The Definitive How to Play Clarinet Guide for Beginners with Timestamps!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

If you found this helpful, and want to go further, especially with "The Secret to Future Success" section, then a perfect next step would be to Test Drive The Next Generation Clarinet Method 100% for free at www.quickstartclarinet.com/testdrive

[@robertbrunner2527]

I watched this entire video; it is clear, direct, and professional. I've never played the clarinet, but your instruction and enthusiasm have encouraged me to buy an instrument and begin studying. One suggestion: Nowhere do you tell us your name. Let your potential students know who you are. Robert

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yay! I’m so excited that you are starting your clarinet journey! In my newer videos I have my name in my introduction 😊

[@sharonusher]

Brilliant ! From zero to playing a tune in one sitting. So clear. So helpful. You’ve started me off on an exciting musical journey😊

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yay! I'm glad you found it clear and helpful. Have fun!

[@suecook9]

Please don't laugh but I have come to the clarinet very late - I am 61- after wanting to play since I saw Acket Bilk live about 30 years ago ! I have learnt so much from this tutorial and can't wait to continue on my journey.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yay, I'm glad it was helpful! You would be surprised at how many people come to music later in life!

[@melanieswoolworkshop]

This tutorial is incredible. I've just bought my first clarinet at age 49 to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing at Christmas with the salvation army, as hearing them play when I was 19 helped me out of a dark place. I grew up playing the recorder in all my school concerts and feel these skills will transfer well. Signed up on your website too. So happy I found you ❤

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yay! I'm glad it was helpful! Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions, and I hope you are able to fulfill that dream!

[@brunoselles3403]

Dude, what a great tutorial, Im starting out on the clarinet after playing guitar for a while, this helped a ton!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks, I’m glad you found it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@jinlu7927]

True that! 😊

[@chelastgamer55]

I'm about to do the same lol

[@herrnagot4343]

Thank you I´m 60 years old and bought a Clarinet on an auction just for fun 3 years ago. Have never played it until I watch your video today. An i actually got it so sound, ok not in anyway perfect but I did the scale practices with ok result. Lets see were this adventure will end... Though I have some knowledge in music playing guitar/bas/drums and piano for 45 years ;-)

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Congratulations! Have fun playing and learning!

[@herrnagot4343]

@@QuickStartClarinet How long does it takes to get the mouth to adapt to the insturment, I practis just simple scale 15-20 minutes aday now. As for playing guitar it takes like 2 weeks of "pain" in the fingers to get the right thickness. I guess its somthing similar to the mouth as well in the beginning. ?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Good question! In general clarinet shouldn’t hurt nearly as much as guitar. Your mouth does strengthen a bit over time, but in general you shouldn’t be having much discomfort unless you have been playing over an hour, or your bottom teeth are particularly sharp. Make sure that your reed isn’t too hard and that you aren’t biting too hard with your embouchure. Try and relax the mouth a little and let the air do the work.

[@samuelconnolly347]

This is a godsend! I am a complete beginner, and I am self-teaching (I actually got the clarinet because I want to learn the duduk, and I figured the clarinet would help me with that; that, and I absolutely adore the sound). Clarinet KZbin is sadly lacking from what I can see. Very different to piano, guitar, violin and other instruments where there are endless numbers of very good teaching channels. Very few for clarinet though, so you have your niche here! Really useful video, and you're a great teacher. The sound preparation process section especially helped correct problems I was having.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Awesome! I'm glad that you found this video helpful. Let me know if there is anything in particular you are struggling with and I can either point you in the right direction towards a video, or make one!

[@heatherwhatley4947]

Hi, thanks very much for a great tutorial. I play the sax and have just started on the clarinet (more difficult than I first thought) bust your help is invaluable and very comprehensive. Im 72 years old....never too late to learn, I reckon! Thanks again!😄

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Ya, you can do it! Let me know if you have questions about anything!

[@brendanharding6617]

Thanks

[@dra9onf1re]

This video is answering all my questions. Love it.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

❤️ let me know if you have any other questions I can help with!

[@mackenziedelrey3699]

wow, very in depth! you rock! thanks for taking the time to put this together!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks! I hope it is helpful!

