Podcast 04 The First Sound

EPISODE 04  SHOW NOTES

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet – Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode of the Crossing The Break podcast covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet:

  • How to be sure students are ready to make the first sound
  • 4 steps for correct clarinet embouchure
  • Words to say to the group
  • Ways to help individuals

Free download of all outline notes for the entire 20 episodes (click here to ‘enroll’ in the free course which basically just allows you to download the full packet of Outline Notes. I hope to add more pictures/videos to this course at a later time, but for now it allows you to download all 20 episodes at once.)
The First Sound (Outline Notes)
Closed Facebook group (read guidelines and then request access)
Checking to see if they are ready – Steps with thumb

Clarinet Embouchure
Open
Clarinet Embouchure
Click
Clarinet Embouchure
milkshake

4 steps with mouthpiece/barrel

Clarinet Embouchure
Open
Clarinet Embouchure
Click (will need more mouthpiece later)
Clarinet Embouchure
Milkshake
Clarinet Embouchure
Blow (This angle is a little too far out)

Checking individuals (I hold barrel)

Teaching Clarinet
I help adjust the angle and anchor on top teeth.

One other comment – this child mentioned that it hurt her teeth “especially because they just grew in.” I normally start 6th graders, but for those of you that start in 4th or 5th grade, you may need to be a little more patient as students adjust. They still need to anchor, but I hadn’t really ever thought about teeth being extra sensitive as they are growing in.