Guides
Guides for Wind Players
In-depth, practical guides on reeds, mouthpieces, intonation, transposition, the clarinet break, altissimo, instrument care and practice.
Tuning & intonation
A440, A442, A415 and A432: Tuning Standards Explained
Where A = 440 Hz came from, why many orchestras tune to 442, what baroque pitch is, the truth about 432 Hz, and what it means for wind…
How to Tune a Clarinet (Barrel, Middle Joint and Bell)
Step-by-step clarinet tuning — warming up, which notes to check, how far to pull the barrel and middle joint, and how temperature affects…
Intonation for Wind Players: Hearing and Fixing Pitch
How to practise intonation with drones and tuners, why chords need pure thirds and fifths, and practical ways to raise or lower notes on…
Gear & setup
Choosing Your First Clarinet: Buying, Renting and What to Check
How to choose a beginner or step-up clarinet — plastic vs wood, new vs used, renting, the checks a teacher would do, and the accessories…
Clarinet Mouthpieces Explained: Tip Opening, Facing and Baffle
What tip opening, facing length, baffle and chamber mean, how they change your sound, and how to choose a clarinet mouthpiece and ligature.
How to Choose Clarinet Reeds: Strength, Cut and Brand
A practical guide to picking the right clarinet reed strength, understanding cuts and brands, breaking reeds in and making them last.
Technique
Clarinet Altissimo Register: Fingerings, Voicing and Exercises
How to play clarinet altissimo notes from C♯6 to C7 — the standard fingerings, the voicing and air you need, and exercises for clean…
Clarinet Embouchure: A Step-by-Step Setup
How to form a clarinet embouchure — lip position, how much mouthpiece to take, the flat chin, firm corners and tongue position — plus…
Crossing the Clarinet Break: Exercises That Work
Why the jump from throat B♭ to clarion B is hard, and a step-by-step set of exercises to make crossing the break smooth and squeak-free.