
I think starting with a really mindful warmup, regardless of how long you have makes a big difference. You can always do more at home.
thank you, I'm used to no warmup because I never knew what to do, I was never taught any warmup or so, but thank you
I love the huffing tip, it has helped a lot with my tone quality and being able to play more quietly, just complete control over my air
Great content with an engaging communication style.
I will start using these ideas tonight with my non-clarinet instruments. (Clarinet arriving soon)
Thanks.
Hey Michelle, just wanted to say your tutorial videos are awesome. In every video, you share tips that are so important for playing in general. (;
Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm glad you find value in these videos.
Another great video! I love the way you explain things, very clear, very detailed advice. Your videos make me want to play this wonderful instrument! Thank you!
Thanks Lena. I hope that you are enjoying your clarinet.
Thank you Michelle Anderson, your lessons help me so much you are the best teacher i have seen, God bless you
Ashor Khamis Thanks for the kind words. I hope you are enjoying your clarinet.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Hi Michelle, thank you for your reply. Yes i do enjoy it since i started getting your lessons through youtube, My learning have accelerated thanks so much to you. I also play a bit different style of clarinet im not sure if you familiar with that. it is Turkish and Greek style clarinet and one of my Best turkish player is Husnu Senlendirici, if you get a chance youtube his clips, I thank you again for your reply.
Thanks for the reference. I will definitely listen.
I adore Michelle's approach - what a fund of practical tips!
Thanks Michele, for you video today, I like the way you keep it simple.
I tend to forget still, after days or weeks of not practicing. The fingering for A,B, and C, because I found that I am using sax fingering on the clarinet. I have to remember as I start playing that if I don't get all of the fingers involved with those notes, practice is limited. So I get to laugh at myself which is , I guess a good thing in itself. Brian
Thankyou, Michelle. I always look forward to your lessons. This one is particularly useful to me, a relative beginner, as my softer notes are definitely "fuzzy*. Oh..Happy New Year!
You give so many great tips!
Hey Michelle, thanks for the videos; they REALLY help me. I just have this one thing. I have decided to start practicing tonguing more. As far as playing the notes on the clarinet, i have reached the super high A ( after adjusting my mouth and tongue and air a few times) but up to the high F, i have no problems.
My issue is that i have a bit of trouble when it comes to tonguing. Sometime i record myself just to hear how the note sounds to see if i going ok. To me it sounds good but there tends to be like a lil fight within my mouth when attempting to tongue lol. This 'fight' revolves around my air flow when i move my tongue to the tip of the reed. If i play a long note, all is well, move my tongue, it's as though my tongue affects it.
I have done a few low notes fairly well ( im aiming to do better ) but i have that issue MORE when it come to the high notes (as well as the notes close to the break), especially the high C ( thumb and register key). Any tips or guidelines you can give for beginner tonguing (like a really good break down) ? Thanks. :)
Hi Michelle, I would like to take this moment and thank you so much for putting out all these educational videos. These have helped me tremendously over the past few weeks as I've been learning my new clarinet. Specially, all the videos on getting the correct embouchure really helped me get actual sound come out of the instrument (i.e., no frustrations any more :)). I still can't hit the high notes accurately (i.e. without squeaks) 100% of the time, but I'm improving. Over the past few days I've followed through your tip in this video on starting the practice session by holding a note, and it seems to be helping me with the high frequency ones (today I was better at it than yesterday, hopefully tomorrow I'll be better yet :)). Also, going from reed strength 2 to 3 (in some other video) was also a good tip. Again, thanks much and looking forward to all the future videos.
I'm glad these videos are helping. It is much easier to play when you know how to fix the things that usually frustrate us. That's what these videos try to help with!
Hi Michelle,
Can you do a video about vibrato? ;)
Chanty.PR Chanty I think Backun has a video about it.
Thank you Michelle,, awesome ... I want ask you some think , how about Notch Stacatto?
thank you for the great video! this was very insightful and helpful !
I really enjoy your videos !
I'm glad that you enjoyed this. It is one of my favourite videos here, because often people don't think about this. These concepts sure help my own playing.
As ever, really useful tips . Many thanks.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this.
Hello. I wanted to know if you can do a video on your Clarinet set up(Brand, Barrel etc)?
