Haskell

Clarinet Studio Warm Up and

Practice Handbook

















Diana Haskell
Associate Principal Clarinet
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra



singlewinder@yahoo.com
414-232-2374

Haskell Page 1 of 35


This handbook presents various guides to aid in development of playing the clarinet.
Explanations and assignments will be given at lessons.

CONTENTS

Characteristics of Great Students————————————— 3

Box Breath For Calming ————————————————— 4

Body Warm Ups ———————————————————— 5

PRACTICE INTELLIGENTLY ———————————————— 6

Practice Time In Percentages with Goals Template————— 7

Long Tones (Dynamic Tones)———————————————8

Short Tones (Dynamic Flexibility)—————————————9

David Weber’s Long Tone Routine ————————————10

Scale Practice Patterns w/A Major—— ——————————15

Major and Minor Scales (Baermann)——————————— 19

Broken Chords—————————————————————20

Major and Minor Thirds—————————————————23

Legato (Slow Finger Technique) Exercise —————————27

Third Octave Scales by Dr. Joshua Gardner,
Professor of Clarinet at Arizona State University —— 28

Fingering Chart (including altissimo range)
By Dr. Joshua Gardner—————————————— 32








Haskell Page 2 of 35


Haskell Page 3 of 35


Haskell Page 4 of 35

Body Warm Ups

Warm up only after finger/arm/neck muscles are at room temperature. Avoid yanking on wrists,
fingers or arms or stretching when cold. If you have pain, stop and see a doctor.
NEVER play through pain!

• To warm up quickly, run in place for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, do jumping jacks. Oddly,
doing either may help with energy on a day when desire to practice is waning.

• Arm lifts: in a standing position, lift and hold arms overhead for 10 seconds, then bring
arms down to side. Repeat for 2 minutes.This action utilizes opposing muscles to those we
use when seated. Repeat this every 30 minutes of practice time as well during your break.

• Arm circles: 5 to 10 circles, not circling too far behind the back. Gentle motions only. Avoid
jerking the arms or swinging wildly.

• Neck turns (only with physician’s permission):
a. Gently turn head to the left, then to the right to point of slight resistance. Do not yank on
the neck with
hands or force the neck further than gentle resistance. Keep ears centered over shoulders,
rather than allowing head to drop forward or back. Repeat 5-10 times. Check that the jaw is
not clenched, nor that shoulders are pushed down.
b. Gently tuck chin towards chest with eyes downward. You will feel a gentle stretch on the
back of the neck. Gently lift eyes to the ceiling with the chin following. Only go to point of
slight resistance. Repeat 3-5 times.

• Finger breaths:
Open mouth about one inch (a little more than one finger, but not stretched open too far. If
you have any jaw pain, skip this breathing exercise altogether). Place the middle of your
upper lip/teeth on the middle knuckle of index finger and place the lower lip on the largest
knuckle (metacarpophalangeal joint) in the middle of your lips. Inhale quickly without force
or tension.There should be a low, rushing wind sound that is created by suction around your
finger. For a more detailed explanation, read and watch here:
https://www.hornmatters.com/2013/07/interview-and-video-epstein-on-finger-breathing/

• Alternatively, or if you have jaw issues, use the Rectangular Breath on the previous page to
warm up the body’s breathing mechanism.





Haskell Page 5 of 35


PRACTICE INTELLIGENTLY

Ideas and Inspiration

Create a positive bond with your clarinet, not an adversarial relationship.
Focus on one goal at a time.
Ask: am I really focused or half-hearted? In other words, is my focus singular or divided?
Keep a training notebook. Where do you want to be in one month? Six months?
Use ‘My Goals template’ on next page to write out a practice plan. Keep it simple.
Not having a plan is a waste of time.
When possible, practice in a room designated for practice in order to eliminate distractions.
Turn off all electronic devices. I prefer old-fashioned metronomes and tuners so I can turn off
my phone.
Before beginning a practice session, say out loud “I am practicing right now”. This will help
your focus.

Looking at the music and focusing on the music are not the same thing.
If focus is increased, results will be quicker. If zoning out, change something. Stay engaged.
Olympics-level brain power and super-hero hearing make us better clarinetists and musicians.
The smallest shifts in practicing can have the biggest impact.

Stay flexible and curious.
Big challenges = big growth opportunities!
Think about how to solve an issue by breaking it down into small pieces.
Celebrate what you have accomplished.








Haskell Page 6 of 35
 Practice Time in Percentages

Ø Tone/Color – 20% of daily practice time - Long tones/short tones, straight tones, slow scales, intonation, tone coloring
Ø Technique – 20% of practice time -Scales, arpeggios, thirds, trill practice, tonguing exercises
Ø Études – 20% of practice time
Ø Solos/excerpts – 30% of practice time
Ø Practice performances/review – 5% of practice time
Ø Sight-reading – 5% of practice time

IMPORTANT: take 5-minute recovery breaks @ 30-45 minutes.

Practice Time Template – to be checked weekly at lessons by me
Time I had available today: ________ hours/minutes

Ø _______% on exercises and tone production
List materials practiced:

Ø _______% on etudes
List materials practiced:

Ø _______% on scales
List materials practiced:

Ø _______% on solos
List materials practiced:

Extra time (sight-reading, listening, IMSLP or L.A. Institute for free music, go back and practice something else)

My Practice Objectives
Goals today: options—tone, pitch, notes, rhythms, tempo, articulation, phrasing, expression, ensemble, endurance,
(other). What went well? What do I need to improve? Did I take a break every 30-45 minutes?















Haskell Page 7 of 35


Haskell Page 8 of 35


Haskell Page 9 of 35

DAVID WEBER’S LONG TONE ROUTINE

Haskell Page 10 of 35

DAVID WEBER’S LONG TONE ROUTINE cont’d.

Haskell Page 11 of 35


Haskell Page 12 of 35

Scale Patterns Using C Major, cont’d

Haskell Page 13 of 35

Scale Patterns Using C Major, cont’d

Haskell Page 14 of 35


Haskell Page 15 of 35
 Haskell Page 16 of 35

Haskell Page 17 of 35

Haskell Page 18 of 35
 Haskell Page 19 of 35


Haskell Page 20 of 35

Haskell Page 21 of 35

Haskell Page 22 of 35


Haskell Page 23 of 35

Haskell Page 24 of 35

Haskell Page 25 of 35

Haskell Page 26 of 35
 Legato Fingers Exercise
Lift, then place each finger down slowly. Avoid popping or tightening fingers and palms. Work in front of mirror.
Metronome: 16th = 50-60

Haskell Page 27 of 35
 Third Octave Scales
From Arizona State University Professor Dr. Joshua Gardner (reprinted with permission)
For the wonderful and entire Clarinet Fundamentals packet, click here:
Clarinet Fundamentals by Dr. Joshua Gardner

Haskell Page 28 of 35


Haskell Page 29 of 35


Haskell Page 30 of 35


Haskell Page 31 of 35
 Third Octave Scale Fingering Chart
From Arizona State University Clarinet Professor Dr. Joshua Gardner (reprinted with permission)
For the wonderful and entire Clarinet Fundamentals packet, click here:
Clarinet Fundamentals by Dr. Joshua Gardner

Haskell Page 32 of 35


Haskell Page 33 of 35


Haskell Page 34 of 35


Haskell Page 35 of 35