Student Instrumental Course: Bass Clarinet Student, Level II: Clarinet Book

The Belwin Student Instrumental Course has earned its place in countless band rooms because it treats bass clarinet players as full ensemble members from day one, not as an afterthought. Porter and Weber's sequencing moves at a logical pace that doesn't rush technique while keeping students engaged with recognizable melodies and musical contexts.

A methodical journey through fundamental technique. The writing feels deliberate and supportive, avoiding unnecessary complexity while maintaining musical interest through varied melodic content.

Intermediate clarinet students transitioning to bass clarinet, or those continuing their study at this level. Works equally well in private instruction and class settings where students need a structured, correlated method that keeps pace with ensemble learning.

• Work through the exercises in order rather than jumping ahead; each one builds on the embouchure and fingering foundations established in the previous section.
• Use the correlated structure with other instruments in your band program so bass clarinet students stay synchronized with the rest of the woodwind section.
• Balance tone production between the low register and upper register by applying consistent air support throughout all exercises.

Deploy this as your primary method book for bass clarinet in grades 5-8 band programs, running it alongside the equivalent level books for other woodwind sections so all students advance together. It works best when used as a complete curriculum rather than selectively picking exercises.

• Tone production across the bass clarinet's lower and middle registers
• Fingering patterns specific to bass clarinet
• Reading and executing rhythmic figures at intermediate level
• Playing with consistent intonation in ensemble contexts
• Breathing and phrasing in longer melodic lines