Great stuff!! I'm a more advanced player, and I found a lot of things that I actually do, and some I don't. My warm up typically consists of fifteen minutes. I normally first warm up my chalumeau register first, normally playing a Bb, lower Eb, and lower F scales, where each note is eight counts and I do a crescendo from pianissimo to fortissimo for four counts, and the other four counts I decrescendo from fortissimo to pianissimo. This part of my warm up is built to help me open up my throat to create a darker, fuller sound. Next, I warm up both my clarion and altissimo registers with the same method, and same goal (dark sound). The final part of my warm up is to warm up my fingers and tonguing. This for me, unfortunately, is the weakest part of my warm up, as my fingers tend to slow down and become rather sluggish (I'm more of a lyrical player than technical), and my tongue starts to get out of sync with my fingers. I actually would like to know if you have a video addressing this problem, but if not, I would like to request it. Anyway, that's my warm up, and I would like to thank you for showing a few more things to add to my warm up!!! ;)
Cody Kight Hi Cody. It sounds like you have a great warm-up routine. Good for you! I have a tonguing video that may give you some ideas on how to improve tonguing speed, and also the syncronization of tongue and fingers.th-cam.com/video/26VnRcLNRSI/w-d-xo.html This presents an exercise that may seem very basic, but it is extremely effective. Try it for about 2 weeks, and see if you notice a difference. Exercise 3 on the worksheet is the one that really helps things get more in sync. You can use that same technic on any tongues passage in your music where you find they don't line up. I find that after doing this exercise a few times and then trying it full speed again, it almost always solves the problem. I hope this helps!
Thanks!
This is an excellent video of yours!!
I have learned so much from your videos. Thanks so much.
Hello and thank you for the tips I'd like to know if the Backun's 12 days of Christmas thing is already over. Ik that its really late but its still worth asking. I'm yearning for a professional model Clarinet
Thank you for this very useful video.
As soon I notice a problem, I play the problem carefully ten times.
What is relationship between gyming (going to gym and hold heave weight) and playing clarinet ? What is the effect of gyming ? Is gyming good for our fingers or is effect our fingers in a bad side and make them rough ? Thanks for your respond
Do you have an exercise book that you would recommend?
Brendan Berry Rose 32
Good warm up is to play a c scale and holding each note for a specific count like 4 6 or even 8.
Hi! I really like your videos and have a question: Could you someday make a video about the difference between boehm/german system? Because I noticed you only use Boehm clarinets.In Germany for example, the other system is more common, esp. for classical music. thx!
Jackinators Let's Play-Oase Hi - I have hear from several German clarinetists that they are using a different system. I have not tried the German system, so I don't feel qualified to make a video on this. I hope someone does!
Thanks for your help i really appreciate
Thank you so much! This helped me a lot:) Cheers!
I love this channel!
CanadianBullFrog Thanks! I love your TH-cam name and logo!
Thanks. :) Made it myself. I play clarinet by the way and find your channel very informative. Keep up the good work :)
As with all instruments - and, come to that, every complex skill I've ever learned - the more solid you get the very basic skills, the easier even the most complex aspects become.
You can't even build a garden shed on a flaky foundation, let alone a skyscraper!
I wish I could play Michelle's 4/10 warm-up.
super ! interesting and practical
Is there a similar fingering for the excercise with the undertone for oehler system? Because with this, even if I blow slowly there is only a undertone on a bad reed but Not on a normal or good one
Thanks a lot
It was so Useful
I'll do it
Would have been nice if she said the name of the notes when she showed the fingering for the high note because I play German system and I don’t know which note it was
I'm doing a 1-minute long tone (straight) at school for a test, we are allowed to breath a couple of times. How can I not use a lot of breaths?
Yuritzi Reyes it's been two years. How did it go?
Violin warm up
hi Ms.Michelle,
could u help me know what are the Minor scales and the pentatonic scale??
