Here are a few lesson planning ideas that you can use when learning about the clarinet in the music class.

You can Make rudimentary single-reed instruments. Gather the following pieces of paper and plastic combs, about 5cm x 5cm (two inches by two inches) To play it simply place the paper on the comb in line with the teeth and hold it with your thumbs. Simply blow to make a sound with your lips around the paper and the comb. Students will come to understand the idea of a single reed vibrating with this activity

Here are some great clarinet players that you can talk about in music class You could also give the students a class project to learn about one or more of these musicians/

Benny Goodman (1909-1986) was an American clarinetist best known for his jazz playing. Goodman was born in Chicago to Hungarian Jewish immigrants. He learned the clarinet very quickly and worked as a professional musician while still a teenager. Goodman led a band in New York City in the 1920’s and 30‘s. Goodman even became known as “The King of Swing” as his music was very popular during the swing era Benny Goodman is known as one of the best jazz clarinetists of all timse, as he continued to make recordings for the rest of his life He was one of the few jazz musicians to cross over to the classical realm and make recordings of well known classical pieces.

Thea King (1925-2007) was an important English clarinetist. She played with many different groups, but perhaps her most significant position was principal clarinetist of the English Chamber Orchestra from 1964 to 1999. She was inducted into the Order of the British Empire in 1985, becoming “Dame Thea King.”

Richard Stoltzman (born 1942) is a well known American classical clarinetist. He has made both classical and jazz recordings Studying at Ohio State University, he majored in both Music and Mathematics Orchestras around the world would love to have him as soloist

The first ever female member of the Berlin Philharmonic was a german clarinetist, Sabine Meyer The other members didn’t accept her, however, and after a short time she left to become a full-time clarinet soloist. She is also very involved in chamber music (music for a small group of players).

These are just a few ideas taken from the fun music company’s music lesson plans on instruments of the orchestra.