Since the bass clarinet hasn't been in existence as long as the cello or even the clarinet, we simply don't have the volume of solo bass clarinet music that other instrumentalists enjoy. So we steal. . .err borrow. . . Here are my top picks for my own students with at least 4 years of instruction: Eccles: Sonata in G minor, bass clarinet with piano, originally written for cello Bach: Six Suites, Alea Publishing; these cello suites are transcribed for solo bass clarinet; some sections work well for an intermediate-level player, and some will require more advanced skill and a low C extension ..read more

I always feel like I have a limited amount of time with my bass clarinet students before they go off to college. Between a busy marching season, learning required pieces for auditions, and the generally packed life high schoolers, there isn't as much time as I'd like to play around with all the great solo literature out there. This list isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list; it is certainly a little more “dead white guy” than I’d like it to be. Notably absent is music from my favorite bass clarinet player, Michael Lowenstern, the late jazz bass clarinetist, Eric Dolphy, and any female composer ..read more

Picture this: 37 middle schoolers rifling through a band director's file cabinets trying to find a solo to play. The kids usually have no idea what the pieces sound like, so they pick something with a mildly catchy name that they end up not really liking anyway, losing half the pages during the chaos. This scene is probably familiar to every band director who has ever prepared for solo and ensemble contest. I'm here to help. In this 3 part series, I'll share my favorite bass clarinet solos for both intermediate and advanced bass clarinetists. Take a minute and subscribe so you don't miss a be ..read more

Your child wants to learn clarinet. You are thrilled they want to do something besides watch YouTube and play video games, but you aren't sure what you'll need to get them started. Sound familiar? Choosing a clarinet and accessories can be overwhelming; there are a lot of lousy instruments for sale that will guarantee your child will have a frustrating experience. Band directors and private instructors often have their own recommendations; always check with them first. I recommend renting or purchasing from your local music store; a local resource to help you with adjustments, repairs, and pu ..read more

We've all heard that "practice makes perfect." Not true. Practice makes things permanent, so it is important to work carefully when you are learning your scales. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL71es51DEI&t=12s For students learning scales for the first (or second or third) time, the mental work needs to come before the actual practicing to avoid making frequent flub-ups permanent. This is NOT a in-depth discussion about music theory or how students can use the circle of fourths to understand keys. This is a practical answer to the problem that many young musicians have when they find the ..read more

This month, ClarinetGeek.com was named among the Top 20 Clarinet Blogs, Websites, and Influencers in 2020. I'm really not sure what this means, because I don't offer quick and easy tips for anything, I don't publish stunning Instagram photos, and my YouTube channel is definitely not giving away cars like MrBeast. What ClarinetGeek.com IS is a way to connect and share practical, real-world advice to help clarinet students and teachers. I've been blessed to know insightful teachers, honest students, and talented conductors who have all helped me discover what works and what doesn't work well fo ..read more

Not sure what clarinet solos to work on? Many, many deserving solos are available, but my high school students over the years have experienced success with these pieces. They are fun to play, they are approachable by students with a few years of study behind them, and they are each worthy of a solo performance or college audition. Not every clarinet student will be able to master this music, but exposure to these standards will be valuable. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Weber: Concerto No. 1 in F Minor Op. 73 & Stamitz: Concerto No. 3 in B Flat for Clarinet: Music Minus One Cl ..read more

Congratulations, you've graduated from playing Hot Cross Buns and other easy clarinet music. Now, you are looking for some fun clarinet solos to play, but you might not be ready for the Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622" >Mozart Clarinet Concerto. If you are somewhere in between, you are probably ready for an intermediate clarinet solo that: Goes “over the break” frequently during quick passages Requires more right hand skill than advanced beginner music Uses varied articulations Contains 8th notes Here are my top 5 recommendations for Intermediate Clarinet Solos 1. Menuett by ..read more

Choosing solo pieces for students can be tough for band directors and nearly impossible for young players. Music should be fun at any level of playing, and I'd like to take the guesswork out of repertoire selection. A list of easy solos for Early Beginners is here, but read on for my favorite solos for the Advanced Beginner. Find W28CL - Standard of Excellence - Festival Solos Book/CD - Clarinet" >Festival Solos by Standard of Excellence here. Find First Recital Series: Clarinet (1st Recital)" >1st Recital Series for Bb Clarinet here. Advanced Beginner Quicker pieces that generally do ..read more

I am not a writer. I am not a website designer, blogger, or a social media anything. The thing that really lights my fire is teaching. It's making connections with students and sharing all that I've learned from musicians way better than me over the past 40 years. Yet here I am, writing. The past few months, that musical thing that I love to do has come to a screeching halt. My very last in-person lesson in March was with a sweet, hard-working clarinetist who was getting ready for high school. Her mom nervously walked into my home studio, sat down a little farther away than usual, and quietly ..read more