[@gregglind]

This video worked for me. Using the clarinet I borrowed on Buy Nothing this morning (a Yamaha student model), I went from *nothing* to HOT CROSS BUNS today. I particularly liked the tips about * mouthpiece playing to F# (which I did for a while) * note preparation * tonguing.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Fantastic! I'm glad it was helpful, and let me know if you have any questions!

[@danielsharett2163]

I wish I could like this twice to help with the algorithm, just starting out on the clarinet and this has been my favorite video so far! Thank you

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Awesome! I’m glad you are liking it and thanks for commenting!

[@cheerfulgoth]

Wonderful reintroduction to clarinet, thank you! I played for several years in school, but that was 30 years ago. I kinda forgot most of it.😅

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad you found it helpful, and I hope you are enjoying getting back into it!

[@kharmaviv]

This is such a wonderful video. You are such a great teacher. You take the simplest melody "Hot Cross Buns" and give us so much information. My trouble is understanding rythm. If i hear it, i get it, (i'm legally blind so i have to learn a lot by ear. Still, I enjoy learning music theory.) but i have trouble understanding the time signature. You are so dedicated and the time it took making this video (and all your others). I had to watch this video in parts so i could obsorb and process everything you teach in this video. I am a new subscriber now because of the care you take in making these videos. I'm so appreciative of your time and dedication. . Thank you! 🙏 🥰 🎶

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thank you, and thanks for subscribing! This video definitely has a ton of information in it, and is very much meant to be absorbed in smaller chunks. For rhythm, check out my playlist of rhythm videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLR5AmyeNGn5_Q0vaGaQ1aCJRPGf2qqQr-&si=b1VDU5ORwSTLI9XE You can peruse the titles and find what will be the most helpful for you!

[@curiousclementine77]

I love you! You are the best teacher ever. Thank you!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Aww, thank you! I'm glad you found this helpful!

[@exemptfromgravity]

Excellent tutorial! I don't own a clarinet, but just had a random thought of wanting to know how to play one and ended up here. Hopefully I'll return to your video someday when I don't live in an apartment with thin walls :)

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Awesome! I have practiced in an apartment for years with no problems. If you are able to play during day time hours you should go for it! Also if you aren’t already a musician there is a lot you can learn about music without making too much noise and before you get it a clarinet. Good luck!

[@familyofspiders5750]

Great instructions/teaching and enjoyable easy going vibe too. We just got a Clarinet from a op shop (Thrift shop) today and even with a broken reed I'm making some sounds. I have never locked in musical notation. Ironically I was working on a screen print design with shirts yesterday with the musical notation notes for a folk festival we are having a stall (we make shirts) and I thought buggered if I know what any of them mean but now you got me inspired and thinking I can decipher these weird symbols!!! Were into experimental music and just love playing with sound, as per our vids but I think you have got me thinking I can not just make sounds but know what notes they are on the clarinet> Lil chuckle with all the fingering and tonguing though!! (Might just be Auzzie slang)

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad you found it helpful, and I wish you the very best on your new clarinet journey! You may find these videos really helpful for getting started with notation: kzbin.info/aero/PLR5AmyeNGn5_GJT76og6--blOhzrT4y1k Let me know if you have any questions!

[@thegamingpanda7343]

That was a great indepth startup tutorial. Thank you sm! My Clarinet gets here tomorrow!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@TheTechRancher]

How has your clarinet journey gone so far? Did this help you get a good start?

[@herb2968]

excellant tutorial. thanks for taking the time to introduce this wonderful instrument to a newbie like myself. Im about half way through this video so far. I played a sax for about 6 months but didnt like the heavy weight of it. ive been playing an alto recorder for about 2 years and then i ordered a nuvo Dood so i could get my embouchure back in shape. waiting for my clarinet to arrive as i watch this video. Your articulation and clarification is excellant and i will continue to watch your videos on my journey. I played guitar for many years so i have a solid music background, read music, etc. Im really looking forward to learning to play the clarinet.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I’m glad this has been helpful! Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

[@herb2968]

i certainly will, thank you.@@QuickStartClarinet

[@henrybotchway3974]

you are an excellent teacher, thank you very much❤

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks! I hope it is helpful for you!

