Keeping Music Fun Over the Summer: Tips for Beginning to Advanced Clarinet Students

By Julianna Evans

Summer break is almost here, and while it’s a time for relaxation and fun, it’s also an opportunity for clarinet students to continue their musical journey and grow as musicians. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an advanced player looking to hone your skills, here are some tips to keep music enjoyable and engaging throughout the summer months:

For Beginning Clarinet Students

Explore Fun Repertoire:

Introduce beginner students to a variety of fun and catchy tunes that they’ll enjoy playing. Look for beginner-level clarinet music books with familiar songs or popular tunes to keep them motivated and excited about practicing. My students love this Taylor Swift songbook for clarinet and this book of 101 Disney Songs. I’ve also recently purchased this book of songs from Disney’s Encanto, which includes audio access so your student can play each song along with a backup track. If you’re looking for a specific pop song that has been transcribed for clarinet, I highly recommend Sheet Music Direct. They have a huge selection of music for every instrument that is typically available for instant download.

Incorporate Games and Activities:

Incorporate games and activities into the students’ routine to make practicing fun. For example, play musical bingo using note names or rhythms or create a scavenger hunt where students search for specific musical elements in pieces they’re learning. MusicTheory.net has many free exercises, tools, and lessons to keep your students engaged. If your student would rather play games on an app, these apps are great for on-the-go learning: Earpeggio and Waay: Learn Music Theory.

Set Achievable Goals:

Break down long-term goals into smaller, achievable milestones to keep students motivated and focused. Celebrate their progress and accomplishments along the way to boost their confidence and enthusiasm for learning. A lot of times I notice that it’s the “getting started” that is the main hurdle with practicing. I really like this set of 2-cube timers from Amazon that give you the option to set a time limit. If your students know that all they have to do is practice for 5 minutes, they can set the timer and get to work. Once the timer has gone off, they can either move to a different activity or continue to practice.

For Intermediate Clarinet Students

Experiment with Different Genres:

Encourage intermediate students to explore different musical genres outside of their comfort zone. Have them try playing jazz, blues, or klezmer music to broaden their musical horizons and keep their playing fresh and exciting. I really like this 15 Great Solo Etudes for Jazz Style and Improvisation. Composed by Jim Snidero and/or this Klezmer Tunes for Clarinet: 24 Pieces to incorporate in any student’s repertoire and to start introducing different styles of music.

Collaborate with Peers:

Organize group playing sessions or ensemble rehearsals with fellow clarinet students to foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Working together on music can be both inspiring and motivating for intermediate students. Sometimes, I have students work on duets over the summer to come up with a plan for Solo and Ensemble Competitions, which happen in the spring every year where I live. My students are also enjoying this book Disney Favorites for Two: Easy Instrumental Duets – Clarinet Edition.

For Advanced Clarinet Students

Dive into Chamber Music:

Challenge advanced students to explore chamber music repertoire and collaborate with other instrumentalists or small ensembles. Playing in a chamber music setting allows them to refine their listening skills and musical interpretation while enjoying the camaraderie of making music with others. If there are not any opportunities in your area for chamber music collaboration, I’ve found these resources to be helpful: Mozart Quintet in A, KV581, Music Minus One Clarinet, Music Minus One Softcover Audio Online, or just doing a quick Google search for “music-minus-one for clarinet” will yield many results. Also, don’t forget about the many free resources through https://imslp.org/.

Explore Solo Repertoire:

Guide advanced students in exploring solo repertoire that showcases their technical proficiency and musicality. Encourage them to experiment with different interpretations and expressiveness in their playing to keep their performances engaging and dynamic. Like mentioned before, https://imslp.org/ is a great resource to download standard literature for clarinet, and it’s FREE. If you don’t know where to begin, check out this video I made about the Best Free Clarinet Pieces.

Summer is the perfect time for clarinet students of all levels to continue their musical growth and exploration in fun and creative ways. By incorporating enjoyable repertoire, engaging activities, and personal goals into their practice routine, students can stay motivated and inspired to keep making music all summer long.

Remember, the most important thing is to keep music enjoyable and fulfilling for students, no matter their level. With the right approach and encouragement, summer can be a time of musical growth and discovery for clarinet students of all levels. Happy Practicing!