Tuned In - Bass Clarinet: Bass Clarinet Method Book

Robert Herrings and Brian Balmages have created a practical resource that tackles one of the most persistent challenges in ensemble rehearsal: getting students to hear and match pitch across an entire section. The downloadable drones remove the barrier of expensive tuning technology, making systematic intonation work accessible whether you're in a well-funded program or running on a shoestring budget. What sets this apart from generic method books is its dual approach, comprehensive key-based studies paired with actual chorale material that forces students to apply tuning skills in musical contexts where it matters.

Focused and purposeful. Each study builds methodically through keys, giving players concrete scaffolding rather than vague guidance. The chorales feel musical while serving a clear pedagogical aim.

Band directors who want their bass clarinet section (and by extension, the entire woodwind blend) to respond intelligently to intonation problems rather than reflexively pinching or opening their embouchure. Students need enough foundation to read in multiple keys and enough maturity to hear themselves within a chord. The supplemental structure works alongside your existing method book without replacing it.

• Establish a baseline by having the section lock onto a drone for 30 seconds before tackling any study, letting their ears adjust to the reference pitch.
• Work through the studies in clusters of related keys rather than jumping randomly; students develop muscle memory and ear memory when they build on what they just learned.
• Use the chorales as full-section activities where every player balances chord quality, not as solos. A blend that's in tune is a blend that sounds intentional.
• Rotate which student listens for "sharp" or "flat" tendencies in the section. Peer accountability develops faster ear training than director correction alone.

Integrate this into your regular warm-up rotation, dedicating 8-10 minutes twice a week to key-based studies, then shift to chorales when the section has developed consistent pitch control. The downloadable drones make it simple to assign independent listening practice between rehearsals, turning study sessions into accountability moments. Many directors find the systematic key coverage ideal for January through March when intonation problems peak and concert season demands polish.

• Pitch matching across all major and minor keys
• Adjusting embouchure and air speed to control intonation in real time
• Identifying and correcting sharp and flat tendencies within a chord
• Reading and interpreting block harmony notation
• Developing independent ear training through drone-based listening