As a second grader, my class was treated to a listening of Prokofiev's ''Peter and the Wolf''. Though I can't quite remember the particulars of the story, I do remember its characterthe eloquent, playful voice of a cat.
Whether you want to play in a jazz ensemble or classical quartet, the melodic, whimsical tune of a clarinet adds a compelling woodwind layer to any piece. The word "clarinet" derives from an Italian name for "little trumpet"an interesting way to look at a clarinet. If you're playing or are learning to play clarinet, you'll need a few accessories.
Clarinets are Complicated
The clarinet makes a beautiful, woodsy sound, but is a tad more highall of these make a huge impact on your clarinet's performance. (As a young flautist, I was always jealous of the clarinet players' grease sticks, which resembled chap stick; I would have killed for such adorably compact and feminine musical accessories).
Numbers, Numbers... Etc.
The reed is absolutely one of the more critical components of clarinet performance and makes a huge impact on sound quality. Below are a few tips to taking good care of a reed, and by association, taking care of your clarinet.
* When picking out a reed, note that each variety is designated by a number; the higher the number, the harder the reed is, and the greater the challenge of playing.
* Students should start at a reed level of 2, moving up to a level of 2.5 as soon as possible. Typically, a clarinet player moves onto a higher level reed once they've been playing for a few years and their embouchre (that's the form your mouth takes to play a wind instrument) has become more developed.
* Reeds are delicate instruments and must be given attentive care and love. Susceptible to weather and air changes, reeds are prone to warping, particularly in the spring and fall.
* So vital is the reed to your performance that it should be disposed of if it's at all chipped or cracked: such imperfections will naturally affect your sound adversely (I'm talking squeaking). Keeping two or three reeds in your case as a back-up is a wise idea.
* Just like a new pair of shoes, you'll need to break in a reed after you've bought it. It's a good idea never to play a new one for more than 10 minutes a day.
* Rico and Vandoren are a few major reed providers.
Top Sellers
A few accessories you may want to pick up for your clarinet-playing needs.
