Clarinet Basics: Clarinet Book & CD

The 22-stage structure gives you clear benchmarks without feeling reductive. Each section balances technique work with actual music from Haydn, Mozart, and folk traditions, so students aren't grinding through abstract exercises. The included CD transforms what could be a solitary practice routine into an engaging musical conversation.

The balance of work and play keeps motivation steady. Finger gyms feel like puzzles to solve, the concert pieces offer genuine musical satisfaction, and the quizzes and fact files acknowledge that learning notation is part of becoming a musician, not a distraction from it.

Beginning clarinet students working independently or with a teacher who wants a structured, self-contained method. Adult learners especially benefit from the clear pedagogy and recorded accompaniments, which eliminate the need to find collaborative partners early on.

• Assign the finger gyms before introducing the concert pieces in each stage; students who know their fingerings cold play with more confidence and better tone
• Treat the rhythm boxes as diagnostic tools. If a student stumbles on a particular rhythmic figure, isolate it here before moving forward
• Use the duets and trios as performance goals, not fillers. Announce them early so students practice with a recital date in mind
• Pair the notation fact files with one-on-one feedback rather than whole-group review; everyone reads at different speeds

Use this as your primary method book for beginning clarinet sections when you're building from true novices. The recorded accompaniments also make it useful for summer practice assignments, since students can perform with the CD even when sectional rehearsals aren't available.

• Basic clarinet embouchure and breath control
• Reading treble clef with ledger lines
• Standard fingerings for lower and middle register notes
• Elementary rhythm reading (whole notes through eighth notes)
• Sight-reading short melodies from standard repertoire
• Understanding notation symbols and their meanings
• Playing simple duets and trios with rhythmic precision
• Sustaining tone across phrase lengths