[@micheleizzard4039]

Wow, thank you. I have learnt so much...and now to practice !!!😄

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I’m glad you found it helpful. Happy practicing!

[@emmanueldarkoh1114]

Wow! This is helpful

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@buffalocrackerdong6978]

Very good milkshake advice. 10/10.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@xDarkenPixie]

I'm so glad I found your channel! I'm a cello player, but I've always wanted to try clarinet. I'm going to go rent one tomorrow!!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@xDarkenPixie]

@@QuickStartClarinet I do have one quick question? Which starter books would you recommend? Sorry if you answered that somewhere else, lol.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Especially if you know how to read music already you should get my book! It’s a method book with video lessons built in. You can learn more about it at www.quickstartclarinet.com/nextgenbook

[@flaviuscountry]

You're a good teacher, man! Thanks 👍

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@theresmore2learn516]

Thank you for your video. Just received my clarinet in mail, and I’m super excited to follow your lessons. I’m wondering where did u get that wonderful musical fabric behind you!! It’s terrific!!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Awesome! I got it as a gift so I’m not sure where it came from, but it does make a good backdrop! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@BobEvans-j3l]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Amper-o-mat]

Very nice, thank you...I have a question: When stop playing, do I have to put the reed out of the ligature or it can stay in there for next usage?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Great question! You should take the reed off every time. When you leave the reed on the mouthpiece to dry it will warp and generally once a reed warps it is really hard for them to be good again. You should also swab your instrument after you are done each time, which you can learn more about here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4PMpoZ8nd-dd8ksi=b-VU8T2CJP3rFG1b

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

Thanks for making this video, really useful.

[@freetidjane]

Thank you so much for sharing !

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks for watching!

[@Maria_Maria_San]

Very informative! I use to play violin, but I saw a clarinet in the music shop and I got very interested with it. I’m planning to buy one, but my problem is I’m living in an apartment. I’m not sure if the clarinet would sound too loud. Do you have any thoughts how loud would it be if played normally?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I have played very loud and obnoxious music in many apartments (and even hotels) over the years and never had any complaints. As long as you are doing it during waking hours, and don't go on for too long I think anybody who can hear it should be able to tolerate it.

[@kwcnasa]

Practice 5F# @0:32:40, thumb position @0:48:30,

[@chaplaindonrussell]

Thank you

[@user-xn2zk9st1c]

It is easy said then done about the fingers possition

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yes, that is definitely true! As much as possible try not to overcomplicate it though. Your hand position may not look exactly like mine, you just want to find something that is relaxed and natural and covers the holes.

[@majosacha5189]

Great video!

[@melissanutter]

I played from 5th grade to 9th. I never read music until then but always was able to play. I am not 53 years old. I wonder if I can get back into it and see music as I did then.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

You should give it a try!

[@prs7001]

Superb teaching...bravo!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thank you!

[@jsivonenVR]

Good “deep-dive” about the subtle techniques and things that are hard to catch on most videos! At least for us total Clara noobs 👶🏻

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Glad it was helpful for you!

[@jsivonenVR]

@@QuickStartClarinet already grabbed a boatload of your other videos to my watchlist. 👌🏻 2 days since I got my hands on the instrument and already spitting out semi-recognizable tunes! 🎼🎵🎶🔥

[@QuickStartClarinet]

That’s awesome!!! Let me know if there is anything you have questions about or anything you can’t find a video on!

[@andrewlabat9963]

You're so right about a cheap new one vs. a good use one from a reputable brand. I looked at a lot of videos, reviews, before deciding one a Yamaha YCL-255 for my granddaughter. It's practically new, and I saved about 75% off the price of a new one. Same price a much cheaper clarinet, but a much better product. Thanks for the reed suggestion, I had no idea what to get her, or a difference. I ordered her some..

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yes! If you can find a good deal on something like the YCL-255 then you will have a solid quality instrument for a good bit of time.

