Technic Today, Part 3: B-flat Clarinet Book

Technic Today, Part 3 maintains the logical, systematic approach that makes the Contemporary Band Course so teachable, now with focused technical work that builds directly on Part Two. The 24-page format stays manageable in rehearsal while offering substantial material for daily technical reinforcement without overwhelming students or consuming rehearsal time. Ployhar's experience in both public school teaching and university clinics shows in every exercise; this book reflects what actually works when you're balancing technique drills with repertoire study.

Technic Today delivers focused, purposeful work without busywork. Each exercise builds logically on the last, so students feel themselves progressing rather than plodding through disconnected drills. The material sits comfortably in the clarinet's practical range while introducing technical challenges that prepare students for more demanding band repertoire.

Clarinet players in advanced-intermediate concert bands who have completed Band Today, Part Two and are ready to deepen their technical foundation. This book serves B-flat clarinetists of middle school through early high school level who benefit from structured, progressive technical work beyond their method book alone.

• Start each rehearsal with the exercises that target the technical challenges your current band repertoire requires; students retain skills better when they see immediate application.
• Rotate through the book rather than completing it sequentially so clarinetists remain engaged and avoid fatigue from massed technical work.
• Use these materials as a benchmarking tool: revisit the same exercises across multiple rehearsals to track improvement in intonation, articulation, and tone quality.
• Assign specific exercises as homework to reinforce what you've addressed in section rehearsal, giving clarinet students ownership over their progress.

Integrate Technic Today, Part 3 into sectional rehearsals as your clarinet section advances through the corresponding material in Band Today, Part Three. Reserve 5-10 minutes of sectional time for targeted exercises that address fingering patterns, articulation styles, or intonation challenges you've identified in your concert repertoire. This book works best as an ongoing supplement rather than a standalone study; treat it as a technical scaffolding system running parallel to your band's seasonal programming.

• Diatonic and chromatic scale facility in extended ranges
• Articulation clarity and control across various tongue positions
• Interval accuracy and intonation adjustment in fourths, fifths, and major/minor intervals
• Finger independence and technical passage work
• Breath control and phrase shaping at various tempi
• Reading and executing mixed rhythmic patterns and articulation markings