Expert: Malcolm Dickinson - 12/2/2006

Question
I have been playing since 5th grade. I am in the school band I dont feel very challeged(Did i metion I was in the highschool band and have been playing 5 years?). But I took I summer band camp that taught me more than anything at school (took it 3 years). Well my point is that I printed tons of free sheet music off a site. And I try to play some of it in different octaves(to challege myself alittle). The problem is I can't go higher than a high D, you know  the really high one? I have checked fingering chart at school but it shows that as the highest. Is there any higher note and if so can I find a chart with it on it?


Sincerely,

Sarah White

P.S. If you have any tips as to keep myself challeged a player, please tell me. Thanks ;-)

Answer
Oh yes, there are MANY notes higher than D! The common range for advanced high school band music (first clarinet parts) is up to high G and sometimes to high A (that's the note sitting on the fourth ledger line above the staff).

I recommend the book "Lazarus Method for Clarinet, volume 1" which costs about $19 and has a blue cover. In the front it has a wonderful fingering chart which goes all the way up to high A and even includes three more notes (Bb, B, and C) which are so high that they are never used!

But mostly what I recommend is that you find a good clarinet teacher and take some lessons. get a one hour lesson once a week. It may be a bit expensive - but even if you only take 6 lessons and then stop, you will be a MUCH more advanced clarinet player as a result! And if you keep taking lessons for an entire year, you will be so much better that you won't be able to believe it!

If you don't want to buy the Lazarus book, you can also find lots of fingering charts on the web. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/yer5w9

One of my favorite fingering chart sites is http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/

If you DO get the Lazarus book, turn to the middle and check out the "50 progressive duets" by Kueffner. Those duets are WONDERFUL and I use them with all my students. The first ones are very easy, and gradually as you move through them, they get harder and harder. Please take that book with you to your clarinet lesson and work with your teacher on those 50 duets.

best,
Malcolm

P.S. if you live in Connecticut or New York, you can call me for lessons at 203-323-0600