Step 1: Begin in a standing position in front of your chair. Your shoulders should be square (facing directly forward), feet shoulder width apart, and standing tall. Your head should be held high, but keep your chin parallel to the floor so it is not sticking out or tucked in.

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Step 2: Hold your clarinet with both hands and be careful to keep the reed from getting damaged. Your right thumb will be placed under the thumb holder and your left hand gently on the upper joint.

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Step 3:

a) Sit on the chair.

b) As you lower yourself into the chair keep your upper body in the same position you were in while standing.

c) Most of your body's weight should be on your sitz bones/your bottom.

d) Keep your feet flat on the floor. If needed, sit closer to the front edge of the chair.

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Step 4: Now that you are situated in the chair it is time to hold the clarinet properly.

a) Your right thumb is already in the correct hand position under the thumb rest.

b) Place the mouthpiece into your mouth. Review the embouchure instructions, if needed.

c) Place your left hand over the key holes on the upper joint, but hover above the keys and do not cover the holes.

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Step 5: Take a breath and blow into the mouthpiece like you did with just the mouthpiece and barrel. Sustain the sound as long as you can. You're playing the clarinet now!

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If you leave all of your fingers off of the keys on the clarinet and blow through the mouthpiece you should get a G. Press play on the MP3 to the right to hear an example of a G on the clarinet.

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It's time to learn some doodle-doos and make some fun sounds! Click on the 'Doodlee-doos' tab at the top of this page. The Doodlee-doos page will provide exercises to play with the clarinet fully assembled. Have fun!!