Learning how to play clarinet is a fun and rewarding experience for students of all skill levels. A member of the woodwind family, the clarinet is used primarily in classical orchestral and concert band music, although it can also be found in jazz, klezmer, Brazilian, Bulgarian Wedding, and Turkish Folk music. While very uncommon, the clarinet has occasionally been used in western rock music.
The clarinet is played by placing the mouth around the mouthpiece with the bottom lip curved under to rest on the reed. The hands are then placed on the keys which can be depressed to create different notes. The clarinet is a single reeded instrument, meaning that wooden reed rests against the hollow mouthpiece and the vibrations between the two create sound. The thickness and hardness of the reed can influence the tone color and many clarinetists carve their own reeds in order to produce the sound they are looking for. Reeds are also mass produced and come in a variety of brands. Generally speaking, when a student is beginning to learn to play clarinet they will need a softer reed as they are easier to play with. Your teacher will be able to help determine what kind of reed is best for you.
