Teaching about the clarinet? here are a a few ideas for you.

You can Make rudimentary single-reed instruments. Gather the following 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. Simply blow to make a sound with your lips around the paper and the comb. This activity should make clear the concept of a single reed vibrating to create sound.

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.

These are just a few ideas for music lesson planning available at the fun music company.

An American clarinetist, best known for his jazz musicianship was Benny Goodman. He was born in 1909 to jewish immigrants in Chicago 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. 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.

An important English Clarinetist was Thea King (1925-2007) She was the principal clarinetist of the English Chamber Orchestra from 1964 to 1999, and played with many other groups. 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 also made some jazz recordings. Studying at Ohio State University, he majored in both Music and Mathematics He is in high demand as a clarinet soloist with orchestras around the world.

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.