Clarinet 101: The Basics

Written By Alexandra Doyle

Introducing the Clarinet

  • Woodwind instrument with a single reed

  • Usually made of wood or plastic

  • Closed-pipe resonator with a cylindrical bore that overblows at the twelfth (octave plus a fifth)

  • Can play a range of over three octaves (extremely large, especially for a wind instrument)

Assembling (and Disassembling) the Clarinet

  • Assemble from bottom to top

  • Don’t bend the keys by pushing in the wrong spot

  • Keep your corks greased

  • Don’t leave it assembled for several days in a row

How to Make a Sound

  • Check reed and ligature alignment

  • Pretend you’re blowing into a glass of water with a straw

  • Don’t puff out your cheeks

  • Practice on mouthpiece and barrel (F#)

Basic Clarinet Maintenance

  • Always swab after you play

    • Except not the mouthpiece

  • Keep a screwdriver in your case

  • Grease the corks

  • Take it to a professional for regular maintenance

Are Lessons Really That Important?

Short answer: YES!

If you’re looking for some books to help you get started, check out my SheetMusicPlus list for ideas: https://bit.ly/3vUsiiH

Have a question or want to give some advice of your own? Leave a comment below!

And, if there’s a topic you’d like covered on the blog, visit my contact page to let me know.

Alexandra Doyle
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