Finding the best clarinet reed for you and your setup is a lot like searching for the perfect pair of jeans. There will be a lot of trial and error, but once you’ve found the one, it will be worth the effort. Discovering how to choose the right reed is an important lesson all clarinetists must learn early in their careers to help them produce the best sound possible on the instrument. (Click here to skip to the part where I recommend my favorite reeds.) Here are a few important factors one should consider when choosing a clarinet reed: Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are a few things t ..read more

One of the most common complaints I hear from clarinetists is that they wish they had a better sound. Our sound (aka tone) is our musical voice, so it’s important to work to develop a sound which captures exactly what we want to share with your audience. The subject of clarinet tone is enough to fill its own book (several, perhaps), but I’ll share a few suggestions to help get your started on ways you can improve your clarinet tone: One final note – the recommendations above are meant for ways you can improve your overall clarinet tone. If you’d like to improve your tuning, check out my comple ..read more

The pioneering and curious spirit of clarinetists and manufacturers has led to the development of unique and innovative instruments throughout clarinet history. Here are a few clarinet curiosities, including unusual clarinets, clarinet systems, and inventions to intrigue you: Clarinet-adjacent instruments These instruments might not technically fall under the clarinet family tree, but I wanted to share some distant cousins of the clarinet family. Here are some other websites you might find interesting to learn more about clarinet systems and inventions: I hope you enjoyed this foray into the c ..read more

Classical music history is typically taught separately from general history, which is why these comparisons can warp your perception of time. Here are some events from classical music history as they relate to details from general history: What other events in classical music history will warp your perception of time? Leave a comment below! The post Classical Music Warped Timeline: Facts that alter your perception of time first appeared on Jenny Maclay. The post Classical Music Warped Timeline: Facts that alter your perception of time appeared first on Jenny Maclay ..read more

Welcome to the wonderful world of clarinet mouthpieces! If you’re looking for a new clarinet mouthpiece, here’s everything you need to know: How do you know when it’s time to replace a clarinet mouthpiece? While mouthpieces can be played indefinitely (as long as they’re not broken), I recommend replacing your mouthpiece every 5-10 years, although this greatly depends on how much you play. If you notice that your sound seems lackluster, you experience more resistance when you play, or reed selection is more difficult than normal, it could be the mouthpiece. It’s always a good idea to have a bac ..read more

Happy Friday! I wanted to share a quick tip to help you improve your sound. We all know that air is all-important (that’s why it’s called a “wind” instrument), and the connection between air and sound is closely related. The quick tip? If you’re looking to improve your sound, focus on the air you’re using. A steady sound is a reflection of steady air. If your tone is wobbly, your air is probably wobbly. If there are spikes in your sound, there are spikes in your air flow. Take a moment to analyze your sound. Be detailed in what you’d like to improve – smoother sound (smoother air); louder soun ..read more

If you’re the proud owner of a new clarinet, congratulations! (Don’t worry if you’re still trying to choose a new clarinet – I’ve got you covered with some of my pro tips to help you select a new clarinet.) As you break in your new clarinet and familiarize yourself with the sound, feel, and tuning, I recommend having it set up and customized by a qualified repair tech. (If you’re looking how to assemble your clarinet, click here.) What does it mean to customize or set up your clarinet? Professional clarinets have remarkable consistency from one instrument to the next, but this also means that ..read more

Buying a new clarinet is an exciting event, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many different options available today, which is why I’m here to help! (This article is intended to help current clarinetists upgrade and select a new clarinet. If you’re buying your first clarinet, check out my complete guide to buying your first clarinet.) Here are my pro tips to help you select a new clarinet: Narrow it down Play-testing clarinets Making a decision Next steps Congratulations, you’ve selected a new clarinet! Here are a few more things you should do next: I hope this article helps you se ..read more

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I believe that air is the cause of the majority of issues clarinetists experience. Learning how to properly use our air is crucial to developing better sound, technique, phrasing and more on the clarinet. An essential part of using our air is learning how to take effective breaths when we are playing a piece of music. Here’s my advice to help you narrow it down so you can take fewer, better breaths: Where should I breathe? Please note that these are general breathing suggestions. Each piece of music is different and will benefit from different appro ..read more

Clarinet HERstory is a new retrospective series on Jenny Clarinet which celebrates women throughout clarinet history (aka HERstory). Do you have a recommendation for a clarinetist to feature in an upcoming post in Clarinet HERstory? Contact me here. English musician Eileen Betsy Tranmer (1910-1983) was an accomplished clarinetist and chess player who held the title of Woman International Master. Eileen was a leading figure in the British chess scene during the mid-20th century, and she won the British Women’s Chess Championship four times. Additionally, she won and shared 5th-7th place in the ..read more