Thirty Etudes after H. Aumont: Clarinet Book

Klosé's etudes strike a rare balance between systematic technical work and genuine musicality, so students aren't grinding through mechanical exercises but learning to apply technique to expressive playing. The Aumont collection sits at a level where clarinet players are ready for serious study but still need focused work on tone production, intonation, and articulation challenges that these etudes address directly.

The Aumont etudes breathe with Romantic-era lyricism. You'll encounter singing melodic lines, harmonic richness that rewards careful intonation, and technical passages that emerge naturally from musical phrases rather than appearing arbitrary. The writing feels both refined and earnest, inviting you to develop a mature, expressive tone.

Intermediate to advanced high school clarinetists and undergraduate players who have solid fundamental technique but need focused work on musical expression, tone control, and range command. These etudes serve clarinet students preparing for all-state auditions, college placement exams, or serious amateur study.

• Approach each etude as a short recital piece rather than a technique drill. The Romantic-era harmonic language deserves phrasing that honors melody and harmonic direction.
• Pay close attention to dynamics and articulation markings as written; they're pedagogical tools designed to refine your control across the full range.
• Practice slowly enough to achieve the tone quality Klosé's writing implies. Rush the tempo and you'll sacrifice the musical foundation these studies are meant to build.
• Use the etudes as a bridge between scale studies and repertoire; they show you how to apply fundamental techniques in musical contexts with real harmonic interest.

These etudes work best as a cornerstone of a serious clarinet student's technical development rather than as stand-alone repertoire for performance. Assign them systematically throughout the year alongside concerto and sonata work, rotating through the collection so students are always deepening both technical control and musical understanding.

• Tone production and color across the full clarinet range
• Articulation clarity and precision in varied musical contexts
• Intonation control in harmonic and chromatic passages
• Sight-reading facility with Romantic-era harmonic language
• Phrasing and expression within a structured technical framework
• Confidence navigating upper register passages with security and musicality