Teaching about the clarinet? here are a a few ideas for you. There are lots more ideas for music lesson plans in the printable music lesson plans series at this webpage.
Have fun making this simple single reed instrument You will need: plastic combs and pieces of paper, about 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm). Instructions: Hold a comb with the teeth pointed toward you. Place a piece of paper on the comb in line with the edge of the teeth and hold it in place with your thumbs. Place your lips around the paper and comb and blow to make a sound. Students will come to understand the idea of a single reed vibrating with this activity
Spotlight on clarinet players: Share this information with your class in the manner that best suits you. You could also give the students a class project to learn about one or more of these musicians/
An American clarinetist, best known for his jazz musicianship was Benny Goodman. Goodman was born in Chicago to Hungarian Jewish immigrants. While a teenager he learned the clarinet very quickly and became a professional musician Goodman led a band in New York City in the 1920’s and 30‘s. They played a style of jazz called Swing, and Benny became known as “The King of Swing.” Goodman continued to play and make recordings for the rest of his life, and is one of the best known jazz clarinetists of all time. He also crossed over to make some recordings of the classical repertoire.
Thea King (1925-2007) was an important English clarinetist. She was the principal clarinetist of the English Chamber Orchestra from 1964 to 1999, and played with many other groups. She became “Dame Thea King” when she was inducted into the Order of the British Empire in 1985.
A well known American classical clarinetist is Richard Stoltzman. He has also made some 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 an accomplished Chamber Music player.
