Lesson Plan for Beginning Clarinet

Opening Case - Articulation

Music Grade 6 TEKS:

Domain: Perception 1(A) individually demonstrate characteristic vocal or instrumental timbre; Domain: Creative expression/performance 2(A) perform independently, with accurate intonation and rhythm, demonstrating fundamental skills and basic performance techniques; Domain: Response/evaluation 6(B) evaluate the quality and effectiveness of music and musical performances; and

Lesson Plan For Clarinet

1. Instrument assembly: Opening the case o Lay the case flat on the floor o Make sure the Brand name or label is facing up, and the latches are facing you. o Undo the latches, zipper, etc. o Carefully open the lid

Name parts Bell Lower Joint Upper Joint Barrel Mouthpiece Ligature Reed Mouthpiece cap* Assembly Start soaking the reed in your mouth Lift out the bell with index finger, hold in left hand Find lower joint (only 1 cork), lift with index finger, and gently twist onto bell. Handling the joint where there are less keys. Lift out the upper joint (2 corks), lift with index finger, press down the silver key in the middle to open the bridge key, and gently twist to the lower joint while aligning the bridge keys. Lift the barrel out of the case with index finger, orient the top and bottom, and gently twist the larger end onto the upper joint Undress the mouth piece Gently twist the mouthpiece on with the flat part facing the register key on the back. Orient the ligature by finding the larger end and the screw placement. Drop ligature on the mouthpiece accordingly Place reed on the mouthpiece flat to flat, with the butt facing down, and align the reed parallel to the rails. Lower or heighten reed until you can barely see the black part of the mouthpiece it's on. Tighten screw(s) the bottom one snugger than the top if applicable. 2. Posture (To be reinforced throughout the lesson) Sitting Posture o Stand to sit

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Push back gently towards stomach No part of your body touches another part Head floats Body is physically soft

Right hand: Relaxed C shape like holding a hamburger Bend elbow First, middle, and ring finger cover the first 3 silver rings on the lower joint with pads of fingers Pinky rests on closest silver keys on the bottom Thumb supports clarinet under the thumb rest where it naturally lands Left Hand: Relaxed C shape like holding a hamburger Bend elbow First and middle finger cover the first 2 silver rings, and the ring finger covers the bottom hole in the wood. (with pads of fingers) Thumb angles slightly up while covering the hole on the back. Should be able to rock on register key Top fingers should angle upwards slightly to be able to rock on the upper silver keys with index finger 3. Breathing Breathing should be a natural feeling Body stays soft Minimize body movement (especially in the shoulders) Breathe through your mouth (rather than nose) Eventually you will breathe through the corners of your mouth with your mouthpiece. Breathe in a continuous motion, the air should be a circular motion though your body. (Never hold your breath) Imagine breathing to the very bottom of your lungs. 4. Approximate embouchure Normal face TV watching (bottom jaw dropped) Bottom lip chap stick face/ flat chin Thumbs up Rests on bottom lip, then slides up until it hits top teeth. (watch to eliminate bottom lip roll) Top lip touches thumb Corners seal thumb

5. First Vibrations Do #4 with mini-instrument with instructor holding for student Have them blow air through instrument gently without forcing a sound Have them blow a little stronger until they produce a sound (with instructor still holding mouthpiece for them) Have student do so again without instructor holding instrument for them. 6. Note Shape Draw and explain what an ideal note shape would look like. Play a few examples of a note shapes, and draw what you just played. Have a few students play a notes shape and draw them on the board. Have the student(s) play with their focus on creating a good note shape 7. Tone Experiment with the different variables from embouchure variable sheet. Only critique 1 or 2 at a time so student can consciously try to fix them 8. Play on full clarinet Briefly repeat #6 and 7 Will probably need to push more air. 9. Articulation Say "Dee Dee Dee" Describe what they feel in their mouth Explain that articulation is just dividing the air, not stopping it. Blow air on hand blowing "Dee Dee Dee" Listen for "Hara Hara" tongue Blow air on instructors hand Play on Mini-instrument