When you've been playing clarinet for several years, teaching is a fun and exciting experience. This is where your clarinet expertise will really help someone else. Not only will your teachings bring someone else into the wonderful world of music, but it will also test what you've learned.
Step 1
Be sure that you have experience. You shouldn't even attempt to teach until you have several years' playing experience, and have a good understanding of music theory. You'll also need a college degree if you plan to become a band director at a school, but this isn't as important if you're just teaching your little sibling, the kid down the street, or the freshman bassoon player who just switched to clarinet.
Step 2
Find a pupil. Chances are, your first teaching experience will just "happen" somewhat informally, when someone comes to you interested in playing. You might want to get a start by talking to junior members of your band who are having trouble or offering to help out at a local elementary or middle school (if you went there yourself, the director will probably be thrilled to have your help). If you plan to give private lessons for money, try putting an ad in the newspaper.
Step 3
Help them get what they'll need to get started. If you've been playing for a good while, you've probably owned at least two clarinets in that time. If you're teaching someone who doesn't yet have their own clarinet, you may offer to start them on your old beginner model, so that you're not held responsible by any parents if it doesn't work out and they've just spent several hundred dollars on a new clarinet. They'll also need, at the very least, a couple of reeds (2 - 3 strength, for a brand new beginner), and at least the bare minimum of supplies to keep the clarinet clean - a swab. If you're teaching a student who already plays in a school band and owns this stuff, you're in good shape.
Step 4
Give your first lesson. Get an idea of how much your pupil already knows about music and ask if they've ever played an instrument before (young clarinet players have often played an instrument such as the recorder in elementary school, and it has many similarities to the clarinet). If they've already been doing some playing by themselves or are in a band, have them play for you to get an idea of how much they've learned and what they might need to work on. For a complete beginner, this will be your opportunity to teach them the basics, such as how to assemble the clarinet, how to produce a sound and form a good embouchure, and their first few notes. Bottom line E and the D and C below that are good first notes, as they're in an easy playing range, and they're fingered the same way as G, A, and B on the recorder, meaning that the student will probably make the connection and realize that they can already play a few songs.
Step 5
Continue to work with the student. With every lesson, introduce more notes and new rhythms. Begin teaching basic dynamics and articulations. You may wish to find a good series of method books to use to help the student move ahead. Encourage them to practice and stay involved with music, and progress through middle and high school bands. You may want to see if you can get the student involved with an event such as Solo and Ensemble when they're ready, or have them audition for an honor band. However, keep in mind that if they're a part of a school program, you may want to mention all this to their band director before you start sending in entry forms.
Step 6
Let things progress naturally. Teaching music isn't a science. Every student will be different - some will learn very quickly, and some may take a little more effort. There's no set time in which a clarinet player must become great... just continue helping them along.
Tips
- Always remember that teaching is not a science, and that applies to music as well. There is no set way or time limit that you should teach. With experience, you'll find a way that works for you.
- Remember that teaching doesn't necessarily have to be "formal" teaching. Just helping people as they need it is a great way to share your expertise and help others. As a drum major or senior band member, this is something you should always do.
- With younger children, a great way to help them grasp the concept of counting music is the pie game. It involves replacing rhythms with "pie" or various flavors of it. Click here for more information.
- Although there is no "official" order for teaching the notes, many method books and music teachers would say that the "best" ones to start with are (in order): E, D, C, F, G, B, A, and B flat, before moving to the lowest and higher notes. This is because most simple songs (they will recognize the songs and be able to play them better) contain these notes.
- To make changing notes easier (such as going from G to A or A to B flat), teach your pupil to keep his/her right hand covering the tone hole rings of the lower section as well as one of the the oval-shaped keys (the top right one). It will not affect the sound of the note, but will make playing easier. It also comes in handy when teaching your pupil to play higher notes - switching from a lower note (such as A) to high C or high B natural is difficult, but can be easier if some of the fingers are already in place.
- Remember to teach alternate fingerings. These make many trills and quick movements easier.
- Always stress the importance of learning the 12 major scales. While not the most fun part of learning any musical instrument, scales are important to know for auditions, and also help the student develop a solid understanding of key signatures.
- Be sure to teach correct care of the instrument, not just how to play it. Make sure your pupil understands the importance of swabbing, not playing after eating, not getting the clarinet wet, not putting the clarinet away with the reed still on the mouthpiece, etc.
Warnings
- Make sure you are teaching the correct way to do things, because if someone learns something wrong and forms a bad habit, such as puffing their cheeks when they play, it will be harder for them to break it later on.
- Don't try to teach if you're not confident with your playing abilities. As stated, if you teach someone wrong, it can take a long time to break the bad habits they may form.
- Don't get mad at your student if he/she doesn't understand what you are trying to teach. All students learn at their own pace, and yelling will upset both of you.
- If you're helping out a junior band member, be sure to sound helpful and encouraging, not like a know-it-all. Belittling them and their playing ability is rude and won't help either of you, and "No, I don't want any help" means no. Don't keep nagging.
Things You'll Need
- Several years of playing experience, at least.
- College degree in music (opt.)
- Willing student
- Acceptable clarinet to use
- Reeds (2, 2 1/2, or 3)
- Swab
- Any other clarinet supplies the student may wish to have
- Music and/or method books (opt.)