[@whoitisnot]

Or you could try a double lip embouchure and make it all so much simpler. Lots of good concepts in the parts I sampled though. Too many concepts all at once on the first tune! Tonguing and slurring, 8th's, quarters, and half notes, the staff, oh my. That's why it took 10 minutes at lightning speed to explain how to play a 10 second ditty. You need to break it down into more concrete practiced steps for most real beginniners to actually experience success!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Double lip is great! I’m not sure how I feel about starting beginners on double lip though and the point of this video was to go over everything someone needs to know, and in my opinion a good single lip embouchure is imperative even if you play double lip occasionally as well. That being said the video is super dense because I was trying to cover everything. In my mind this video is geared a bit more towards adults, and regardless of age, I intended it as something you could gradually watch and rewatch over the course of several weeks to go from starting out to being a really established beginner. You have some good ideas though, have you ever considered making content yourself?

[@ppancada]

Thank you, excellent explanation, good foundation habits and well structured contents ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@myobun]

i’m learning clarinet after playing flute for 8 years, thank u for this 😭

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad it was helpful, let me know if you have any questions!

[@chesleygirlviolinmusic5629]

Hello. May I know what kind of clarinet you are using? Is it soprano?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yes it is a soprano Bb clarinet. This is by far the most standard and common clarinet! My particular instrument is a Buffet Tradition.

[@finnmertens8144]

What for do we have to have several reeds? When we buy a Clarinet it has already got a reed.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Reeds break and wear out over time. Since it is constantly vibrating against the mouthpiece it is continuously wearing out and getting softer. Rotating through a few reeds and constantly breaking in new reeds helps you to have a few reeds that feel differently and helps you to have a baseline for what a good reed should feel like so that you know when your reed is getting old and too soft.

[@chaplaindonrussell]

When I get to the eighth not it squeaks. Is that because of the way my mouth is formed around the mouthpiece, the clarinet or something else?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

The number one cause for squeaking is a finger problem, especially if you are finding squeaks when you are starting to move your fingers faster on the eighth notes, then you are probably uncovering a hole or bumping a key and getting a slight leak. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@gio867]

For embouchure I fold my bottom lip over me teeth and move lower jaw instead of tongue for stopping notes, is this way worse?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yep! You should have the bottom lip over the bottom teeth for sure, but using your jaw to articulate is definitely not the best. The reason for that is because the jaw is really inefficient. First of all you have to put kind of a lot of pressure to get the sound to stop (maybe not on your current reed, but if your reed is that soft you will probably not be able to get high notes to work well, and/or your lip is too close to the tip of the reed so you aren't getting as full of a sound as you could). Second it is really hard to precisely go from all the pressure to get the note stopped back to exactly the right pressure for the note to sound. We want the jaw pressure and embouchure to be just about as steady as possible, so if you are moving to articulate you will have trouble. Finally, you realistically won't be able to articulate very fast if you have to move your whole jaw so much. Check out this video for help getting started with tonguing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3uzdZ9mgtafsLc Good luck!

[@gio867]

@@QuickStartClarinet thank you so much for the detailed reply!

[@danielribastandeitnik9550]

How I wish I had found this video earlier. Out of impulse I bought a 120 euros Clarinet on Amazon because the reviews were positive. I never played a clarinet before and I never held one on my hands, but I always wanted to learn to play it because I love its timbre. The clarinet arrived and I was impressed by its apparent quality (but I was mistaken), but I couldn't produce a decent sound with it unless I putted A LOT of air pressure (and even like this the sound was not good, I heard a lot of air escaping). I watched a lot of videos explaining how to properly produce sound on the clarinet, but nothing was improving the sound I was getting and the amount of air pressure that the instrument was demanding me troubled me. So I stumbled on this video and resolved to buy a more expensive beginner clarinet, the Yamaha 255S, and a good reed from D'addario (strength 2.0). It arrived today and, oh man, what a HUGE difference. First the quality of the instrument. The 130 euros looked like it had good quality to me, but just because I didn't have a standard. The ABS resin that the 255S is made is much more dense than the cheap plastic the cheap clarinet is made, it just feel 10x more robust. The keys look a lot more robust too. Finally, I assembled the clarinet, placed the 2.0 D'addario reed and FIRST TRY, not making effort, a clear beautiful tone came from the instrument. Yeah guy, DON'T buy the cheap clarinets they sell on Amazon, they are not worth it.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Yay, I’m glad it helped! Sometimes the cheap instruments work, especially if you put them with a good reed and mouthpiece, but you never know when you will get one that is just terrible.

