How to Make Better Clarinet Music During These Challenging Times

Timeline / List of some of the questions and topics!

0:00 - Michelle's intro

3:30 - For today's giveaway, go to www.clarinetcommunity.com

8:25 - Resources for teachers, Zoom,  videos specifically for teachers on Backun Educators Videos (YouTube)

11:14 Q&A - how to play together for duet/quartet?

16:10 Q&A - always hear air when playing softly, what can I do? Answer - Need fast air! Blowing muscles do this! Long tones!

22:40 Q&A - how do we get buddies & where is community? Answer - go to www.clarinetcommunity.com

25:25 Q&A - what's first thing to do after time-off from playing clarinet Answer - focus on mouth muscles (embouchure), blowing muscles, best habits

30:56 Q&A - how much tongue is hitting the reed? Answer - Michelle's demonstrates what works for most

33:00 Q&A - what do you think of Legere plastic reeds? Answer - love them! Also, quick discussion of plastic reeds, mouthpieces, placement...

36:16 Q&A - comment re playing duets ...need to be in tune

36:45 Q&A - recommendations for performing not scared

41:17 Q&A - B in middle of treble clef squeaks, can hit notes above and below? Answer - could be a mechanical issue

42:41 Q&A - what ligature are you using?

43:07 Q&A - any good exercises to improve articulation in clarion & altissimo register Answer - pay attention to what air is doing; discussion of stop blowing vs. stop tonguing

47:23 Q&A - reed strength for beginner? Answer - general reed pointers

50:42 Q&A - any educational materials for learning at home? Answer - my video reviewing music books, IMSLP.org, LA Clarinet Institute website

52:33 Q&A - neck strap? Answer - general discussion of neck straps, also Kooiman thumb rest

55:02 Q&A - which would work best for my music teacher to give me lessons - Skype? or Zoom?

56:06 Q&A - bore oiling & exterior care

58:20 Q&A - music source with music tracks? Answer - SmartMusic

59:48 Q&A - mystery unidentified squeaks? Answer - common causes of squeaks & how to test if you are a biter

1:03:00 Q&A - spitting sound when playing a long time?

1:04:11 Q&A - have a groove in mouthpiece, is this normal? Answer - can use mouthpiece patch

1:05:42 Q&A - wet reed when playing, why? And what is your mouthpiece? And with a plastic reed, is clarinet still wood instrument?

1:08:51 Q&A - wrong note comes out, right fingering, why? Answer - may be a tuning issue

1:11:09 Q&A - tongue by touching roof of mouth, how do I get tongue to touch reed?

1:12:05 Q&A - cane or synthetic reeds? And is it usual to have same barrel length on A and Bflat clarinets?

1:14:45 Q&A - wanting evaluation of his playing? And discussion of community bands, performing music

1:17:37 Q&A - preference for which clarinet brand? And can squeak be from touching key?

1:19:37 Q&A - silencer for clarinet?

**apologies for video freezing for just a few seconds after this point, the sound continues (and then video continues)!

1:20:01 Q&A - how to handle water in tone hole? And do you use double-lip embouchure?

1:22:20 Q&A - how can I breathe without disrupting rhythm?

1:24:26 Q&A - how to play trill? Juno reeds? Metronome recommendation? Silverstein synthetic reeds?

1:26:59 Q&A - do I need to practice scales?

1:28:11 Q&A - is it good to soak cane reed in water & blow air through it to break it in?

1:29:14 Q&A - recommendation for buying C clarinet? And how to break in a new reed?

1:31:12 Q&A - best position to hold clarinet?

1:33:13 Q&A - which model Backun Vocalise mouthpiece? And discussion on cane reeds - flattening, warping

1:36:18 Q&A - is it ok to hold bell between knees?

1:36:18 Q&A - is it ok to hold bell between knees? And rattling of mouth? And why you should record yourself... ReedGeek... C clarinet recommendation!

1:39:39 Q&A - play on 2-1/2 cane reed, what is Legere equivalent?