Accent On Achievement, Book 1 (Bb-Klarinette): B-flat Clarinet Book & Online Audio/Software & German Insert

Accent on Achievement stands out because it treats beginner clarinet students as musicians from day one, not just note-readers. The method integrates exercises with actual musical contexts, and the inclusion of online audio and software support means students can practice and hear themselves immediately. The German insert makes this edition especially valuable for instructors working in German-speaking regions or schools with immersion programs.

Working through Accent on Achievement feels like real progress. Exercises build logically, and students quickly move from isolated skills to recognizable melodies and simple ensemble pieces. The tone is encouraging and forward-looking; there's a sense that the work matters because students are always playing actual music, not just scales.

Beginning clarinet students in school band programs, particularly those in German-speaking regions or dual-language schools. This book works equally well for private studio instruction and group class settings where students need structured, comprehensive skill-building alongside motivating musical content.

• Use the online audio to establish steady tempo and intonation standards before asking students to play unaccompanied. Hearing the reference recording first anchors their ear.
• Work through the written exercises before moving to the creative applications. The scaffolding in this book is intentional; rushing past foundational work will show up later.
• Leverage the software component to let students record themselves individually. Solo playback builds confidence and helps younger players hear their own progress.
• Rotate between the method book exercises and ensemble pieces regularly. Switching back and forth keeps attention fresh and shows students how technique serves real music-making.

Anchor your beginning clarinet section with this book as your core method for the first year. The online resources support independent practice time, which is essential when you're managing multiple reed instruments with different needs. Assign specific pages as homework, use the audio for sectional rehearsal warm-ups, and pull ensemble pieces into your early concert programs to give students tangible performance goals.

• Breath control and phrase shaping on sustained notes
• Reading standard rhythm patterns in simple meters
• Embouchure development and tone production
• Fingering fluency in the first and second registers
• Listening discrimination through audio playback and self-assessment
• Basic ensemble balance and blend in small group settings