Methods - Midterm Review

What kind of wood are clarinets made of today?

• Oak

• Grenadilla

• Tinted wood

• Maple

Answer explanation

Grenadilla is also known as African blackwood. It is tremendously strong, make it very durable and less susceptible to cracks. It is native to the continent of Africa.

What are some physical signs a student is taking bad breaths?

• The inhale sounds high pitched.

• The shoulders are rising as they breathe.

• The breath is not supported by the diaphragm.

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

In good wind playing, a deep full, relaxed breath that extends down to the diaphragm is crucial.

Which of the following is true regarding the process of breaking in a reed?

• Reeds absorb the most moisture the first time they are played, which makes it easy to waterlog a new reed.

• Rotating reeds ensures that students will have more than one reed that is ready to be played on any given day.

• Reeds get softer as they age.

• All of the above

Answer explanation

It is recommended that new reeds only be played a couple of minutes at a time, slowly extending this playing time over 4 to 5 days. Once the reed has reached optimal performance, they should be put into a rotation.

You are playing on a Bb clarinet. What does Bb mean in this context? (multiple correct answers)

• The clarinet is a transposing instrument in B-flat. This means that when a clarinet player plays a written C, his/her clarinet sounds a B-flat. The clarinet sounds a whole step lower than the written notes it plays

• It means that the clarinet is manufactured so that the b-flats are perfectly in tune.

• When a clarinet player plays his or her written B-flat, the sounding pitch is A-flat.

• Bb is the best sounding note on the clarinet, therefore it's name.

Answer explanation

• When a flute player plays a written C, his/her flute sounds a C.

• When a clarinet player plays a written C, his/her clarinet sounds a B-flat.

Which of the following is NOT a common reason why a clarinetist will squeak?

• The tone holes are not covered completely.

• Too much mouthpiece

• The tongue position/voicing is too high.

• The reed is too hard.

Answer explanation

Remember, soft reeds tend to squeak more easily. The minimal resistance allows the player to achieve overtones more easily (hence a squeak). Solution: raise the reed so that the thicker part of the tip vibrates.

The lowest note on the clarinet is _.

Answer explanation

Note the fingering for low E. Remember it? Pinkies on R2 and L1.

What are the two fingerings for middle E-flat?

• 
• 
• 
• None of the above.

Answer explanation

E-flat can be played on both the right and left sides of the clarinet. One is a sidekey fingering and the other is called a "fork" fingering.

Why do we call the register key on the clarinet a register key and not an octave key? 

• Because the key looks like a button on a cash register.

• Because historically it used to be a register key.

• Because when pressed, the note goes up a 12th instead of an octave.

• Because it allows you to play in different keys

Answer explanation

The register key is a key on the clarinet that is used to play in the second register; that is, it raises the pitch of most first-register notes by a twelfth (19 semitones) when pressed.

Legato allows us to play smoothly without any break in between the notes. How do we achieve that on clarinet?

• Fast air stream

• Keeping the fingers close to the keys

• Moving the fingers in a gentle manner

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

To produce a fine legato, It is believed that it should as if pushing a spring down, without letting the fingers slap on the keys. The fingers should rest poised slightly above the keys and should drop slowly to cover the tone holes.

What are the two fingerings for C# in the staff.

• Thumb, Register 123 | 123 R3

• Thumb, Register 123 | 123 L2

• Thumb, Register 123 | 123

• Thumb, Register 123 | 123 L3

Answer explanation

The second octave C#, can be played on both sides of the clarinet (left and right sides). You should learn both fingerings to help you in a tricky passage.