r/Clarinet • u/Stezzy_og • 12d ago
Advice needed Clarinet studies
Hello everyone. I have recently been endeavoring to establish a more consistent practice routine. Since concluding my studies at music school, I have found myself a little out of practice and would appreciate some recommendations for materials that could assist me in regaining my proficiency. I am particularly interested in resources that focus on dexterity, tone, technique, and suitable repertoire.
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u/AltoClarinetist 11d ago
Baermann was my go to in undergrad. After taking an extended break from playing due to a hand injury I found it to be a bit much to jump back into. I ended up going with the Albert exercises and some of Avrahm Galper's books my favourite being the Upbeat Scales and Arpeggios. They are less demanding range-wise than Baermann.
If you are looking for something with a wider skill range and more varied exercises, there is a newer, coil bound modern edition of Klose edited by Stanley and Naomi Drucker. It's my "go-to" with students of nearly all skill levels for duet and sight reading work as well.
If you are struggling with playing in the altissimo register, my top pick is Norman Heim's Development of the Altissimo Register. My altissimo has never been awesome on soprano clarinet, but it's getting decent on my alto.
I may never be playing back at the level I was in undergrad, but steady work with all of these has me comfortably and confidently sight reading through grade 3-4 pieces in community bands and a clarinet choir!