Klarinettenunterricht
Clarinet lessons

Together with the students Laura arranges in the clarinet lessons individual repertoires according to their musical interests. At first the priorities of learning are the crucial techniques of the instrument like posture, breathing, sound production- and figuration, articulation and intonation. The student’s taste of music will specify the direction and set the focus.
The curriculum can be re-adjusted and configured by the students at any point of time during the course.
According to the learning style we will find an interesting and motivating approach to the instrument, equally considering musical and technical progress.
During the entire time the most important things are the joy of playing and the pleasure in musical learning.
In the clarinet lesson the students are free to choose to work either with or without sheet music. Of course it is advisable to practice both. This is likewise decided by the particular musical interests of the students.
Additionally, there is the opportunity to work in small units on music theory and harmonics if it is helpful for the students.

Clarinet choir (from 3 participants onwards)

The clarinet’s versatile sound spectrums make it to an outstanding orchestral instrument, which can take on any function in an ensemble: It works as a bright solo instrument just as well as the accompanying rhythmic fundament. Obviously the idea comes up to form an ensemble only consisting of members of this instrument family: a clarinet choir.

In this version of the clarinet course we choose from different compositions in diverse genres like classical music, Jazz, Klezmer, Balkan repertoire, etc.
Most of the time we will play from arranged and composed sheet music, but during the practice process we will open up space for improvisations and free figurations. The contents will fit to the students’ interests!
Whichever composition we choose, the focus is on the ensemble’s development. The students should learn and practice hearing and supporting each other musically. Whether it is an empathetic ballad or a fast dance. The different positions in the ensemble are trained and so everybody will practice to play as a soloist and in accompaniment.

Clarinet choir – course format

This course is aimed at players of all clarinets from a medium technical level.
In addition to the usual soprano clarinets in C, Bb and A, of course, the somewhat more unusual representatives of the clarinet family are especially welcome: Sopranino clarinets in D, Eb or G (also called Picksüßes Hölzl), in low G (Turkish Klarnet / Greek Klarinou) , Alto clarinets in Eb or F (also called basset horn) and the bass clarinet in Bb.

In order to reach the interesting aspects of playing and interpreting sheet music soon, participants should be more or less fluid reading musical notation. However, the technical challenges can be adjusted individually so the joy of playing will not suffer from the few black points on the paper.

Learn more about the instrument

From all woodwinds the clarinet has the biggest range. The sound can be dark and smoky or bright and clear. The different registers are like different personalities in one instrument. It can be very quiet, but can produce very loud tones, too. The different pitches emerge when you open or close the metal keys and pitch hole.
As changeable the sound, as versatile are the musical possibilities of the clarinet. It is found in jazz, folk, rock, pop, klezmer, in Balkan music or tango.

The clarinet comes in different sizes and tunes and can be built in different pitches: German (Oehler) or French (Boehm) system. So the clarinet family covers all registers, from sopranino to contrabass.

Teacher
Laura de la Riva

More Information
From 8 years onwards

Related courses
Balkan Ensemble
Kaval
Saxophone
Trombone