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Putting Your Clarinet Together
Get your reed ready
Before assembling your clarinet, gently moisten the thin end of the reed in your mouth for a short time. Handle the reed by the thick end or sides whenever possible.Check the corks
If the joints are difficult to put together, use a small amount of cork grease. You do not need cork grease every time you play. If a joint is still difficult to move, don’t force it and ask Ms. McDonald for help.Bell + lower joint
Hold the clarinet by the smooth parts whenever possible. Gently twist the bell onto the lower joint.Connect the upper and lower joints
This is the part that needs extra care! Press down the upper joint key that lifts the bridge key, then gently twist the upper and lower joints together. Line up the bridge keys carefully.Add the barrel and the mouthpiece
Gently twist the barrel onto the upper joint and add the mouthpiece to the barrel.Add the reed
Place the flat side of the reed against the flat side of the mouthpiece. Line it up carefully, then secure it with the ligature.
⭐ Clarinet rule: Never force the joints together and always protect the bridge key!
Making Your First Sound
Start with just the mouthpiece and barrel.
Let your bottom lip roll slightly over your bottom teeth to make a soft cushion for the reed. Place your top teeth gently on the top of the mouthpiece. Close the corners of your mouth around the mouthpiece so air doesn’t escape.
Take a full breath and blow a steady, supported stream of air through the instrument.
💡 Try it: If the sound squeaks or doesn’t come out, don’t bite harder! Check on your reed and try using steady air.
Videos to Help You Get Started
After You Play
Remove the reed from the mouthpiece.
Gently wipe away excess moisture and store the reed flat in a reed guard or reed case.
Use your clarinet swab to remove moisture from inside the instrument.
Take the clarinet apart carefully and put each piece back in its proper place in the case.
Close the case completely before you pick it up!
Stop & Ask Ms. McDonald
Please ask for help if:
A joint won’t go together or come apart.
The bridge keys don’t line up or look bent.
A key feels loose, bent, doesn’t move normally, or a pad is sticking.
A cork becomes loose, torn, or damaged.
Your clarinet suddenly becomes much harder to play.
Your clarinet gets dropped or damaged.
Please don’t use force, tools, glue, or tape to try to fix your clarinet yourself.
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