Belwin 21st Century Band Method, Level 1: B-flat Clarinet Book

This clarinet book moves students forward without overwhelming them. The careful sequencing of lessons, combined with strategic placement of motivational pieces (duets, rounds, and "Songs Just for the Fun of It"), keeps young clarinetists engaged while building solid fundamentals. Most importantly, Level 1 can be completed in a single year, which means your students actually finish something substantial and want to continue.

Learning from this book feels like steady progress with frequent rewards. You're building real clarinet technique (embouchure control, articulation, finger coordination) while playing pieces that actually sound musical. The mix of classical, folk, traditional, and popular styles keeps the repertoire fresh and reminds you why you wanted to play in the first place.

Beginning clarinetists in their first year of band. This book works equally well in full band programs and private studio settings, as it develops the independence and confidence every young clarinetist needs. The clearly sequenced lessons and frequent reinforcement suit students who benefit from structured, consistent progression.

• Work through the duets with section mates during rehearsal time. These paired exercises reinforce rhythm and intonation in a lower-pressure setting than full ensemble work.
• Use the "Songs Just for the Fun of It" selections as sight-reading warm-ups or as incentive pieces after mastering a new technical concept. They arrive at the right moment to celebrate progress.
• Pay close attention to the instrument-specific points in each lesson. Clarinet has its own challenges (break register transitions, embouchure demands), and these notes address them directly.
• Reference the accompaniment CD during home practice if available. Hearing yourself against a real band sound helps students internalize phrasing and style beyond the printed note.

Adopt this as your primary method text for clarinet students in their first year, and you'll have three complete concert pieces ready before the end of the school year. The built-in reinforcement and pacing mean less time diagnosing gaps and more time actually rehearsing. Pair it with the full Belwin 21st Century method across all instruments in your program for a coordinated, coherent first year.

• Reading in treble clef with consistent rhythm notation review
• Eight-note and sixteenth-note rhythms in simple and compound meters
• Clarinet-specific embouchure control and tone production
• Articulation techniques (tonguing, legato, staccato)
• Finger coordination and technical facility across the break register
• Duet playing and musical independence
• Basic music theory integrated with performance (staff, clefs, key signatures, time signatures)
• Listening to and performing classical, folk, popular, and traditional repertoire