Essential Elements 1-12 Play Alongs

These videos assume that you know a few basic practice techniques we use in the band room.

Clap and Counting
- Tap your foot to the steady beat. Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" repeatedly. Clap when you play a note based on the rhythms shown on the page.
Saying Note Names
- Simply say the name of each note as they are shown in the rhythms they are shown.
Saying and Fingering
- While saying note names, finger that note on your instrument without playing.
Airing and Fingering
- Remove the clarinet from your mouthpiece and do everything you normally would do while playing. That includes foot tapping, tonguing, blowing air, and fingering the notes.

Each new fingering will be shown to you in your book with a diagram we call the "fingering chart." This image explains what shapes on the fingering chart correspond to each finger on your hands. When the shapes are shaded in, that means we should be covering or pressing that key or hole.

#1

We learn our first note, "G."

#2

We play our first quarter notes.

This is our first note in the book. Our book asks us to finger it like example 1 on the right. Finger it like example 2.

Ex. 1

Ex. 2

#3

We learn our next note, "F."

#4

We play both of our notes in rhythm.

#5

We learn another note, " E".

#6

We play each known note in rhythm.

#7

We learn another note, "D."

#8

We play each note we know in a new rhythm. We also learn about "repeat signs."

#9

We learn our next note, "C." Touchdown!

#10

We apply all of the concepts we've learned so far.

#11

This is our first time reading notes without note names written in the note heads. This one is important!

#12

Our "First Flight!" From now on, note names will not appear in the note heads. Take your time with this number. Don't be afraid to play this one many times.

The rest of this website focuses on more advanced techniques. You are encouraged to continue practicing these numbers and the future numbers in the book and come back to this website when you've had a bit more experience.

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