I'm not michelle, but I can answer you're question. The minor scale is kind of like a creepy major scale in that it sounds more spooky and shady, and it is divided into 3 kinds: the natural, harmonic, and melodic kind. The most basic is the natural, and one way of thinking about it is basically you take the major scale and add 3 flats/ take away 3 sharps from the key signature (F major has 1 flat (Bb) and f minor has 4 flats (Bb,Eb,Ab,Db)). Another way of thinking about it is playing the major scale but flatting the 3rd, 6th, and 7th. (Both of these methods are for finding the parallel minor, or the minor with the same starting pitch as the major but different key) And even another way of thinking about it is to take a major scale's key, and go down to the 6th. If you stay in the key and go up from the 6th to the 6th and octave higher and stay in that key, that is also a way of finding the minor scale (This is the relative minor scale, or the scale with the same key as the major but different starting pitch/tonic). These are all for finding the natural minor scale.
An example is c minor: C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C As far as the other 2 types of minor, harmonic is like a natural minor but you don't flat the 7th: C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,B,C (notice the B is not Bb).
The melodic minor is weird. When going up, it's like a natural minor, but you don't flat the 6th or 7th (or like the major scale with just a flat 3rd), but when going down, you go back to the natural minor: C,D,Eb,F,G,A,B,C(melodic)(notice the Ab and Bb turn into A and B) and then going down: C,Bb, Ab, G,F,Eb,D,C.
The pentatatonic scale is just any scale with 5 notes (penta=5), but there are 2 main kinds: Anhemitonic and Hirotoshi. Both kinds use the following notes out of a scale: 1,2,3,5, and 6, or Do, Re, Mi, So, and La if you use solfege. The Anhemitonic follows the major scale's pitches (C,D,E,G,A,C) and the Hirotoshi follows the natural minor scales (C,D,Eb,G,Ab,C)
Out of these, you're most likely to find real-world applications of the melodic minor scale and Anhemitonic pentatonic scale.
Hope this helps, and if you have more questions, just ask. Hope this didn't confuse you too much, haha.
+K Harris (Kckool13) hi thank you so much from ur teaching, anyway let me study 1st what u said and will ask you for the point that i dont understand or will ask another question
Hello! ive been playing the clarinet for about 7 years (4th grade - now) and last year i changed mouthpiece from yamaha 4c to a b45. ive also recently (last month) moved from 3.5 to 3.5+ (v12's). i find my tone is less airy and easier to play on my 4c than my b45, but i really want to use my b45 since i saved up for it myself, any tips? thanks in advance!
I find that mouthpieces respond very differently for each person. That is why I never recommend "one" mouthpiece to my students. Generally, the Vandoren one would be considered a step up from your Yamaha, however, it might be that that size is not a good fit for you. You might prefer a Vandoren M13, or M30…Having said that, each mouthpiece can use a different reed strength. The B45 might be sounding airy because it needs a stiffer reed. For a fair comparison, you want to test it with the 3.5 and see if that makes a difference. Sometimes (rarely), a mouthpiece will warp, or develop a small chip at the tip which would make it fuzzy. Most music stores will let you play test a variety of mouthpieces. It might be interesting to go in and try a few different ones (maybe including a new B45) just to see what suits your mouth, and also to determine if your B45 is typical. Without seeing them, I can't tell you for sure, but my guess is that although the B45 is a good mouthpiece, it may not be the best fit for you.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) alrighty! thanks for your input. Unfortunately I have an audition this thursday for high school chair placement, and I won't be able to get a new mouthpiece nor different sized reeds. I did watch your video regarding embrochure and it has made my tone better!
I used to play on the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and I moved up to the Vandoren 5RV. It feels really similar to the 4C so it might work out for you better than the B45. I too tried out the B45 and I found my tone really airy. I Hope this helps.
Can you do a video with Gruppettos?
I like to do a chromatic scale from low E to really high f
Thank you . 😀 .
I got one question. To warm your clarinet up one has to play many tones but my warm-up routine starts very low and goes up very high to c```. Now the problem. The first round the c``` is very squirkey and doesn`t sound that well.(And it is quite awkward when you play in an orchestra). Do have suggestions?
I believe there is a book of clarinet exercises that is considered a classic. If you know the name, I would appreciate having it. Thanks for all you do for us.
There are a few classics. They include the Baermann, Klose and Opperman methods. Many people also used the Rubank method by Voxman.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) hello Michelle! Thank you so much for your great videos! I have a question. Does it make a difference, starting to learn the clarinet on a relatively affordable plastic clarinet as opposed to an intermediate wooden clarinet (in mind the yamaha 550AL allegro)? I come from the oboe, and on oboes there is a world of difference between student models and intermediate models... just wondering... tnx in advance! 😊
what kind of clarinet do you play on?
