While scales, whether they be major, minor, chromatic, or any other type, aren't the most exciting part of playing the clarinet, they're a necessary part of music education. The chromatic scale on the clarinet is unique because the clarinet, unlike other woodwinds with more limited ranges, can play it three octaves, once the player masters the altissimo notes. This scale is often required for auditions and it offers great opportunities to master your fingering chart, learn alternate fingerings, and practice playing smoothly and quickly.
Step 1
Understand what a chromatic scale is. Unlike major scales, which follow a pattern of whole and half steps, a chromatic scale is played by starting on one note, playing every single note in between in chronological order, hitting the same note on another octave, and then doing the same thing in reverse until you reach the original note. In case that doesn't make sense, take a look at this picture of a written chromatic scale, starting on C:
Step 2
Understand enharmonics. Enharmoincs are notes that sound the same, but are written differently. If you're familiar with the layout of a piano keyboard, you should have an idea of how this works. A sharp raises a note one half-step. A flat lowers it one half-step. The white keys on a piano are the natural notes, and the black ones are flats and sharps. The black key between the D and E is the Eb/D# key, as it's one half-step below the E, and one half-step above the D. Hence, enharmonics. Many notes have two names, and when reading music to play a chromatic scale, you will likely encounter this.
Step 3
Be familiar with the clarinet's register system. On most instruments, a low D and a high D are fingered the same way, with an octave key on the back to change octaves. However, because of the clarinet's design, the key on the back of the clarinet is called the register key, and pressing it bring the note up a twelfth, not an octave (eighth). Because of this, most fingerings on the clarinet have two names. For instance, the thumb hole and the first three toneholes covered produces a C, and when the register key is added, the note becomes a high G. Especially if you switched from a saxophone or other instrument with an octave key, this will be important to know.
Step 4
Warm up. To play a smooth, clean chromatic scale, you'll need to have your reed and your hands warmed up and ready to play.
Step 5
Choose a starting note. Remember that whatever note you choose, you'll need to be able to hit the one at least an octave above it. A good note to try would be low G (the one below the staff), especially if you're a relatively new beginner. Usually, when a chromatic scale is requested as part of an audition, it's supposed to start on low G or the E below that. Keep in mind that you may see these notes referred to as Concert F and Concert D, respectively.
Step 6
Play the scale one octave using a fingering chart (you'll play every "box" until the you reach the top note) or written copy of the scale. If you started on low G (concert F), you'll play low G, low G#, A, Bb, B, and so on, until you reach the next G up (in this case, the G on the second line of the staff from the bottom), and then you'll start on your way back down to low G -- G, F#, F, E, Eb, and so on. Practice this in whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, etc., and see how quickly you can play it cleanly. You should be able to hear each note clearly defined, even if you're playing in sixteenth notes.
Step 7
Work up to two, and even three octaves. If you've been playing for a year or two, the second octave shouldn't be a problem at all. If you start on low G, you'll just keep going until you reach the second G above that, which would be the G on top of the staff, and then go back to your starting note. The third octave will take more time to master, but if you make a habit of practicing and really work on your altissimo notes, you'll be able to play that in time, as well.
Tips
- Keep in mind that with auditions, more octaves = more points. In most auditions consisting of a prepared piece, major scales, and a chromatic scale, the clarinet can potentially earn the highest score of any of the instruments, because it can play scales a third octave. That third octave could mean the difference between first chair in an honor band or somewhere much farther down.
- Experiment with alternate fingerings. Especially in the altissimo register, they can make a big difference.
If you're trying to play quickly and your reed isn't responding fast enough to keep the scale clean-sounding, consider trying filed reeds (also called French File cut reeds), which have a little more of the base of the cane shaved off, for a faster response time. - If you're having trouble with your high notes, consider a harder reed.
- Many method books include chromatic scales starting on certain notes and/or chromatic scale exercises. These can be very helpful to your playing, and can even be fun to play.
- Practice the scale starting on all the notes, not just G. You never know when you'll have to play a chromatic scale from a "weird" note like Ab. Be prepared.
- Having the chromatic scale memorized can be a handy thing, and will provide you with an instant, sheet music-free warm up wherever you are. This will also have you a step ahead of the game if you start preparing for an audition where you must have it memorized.
Warnings
- Try not to get frustrated. Especially when playing higher octaves where the notes just won't come out, it's easy to become angry with yourself. If this happens, simply set your clarinet down in a safe place, take a break, and then come back and try again. You'll learn eventually... it just takes time.
- When memorizing the chromatic scale (as this is often required for auditions), make sure you're memorizing the notes, not the fingerings. Otherwise, if you get distracted in the middle of the scale, you'll be unable to pick back up and will have to start over, thus causing a bigger point deduction than you would've gotten simply for the mess-up.
Things You'll Need
- Clarinet
- Fingering chart and/or written chromatic scale
