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The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing
Expert advice from a distinguished performer, teacher, and composer makes this lively study of the clarinet essential reading for students and instructors as well as other music lovers. One of the most comprehensive books on the instrument, this richly varied study offers both practical tips and a fascinating overview of the clarinet's role in musical history.
In his encyclopedic coverage of the instrument and the performer, the author provides suggestions about choosing and maintaining a mouthpiece; selection and care of the instrument; technique; tonguing and articulation. In addition, he established guidelines for the teaching of other clarinetists, making one's own reeds, and preparing for public performance, concluding with an intriguing look at the instrument's history and literature from ancient and medieval beginnings to modern times. Helpful appendixes include information on clarinet fingering, music, and sources for accessories.
The Clarinet , Journal of the International Clarinet Society, hailed this volume as "a godsend … far and away the most valuable guide ever printed for the self-taught player; nor will it do less than provide support and encouragement for the competent teacher, performer, and student."
In his encyclopedic coverage of the instrument and the performer, the author provides suggestions about choosing and maintaining a mouthpiece; selection and care of the instrument; technique; tonguing and articulation. In addition, he established guidelines for the teaching of other clarinetists, making one's own reeds, and preparing for public performance, concluding with an intriguing look at the instrument's history and literature from ancient and medieval beginnings to modern times. Helpful appendixes include information on clarinet fingering, music, and sources for accessories.
The Clarinet , Journal of the International Clarinet Society, hailed this volume as "a godsend … far and away the most valuable guide ever printed for the self-taught player; nor will it do less than provide support and encouragement for the competent teacher, performer, and student."
- GenresMusicNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 10, 2015
Excellent coverage of the topic, directed largely at teachers but valuable for any student of the clarinet. The historical chapters about the development of the instrument should interest music students and even the lay reader who has an interest in music and musical instruments.
This book oozes detail when discussing playing techniques, but I give it only four stars because it omits discussion of the instrument's mechanisms and how they should be maintained and repaired. There is a lot of information about medieval precursors of the modern instrument, but a lack of detail on the three variant keying systems still in wide use: Boehm, Oehler, and Albert. This last can perhaps be forgiven somewhat for an American author, since Boehm is nearly universal here, but in Europe the Albert and Oehler systems are still widely used and even applied to newly manufactured instruments.
This book oozes detail when discussing playing techniques, but I give it only four stars because it omits discussion of the instrument's mechanisms and how they should be maintained and repaired. There is a lot of information about medieval precursors of the modern instrument, but a lack of detail on the three variant keying systems still in wide use: Boehm, Oehler, and Albert. This last can perhaps be forgiven somewhat for an American author, since Boehm is nearly universal here, but in Europe the Albert and Oehler systems are still widely used and even applied to newly manufactured instruments.
June 26, 2008
A great resource for clarinet players and a very fun read for those of use who don't reed... or who have once reeded but no longer deal with such difficulties the mouth and tongue. It discusses all of the necessary and some of the extraneous problems, issues and ideas that captivate and frustrate musicians from harmonic series to how to practice to performing. It is a great book.
May 24, 2012
I didn't get that far in this, as I'm still learning the basics. I'm spending my time practicing, and I don't have time to read this, and I had to return it to the library.
I'm sure it's very informative.
I'm sure it's very informative.
July 3, 2011
Very informative and well written!
February 23, 2025
I must have read this in high school, but that feels like many lifetimes ago now. I've just re-read it for the first time in decades, picking up the clarinet again to play in a community band.
Pino has some strong opinions but writes with charm and makes a compelling case. He argues that the clarinetist's priorities should be relaxation and airflow; everything else (tonguing, embouchure, intonation, etc) matters too, but won't do you any good if you are full of tension or you don't have a strong stable air supply. This is a good reminder for any student, including an old fogey like myself.
I only skimmed Pino's detailed notes on reed-making: there's no way I'll have time to make my own reeds nowadays. But most of the rest of the book was quite informative (such as advice on multiple tonguing, good practice habits, or how to teach other clarinetists) or at least interesting (such as the chapters on the clarinet's history). Pino ends by highlighting his favorite works from the clarinet literature, some of which I've never heard and I will enjoy looking them up.
Pino has some strong opinions but writes with charm and makes a compelling case. He argues that the clarinetist's priorities should be relaxation and airflow; everything else (tonguing, embouchure, intonation, etc) matters too, but won't do you any good if you are full of tension or you don't have a strong stable air supply. This is a good reminder for any student, including an old fogey like myself.
I only skimmed Pino's detailed notes on reed-making: there's no way I'll have time to make my own reeds nowadays. But most of the rest of the book was quite informative (such as advice on multiple tonguing, good practice habits, or how to teach other clarinetists) or at least interesting (such as the chapters on the clarinet's history). Pino ends by highlighting his favorite works from the clarinet literature, some of which I've never heard and I will enjoy looking them up.
July 9, 2025
As someone who's music education was lacking in some regards, this book proved an excellent guide to understanding the way my instrument of 10 years works. It is an insightful and fun read that is an essential to understanding the clarinet, whether you are a beginner or already familiar with the instrument.
August 27, 2018
A great book about the clarinet.
February 22, 2015
David Pino goes into great detail with this book. I liked the approach to really cover many different aspects that you cannot find often with instrument instruction books.
But two things weighted this book way down for me:
1) There are absolutely no pictures in it. This is really bad if you want to explain the finer workings of a mechanical complex apparatus
2) I really respect the authors opinion on his subjects but in some places you get the feeling that he has the only real knowledge on the matter and everybody else is a charlatan.
But two things weighted this book way down for me:
1) There are absolutely no pictures in it. This is really bad if you want to explain the finer workings of a mechanical complex apparatus
2) I really respect the authors opinion on his subjects but in some places you get the feeling that he has the only real knowledge on the matter and everybody else is a charlatan.
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September 14, 2009The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing by David Pino (1998)
June 18, 2014
This is an excellent reference book for all clarinet players.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews