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The (clarinet) break

Posted by Struggling on 9/2/2025, 7:44 am

I'm preparing for this and have always struggled - how do you go about getting the clarinets to have a good tone and technique when they go over the break?

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by Curious on 9/4/2025, 4:26 pm, in reply to "The (clarinet) break"

To prepare students for the clarion register, we work on what we call rockets. Play a note in the chalumeau register then add the register key. My progression is C-G, Bb-F, A-E, G-D, F-C, E-B, then moving up C-G, D-A, E-B, F-C.

Paula Corley's book "So You Want to Play the Clarinet" has a page dedicated to this transition that works wonders with my kids. Crossing the break isn't hard if you present it correctly.

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by Scuba Steve on 9/3/2025, 10:20 pm, in reply to "The (clarinet) break"

First of all, don’t tell them it is “difficult.”

What a great friend and teacher taught me, who was an all state clarinet player, as beginners, get them to play a low E cold as quickly as possible. So, as in, this school year, my goal is for them to play a low E by around Christmas Break, a few weeks before or after is sufficient.

Once they can play the low E cold, and I model it for them, then they are ready for register key exercises. You have them play the low E, and YOU press the register key, that way they don’t change their embouchure in anticipation .

Start them going down on C->G, Bb->F, A->E, G->D, all the way down to E->B. Then go up from C->G and lift up a finger, through F-> C.

Bb Major Scale, slowly and as they get to that G, have them, and model it for them, put their right hand down in preparation so it is easier going from A->B.

If you methodically teach it to them, it’ll be easy. Most of your kids will be able to do it. It takes time. If you tell them it is difficult before you even teach it to them, it’ll be difficult.

I hope this helps. For 2nd year players still struggling, I’d check them on the low E and modify the pace as needed.

Steve

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by BDSO on 9/2/2025, 7:13 pm, in reply to "The (clarinet) break"

We don't refer to it in any specific terms other than "Hey, we are learning new notes". Some will get it right away, others will struggle, just like all instruments when they get to higher notes. If their low range is solid, the notes above Bb will be easier.

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by really retired on 9/2/2025, 5:32 pm, in reply to "The (clarinet) break"

have them play a low C - good strong tone etc. - you walk up and touch the octave key. It should just jump up "across the break." Hey, it worked for me.

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by Me on 9/2/2025, 11:46 am, in reply to "The (clarinet) break"

Um.. first, stop calling it a "break" - it's a register change. Break infers "broken" as if there's something wrong with it. I heard that from a great clarinet player a couple years back.

Proper tongue and mouthpiece placement, and finger technique, should make a register change simple. They don't need to "do" anything other than change the fingers.

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by me too on 9/2/2025, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Re: The (clarinet) break"

Can you elaborate on tongue placement for someone like me who is not a woodwind player?

Re: The (clarinet) break

Posted by Me on 9/3/2025, 7:44 am, in reply to "Re: The (clarinet) break"

This may be not correct, but it's what I was taught by some of my woodwind friends.

"HEE"

Tongue should be high-ish in the mouth, not flat and low like brass.

Feel free to correct, Clarinet players

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