Information for

CLARINET STUDENTS

This site is intended to provide information and advice for clarinet players. It is aimed primarily at serious students in grades 6 - 12, though other players may find it useful.

I have been teaching clarinet for over fifteen years, mainly at the intermediate to advanced high school level. I also maintain an active performing, composing, and conducting career.

The information contained here is, of course, personal opinion garnered over more than thirty years of playing the clarinet. It's not meant to contradict what you may hear from your own teacher(s), and it's certainly not meant to represent a "correspondance course" in how to play the clarinet. I'm happy to answer questions and give general advice, but it really is impossible to study an instrument over the internet. Any serious student needs the guidance of a professional private teacher.

I get two constant questions by e-mail.

"Where can I find scales?" This apparently from people who don't bother to read the whole site. Look down this page about three inches and follow the link.
"What are the fingerings?" It would be a waste for me to duplicate the work of others, go directly to the Woodwind Fingering Guide and dive in.

Those disclaimers aside, please enjoy this site. It will be updated as my (total lack of) time allows. You may e-mail me with comments or suggestions at markmiller@markmillermusic.com (I usually take a while to respond, though...).

Outside the Practice Room

Stay in shape. You play better when you're healthy and getting some regular exercise.
Your lip is as important as your reeds. If you live where it's cold or dry or both, use some kind of lip balm. Just remember to wipe it off before you play (it's not good for your reeds).
Keep your clarinets and reeds away from extremes in temperature and humidity.
Try to be a musician, not just a clarinet player. Listen to music you're not studying for performance. Listen to music that doesn't involve clarinets.
Learn to play a second instrument, ideally the piano.

Clarinet Links

General and Personal Pages

Woodwind.org: The Clarinet Pages a vast repository of clarinet information, and information about the clarinet mailing list
Arcadian Winds my quintet
Woodwind Finrgering Guide (self-explanatory)

The Big Three Manufacturers
Albert Alphin Clarinet Resources Boston area clarinet technician and retailer
Luyben Music makers of the ligatures, also a music/instrument dealer
Rovner Products Mouthpiece and ligature makers
The Woodwind and the Brasswind major mail-order company
Muncy Winds mail-order woodwind supplies
J&D Hite Site Jean and David Hite's site, with David Hite's extensive study and repertoire guide (based on his own publications)

Mail me!

Information for

CLARINET STUDENTS

Contents

Outside the Practice Room

Clarinet Links

General and Personal Pages