ABSTRACT
Assembly of the clarinet and saxophone small pieces is more complicated and time-consuming than that for the other woodwind instruments. In the clarinet embouchure, the lips and cheeks stay close to the teeth. Probably the best indicator of whether a student is suited for clarinet study is his ability to get in the right ballpark concerning the small piece pitch and tone. In the first weeks of clarinet study, knowledge of the instrument care issues by teacher and students is sufficient. Vibrato is not viewed as a standard technique for classical clarinet in the United States, though it is used judiciously by some players. Clarinet vibrato finds greater acceptance outside the United States. Vibrato is used in jazz clarinet playing. Johann Denner invented the clarinet in 1690. The clarinet's predecessor was an instrument called chalumeau, which played only in chalumeau register. Cross-fingering is woodwind terminology that refers to use of left and right pinky fingers in alternation on successive notes.