[@chaplaindonrussell]

When I get to the eighth not it squeaks.

[@Inkwell905]

My clarinet did not come with a swab sound put a sock on a pencil and put it inside the clarinet to clean it

[@QuickStartClarinet]

That’s a good temporary solution!

[@angiepangie112]

When I was imitating the heeeuuu sound with a circular shape in the lips on the clarinet traingle, you accidentally tought me how to whistle!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

That's awesome! Some people suggest the clarinet embouchure should be kind of like whistling, so it seems like you are on the right track!

[@herrnagot4343]

Have played clarinet for a total of 3.5 hours and already gets a contract. Someone wants to get rid of their neighbors ... I am making progress.... :-)

[@volvodr66]

If it's a paid gig, it counts right? Lol

[@elissahunt]

I think the really cheap plastic instruments aren't worth the money. They vary widely in quality from okay to horrible, and some literally aren't playable. A beginner wouldn't be able to tell if the problem is them or the instrument. What you save in cost will be more than doubled in frustration. You're better off buying a decent used clarinet and having a repair person inspect and repair it. I bought a student clarinet at a fund-raising auction for $25. I and my husband (a professional) both played on it and it worked fine. I donated it to the local band program. A friend found a Revelle wooden clarinet at a yard sale for $10. No cracks, needs some cork and pads replaced. Pawn shops can be another source of decent used instruments for not much investment. Look around--there are true bargains out there.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I agree completely! If you need a clarinet now and all you have is $100 then the cheap ones can make due, but in 99.9% of circumstances I would recommend looking for a name brand instrument.

[@Robyn19fnq]

I agree. I luckily picked up a Buffet Crampon B12 second hand for AUD140. It works fine, and repairers will not turn their noses up if it needs work. I added a Legere reed, and all is good.

[@barefacedquestions]

Genuine question: What are possible reasons a clarinet was sold at less than $50 in a yard sale? Is lack of knowledge the only reason? I'm curious because I assume one needs to be reasonably good at clarinet in order to tell that a $25 secondhand clarinet is still of good quality and not a dud.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Good question! I think with garage sales usually people just want to get rid of their stuff and that is the main goal so you definitely can’t tell the value based on garage sale pricing. With a good repair person, as long as the main body of the instrument is in tact (meaning no major cracks or obvious breaks or damage to the bore), it can be repaired to great playing condition. Now the cost of that can be anywhere between $100-$1,000+ depending on the work it needs and the cost of repairs in your area. The most important thing to be looking at is probably the brand in this case. If it is a reputable brand like Yamaha, Buffet, Selmer, etc. at

[@barefacedquestions]

@@QuickStartClarinet Thank you for the detailed answer. I will keep that in mind.

[@gamingwithlexi9730]

Lol u called the bell the barrel

[@QuickStartClarinet]

🤣 I’m glad you know what I meant!

[@TheodoreVealsr-bx4hr]

I don't know what I have I think I have a clarinet but it's not like yours it's a white clarinet

[@QuickStartClarinet]

White clarinets do exist. If the shape and keys look about the same then it is probably a clarinet. The mouthpiece and reed would also be good indicators!

[@icyfox1504]

Praise Jesus Christ tbh ❤

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@SammySamson-o1m]

Ok give a instrument

[@JamesAllen-c8v]

Davis Sandra Moore Dorothy Walker Deborah

[@TheScorpioHime]

I play flute and have recently picked up clarinet. I used to play clarinet in high school. The sound part is very helpful because dealing with a reed is super odd to me 😂

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I’m glad it helped! If it makes you feel any better flute feels super weird to me 🤣

[@TheScorpioHime]

@@QuickStartClarinet they are! Going back and forth is super weird too. Only real bonus is knowing those high ledger notes from flute music

[@brendanharding6617]

Thanks

[@brendanharding6617]

Thanks