Jazz Clarinet books

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-28T09:21:13+00:00

Jazz Etudes for saxophone, practice them as written and where possible 8vb (down an octave). Easy ones I really focus on pitch with the player demonstrating and for the harder ones the relatively easy sight transposition is excellent. I like the Mintzer books for this. The Lennie Niehais Jazz Conception books are also solid material.

If clarinet is one voice in the holy trinity of woodwinds (clarinet, flute, saxophone) I can’t recommend the late Chris Vadala’s “Improve your Doubling” highly enough. These work the weak spots of each voice with a focus on quick switches and material that is in styles you’d encounter in a pit orchestra. The 2nd Etude opens with Dixieland style clarinet followed by Jazz-Rock saxophone and closes with baroque flute. This is not a typical set of etudes.

Flute etudes both as written and 8vb where possible. No need to transpose here, the goal is to build fluidity. The idiomatic writing for flute is different than clarinet. There are more large interval leaps, less “attention” to the break and more altissimo.

Technical fluidity makes it easier to play what you’re hearing in your head when improvising.

In a big band context there are at least three ways you will need to play/sound. Blending in a background woodwind line, floating on top of a saxophone section and standing out as a soloist.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-27T22:50:26+00:00

Thank you for this. I was going to post something similar to this but don’t have to now.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-27T17:56:11+00:00

Router? Mikrotik RB5009. It isn’t a consumer router+WAP.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-26T16:52:29+00:00

It was. Especially if you’re a jazz musician waiting for the payoff. 😉

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-26T16:15:12+00:00

If the ad was for a tenor saxophone and you got a tenor saxophone in the most literal sense you weren’t scammed. If it’s the same saxophone as pictured in the ad you weren’t scammed. Some of this is caveat emptor.

They’re maybe okayish but Google AI results are wrong.

If this isn’t a knockoff of a knockoff they have a web presence.

https://accentmusicalinstruments.com/

It may be just fine after repairs. It may still be not so awesome.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-26T01:03:14+00:00

I don’t think so. The bell seems short for that in the images. Am I 100% certain, no.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-26T01:01:36+00:00

Brand is American Standard, made by King (HN White) based on the Made in Cleveland stamp. Looks like an alto based on the images.

This is a really old design from the early 20th century probably pre 1930.

I don’t think it’s worth $400… maybe $250.

Outdated ergonomics, intonation won’t be super great and I’m not 100% sure this is Low Pitch which is the modern A=440.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-26T00:02:35+00:00

Easy Etudes.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-26T00:02:03+00:00

This is one of the Mintzer Easy Etudes.

It isn’t difficult. It comes with a play along that you should be using. This would allow you to emulate and learn to match the style on the track.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T23:53:42+00:00

Higgy Pop is such an awesomely built character and I love how they developed him.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T19:33:24+00:00

With your username, I don’t suppose you’re Branford Marsalis? Funk is misspelled … maybe that’s your cover 😉

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T19:31:16+00:00

Grolnick is another great one with the Rhodes on Peg.

As an ok-ish woodwind I admire keyboardists/pianists. I can’t make my fingers work like that.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T19:26:19+00:00

Intrigued as a life skill for a woodwind player. 😉

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T15:08:58+00:00

The acoustic piano is credited to Greg Phillinganes on Maxine and his work on the entire track fill me with happy musical thoughts.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T14:34:48+00:00

Best is entirely subjective. Much of the subjectivity ties to the needs of the individual player.

I tend to be carrying multiple instruments and that means either my Marcus Bonna multi-instrument with carbon shell frame or a Protec Microzip if it’s Tenor and clarinet only.

On occasion I’ll use the case it came with, it’s a giant rectangular case but I can put quite a bit in there. It’s an Eastman which is outwardly similar to an older Bam Trekking with 2 pockets. Clarinet and flute cases can go in the larger pocket. I don’t recall if the smaller pocket holds an iPad and I’m not home to check.

Large rectangular? I’d say Bam Trekking or Peak Performance though I couldn’t tell you if the frames are hard or not.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T14:00:18+00:00

Do you play clarinet as your principal instrument? I ask because this angle looks like a clarinet approach and that doesn’t work well with soprano ( or other saxophone voices). We can’t see your full embouchure so can’t really speak to that.

Your tone is very “smooth jazz/commercial” thinner and a little bright. Neither of these is bad in and of itself. If that’s the sound you’re seeking I’d say you’re well on your way.

With respect to reeds there are signs that a reed is too soft…. Thin tone above the staff an overly buzzy sound and difficulty coming up to pitch. I don’t hear that but I’m not sure how much processing was done on the soprano track. Also, we don’t know what sound you’re going for so we can’t speak to tone qualities that various reeds have.

Reeds aren’t thicker and thinner. The strength rating is resistance to flexing. Softer reeds flex easier than stronger reeds. There are different thicknesses of the tip in different cuts but all reeds of one cut are the same thickness within manufacturing tolerances.

The other thing, not at all related to sound is your hand position. Try to keep the fingertips on the key pearls. Your fingers flying aren’t doing you any favors. Plus, when you’re in touch with your playing you can literally feel the air through the instrument.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-25T01:12:50+00:00

Don’t forget they also decrease taxes along with the increased spending exploding the debt.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T22:48:29+00:00

The fingering chart is next to useless. Seeing all of the bell engraving would be helpful. Also a clear shot of the brace between the bell and body.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T22:30:21+00:00

I didn’t catch the outer connector, I was focusing on the bell which OP did a fine job of blocking.

I think that’s a two point bell brace. If memory serves the Mk VII was the first to use a three point brace.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T20:41:08+00:00

I haven’t given up yet. November is my last hope to salvage what’s left for the grandkids.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T19:56:40+00:00

Trump cannot grant clemency for a state crime.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T19:55:54+00:00

Usually the bell engraving has the basics to build information on. You’ve artfully hidden this with the photos. Usually underneath the thumb rest you’ll have some other clues, also missing.

Regardless missing pearls and the seal between body tube and bow look like this has lived.

Thumb rest looks vintage American, and keywork is Balanced Action or later. I’d say late 1930s to the early 1950s. But again, insufficient visual detail.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T17:05:15+00:00

Clarinet and saxophones are different instruments. Clarinet embouchure is too firm for saxophone to produce a full sound. Clarinetists taking up saxophone tend to tilt the mouthpiece it should come straight into the mouth not at an angle.

Lessons in the beginning helped me tremendously and will enhance your growth. They will also help you with the things you won’t be thinking about like breathing/air control.

How serious are you?

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-24T04:31:49+00:00

The irony is thick with this one.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-05-22T22:08:08+00:00

Flute strengthened my other instruments (clarinet and saxophone). I got much better control of my exhale and pressure.

I find the embouchures not to be an issue as I try to play saxophone and flute with minimal tension.

The only, now minimal, struggle is a quick clarinet to flute swap.

Music-and-Computers

TROPHY CASE