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What tricky passage are you struggling with?
This week I’d love to know about tricky passages you’re working on! Whether it’s from clarinet repertoire, an audition you’re preparing, pieces you’re learning with your community band or just a…
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Why did you choose the clarinet?
Did you choose to play the clarinet? Or does it sometimes feel like the clarinet chose you? We all have a story of how we came to be clarinet players. How did you discover the clarinet and what about…
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What monthly challenges would you love to see on tonebase clarinet?
We’re now almost at the end of our second monthly challenge on tonebase clarinet, and I’ve tried two very different approaches to these challenges, and loved seeing your participation in both of them.…
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Who was your first clarinet teacher and what did they teach you?
When I was 11, I joined my school band (which was very small, I think there were only 8 of us!) and my first teacher was a wonderful man called Mr. Dowling, who actually was a tuba player!…
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What do you play to test your reed?
A bit of an unusual one this week… I have this pattern of notes I play every time I first pick up the clarinet. I’ve done the same pattern for so long now,…
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What reeds are you using?
This week I want to talk about reeds: what brands and strengths of reeds are you using on your clarinet? On my soprano clarinets I use the Vandoren V12s, strength 3.5.…
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What apps are you using to help with your practice?
What apps do you use to help with practicing? My collection includes: ForScore - I have this on my iPad and it’s where all of my scores are kept: I love it for so many reasons,…
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What’s your favorite clarinet album art?
Let’s talk album art! From moody black-and-white portraits to bold, abstract designs, clarinet albums come with a surprising range of visuals. This week, we want to know:…
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If you could master the technique of any clarinetist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Dear fellow tonebase clarinetists, Imagine for a moment, closing your eyes, playing that first note, and when you open them, you have the impeccable technique of one of the world's most iconic…
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What is your favorite clarinet accessory?
Do you have a clarinet accessory that you can’t live without? There are so many to choose from these days! Maybe it's a Koiiman thumb rest, a harness or a special case for your reeds? Or,…
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What is your go-to piece of clarinet music that always lifts your mood?
Dear fellow clarinetists! I’m curious: What is your go-to piece of clarinet music that always brings a smile to your face and lifts your mood? For me, it’s Evan Zipporyn playing Steve Reich’s New…
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Show us Your Mouthpiece!
This week, I wanted to ask you: what mouthpiece do you play? Have you always played the same one? Have you ever considered upgrading your mouthpiece? Share a photo of your mouthpiece (or mouthpieces!…
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A Recording That Never Gets Old
Some recordings have an almost magical quality—no matter how many times we listen, we always discover something new. Whether it’s the subtle phrasing of a legendary pianist,…
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Your Favorite “A-Ha” Moment on tonebase
As musicians, we’re always striving to deepen our understanding and refine our craft. Sometimes, all it takes is one key insight—a fresh perspective, a technical breakthrough,…
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How Do You Deal with Performance Anxiety?
🎶 Discussion of the Week: How Do You Deal with Performance Anxiety? 🎶 No matter how experienced we are, performance anxiety is something many musicians and singers face at some point in their…
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What’s the Last Concert That Inspired You?
🎶 Discussion of the Week: What’s the Last Concert That Inspired You? 🎶 As musicians, we know that live performances have the power to move us, challenge us, and reignite our passion for music.…
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What is your favorite Etude book?
We’ve all probably spent our fair share of hours playing etudes. Is there a book – old or new – that stands out to you? It could be one of the old reliable books,…
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What advice would you give to someone just starting to play the clarinet?
Let’s try to think back to when we first started learning to play the clarinet. What’s the one thing where you think, “I wish someone had told me this” about our amazing instrument?…
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Have you ever played the wrong clarinet in a concert?
If you play in an orchestra, band, or even in chamber music, and you’re switching back and forth between Bb and A clarinets, it can sometimes be a little bit too easy to grab the wrong one.…
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Show us your mouthpiece!
We clarinetists can often get a little obsessive about our mouthpieces, and it’s no wonder: it’s the piece of equipment that has the greatest impact on our sound, range and articulation,…
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What's your favorite piece for wind/concert band?
A lot of us tonebase clarinetists play in a wind/concert band and understandably love every minute of it! There’s nothing quite like sitting in a big section of clarinets and we usually get the best…
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What is on your musical bucket list?
We all have dreams and aspirations that drive our musical journeys! Whether it's mastering a challenging piece, performing at a specific venue, or collaborating with a favorite artist,…
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Who are your clarinet heroes?
We all have clarinetists in mind, whose concerts we’ve seen or teaching we’ve experienced, who inspire us to reach new heights! 🌟 Who are your clarinet heroes? Whether it’s a legendary performer,…
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What is your favorite time of day to practice and why?
We all have our unique rhythms when it comes to practice, and we want to hear from you! What’s your favorite time of day to dive into your music, and why?…
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Share a picture of what’s on your music stand!
We want to see what’s inspiring you! Share a photo of your music stand and let us in on the pieces you’re currently working on. Whether it’s your current solo repertoire, a favorite book of studies,…