My Bb clarinet is a Buffet R13 with Backun barrels and bells.
I also play on an r 13 and plan on upgrading my barrel to a backun. thanks for all of your hellp!
I use a Yamaha 4cm on my clarinets I have three, and I tried Vanduran M30 and M15 and I go back to the 4cm for tuning and easy playing for all of them. Even the Yamaha 4c is the best buy @ 39.95. I paid 130.00 for the Vanduran M30 and it is not as good for me.
Greg Catanza
I swear by the practice of eating a pre-warm-up sleeve of saltines.
Lmao I love this
I just bought my 1st clarinet - Raymound of Paris. I decided to take up learning the clarinet in my 50's. I bought #3 Vandoren reeds. I just today hit the open G note from watching your videos. Great information. I never learned music notation. My dad gave me a clarinet when I was 7 and I traded it away for a pizza. What mouthpiece is best for my clarinet? It has a Palomino right now. Thanks.
Your very encouraging
Is there a place where I can send a video of me playing and someone can tell me what they think?
I know that Artistworks offers lessons with Ricardo Morales and does take video reviews. They are mostly aimed at university level students. You can also look at Play With A Pro, and you'll find many excellent teachers that offer Skype lessons. That might give you even better feedback than sending in a video and waiting for a response.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thanks.
Hello, Michelle! I need your help. I'm a beginner clarinetist. When I'm playing the clarinet I do pressure on my throat. After playing it my throat hurts. What I'm doing wrong? I asked this to my clarinet teacher before, who by the way is not a clarinetist, and didn't give me any solution.
Hi - Sometimes this is caused by too much back pressure. You are blowing harder than the air can move into the instrument. You want to make sure that you aren't "biting" on the reed, which restricts air flow. Try bringing the corners of your mouth more firmly in. Also, the long tones on this video may help since they train you to move less air more quickly. I'm not sure if this is causing your throat to hurt, but that is usually the main cause. I hope that helps!
Thank you very much! :-)Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson)
Could anyone know what type/Model of flute she use
I play on a Backun clarinet currently. Some of my older TH-cam videos feature a Buffet R13. In both cases, I have Backun barrels and bells.
My ligature keeps sliding off the mouthpiece and I’m so confused on what to do.
Luis Gatos are you able to tighten it or turn it upside down
Tighten it..?
Thank you.
Merci !
Thanks
useful information
I wouldnt necessarily call this "warming up". Probably something like technical excercises. You could use them to "warm up" for a performance but this is just one aspect of practicing
I play a random warm up by playing 2 or 3 full songs before my practice piece.
Cool.
I am 65 years old and i played the clairinet in school that was in the 60s and 70s a few years after highschool i sold my clairinet then when i was in my 50s i bought a used clairinet i could play a few things i couldn't remember all the fingering then my roommate stole it i didn't have any interest in playing untill mow so i bought a 99 dollar clairinet on amazon either i can't play anymore or it is the clairinet i can play the first few notes with the left hand but when i play the lower notes witj tbe right hand it sounds funny and the silver key below tbat doesn't soumd right i can't even play the higher notes i need help lol
Sometimes you can find decent instrument s at pawn shops. I bought my exercise books used on eBay.
Hello,michelle
I blow the mouthpiece but always wrong..
Why will like that??
Sorry my english not so good..
Teh Weiyunn You want to make sure that the basics are set up properly. I have a set of videos attached to an ebook that may help you. You can download it at: www.clarinetmentors.com/resources/HowToPlayClarinetForBeginners.pdf
Ok thanks =)
... Rhapsody in Blue opener
one thing at a time, thats so key
I recemend a channel called clarifed he is a really good song teacher
🤥😌
sympa .
very clear, nice job Ksaxman.com
Franse
WHY IS YOUR BARLE SOOOO BIG
She talks too much.
Then don't watch.
Clickbaity title but I forgive you this time
There's nothing 'clickbaity' about it - it's a completely accurate title. If you haven't worked it out, the most important thing is using your warm-up to . . . train your mind!
Ur talk makes bore....plz minimise ur talk n com to d point