Clarinet.........Help!!?

Question

i'm really a beginner with this instrument.. my knowledge about clarinets are not a lot. i got my clarinet and i'm having a lot of trouble understanding the fingering. the scale is another problem. i play a little piano, so i was wondering if the scale is the same??? what is the order of the notes/letters? i'm really having trouble! please help......thanks!

Answer 1

Ok... for fingering charts:

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/cl_...

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/cl_...

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/cl_...

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/cl_...

These give you the "normal" fingering first, then alternates and trills, and also tell you if they tend to be really flat or sharp.  You will only need the first 2 links for the first 2 years you play, but I included the higher notes anyways... future reference! ;)

Now as far as READING a fingering chart... I know that when I first started, I was REALLY confused as to where to put my fingers...

The thumb on your left hand is used for the hole and key on the back of the clarinet... on fingering charts, these two keys are shown just to the top left of the diagram.  The first 3 fingers of the left hand cover the holes- you use your index finger to press the keys above the holes.  The left pinky is used to press the four keys closest to the pinky.

The right hand is similar... first 3 fingers cover the holes, right pinky is used to press one of the four keys closest.  The right index finger is used to play the keys on the right side of the upper joint.

Now for scales... the notes are all the same.

Take the C major scale: C D E F G A B C (no bs or #s)

Eb Major: Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb (3bs)

B Major: B C# D# E F# G# A# B (5#s)

Same with minors:

A minor: A B C D E F G A

C minor: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

G# minor: G# A# B C# D# E F# G#

Here's the difference... clarinet is a transposing instrument, but piano is not.  So what this means is that when a piano and a clarinet both finger their "C", the piano SOUNDS as a "C", but the clarinet SOUNDS as a "Bb" (thus, a Bb clarinet).  To compensate, the clarinet has to play 1 whole step higher.  The clarinet fingers a "D", but SOUNDS as a "C".

So, when you are in band, if the conductor says "Bb CONCERT pitch"... it means that everyone transposes to the correct key.  Flutes and oboes play a Bb, clarinets and trumpets play a C, and alto and bari sax play a "G".  Then everyone SOUNDS like they're playing the same note.

So if you are asked to play a Bb major scale, you would play a Bb Major Scale.  If you are asked to play a CONCERT Bb Major Scale, you would play YOUR C Major Scale.  I hope this makes sense?

It takes a little getting used to.  And don't worry- you'll get it!  I was in tears for the first 2 weeks that I played, but after that it got easier and easier (til college, anyways! lol).  Just try to have a little bit of fun.  Laugh at yourself when you squeak, and shake it off when you miss a note or forget where your pinky is.  It gets better- I promise!

Good luck, and HAVE FUN! :)

Answer 2

which scale are you talking about? i don't play very much piano, but i'm assuming it would be quite different since the clarinet is a wayyy completely different instrument.. and you are just starting out.. don't worry too much. i'm sure you will be able to learn everything you need to soon.. since you are worried about fingerings, here are some fingering charts that will tell you the fingering for any note you play as well as some alternate fingerings.. good luck!

http://www.hansonclarinets.com/clarinet%...

http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Study/F...

http://www.fingering-charts.com/results/...