The Clarinet Studio Companion

Through the authorship of Joshua Anderson and Ellen Breakfield-Glick and including insight from nineteen contributors, The Clarinet Studio Companion provides a collection of practical and erudite wisdom.  As stated by Chad Burrow in the foreword, "if the contents of this volume are imbibed and used well, it can be the springboard to greater instrumental skill and artistic creativity."

The table of contents appears below:

Chapter 1: A Brief History of the Clarinet

• The Early Clarinet – The Chalumeau
• The First Clarinets
• The Classical Clarinet
• The 19th Century
• 20th Century and Beyond
• Making Connections
• Resources for Further Historical Study
• Life as a Historical Clarinetist by Rodolfo La Banca - Why do We Play on Antique Instruments?; Repertoire

Chapter 2: Instructional Foundations: Warm-Ups & Practice Routines

• Tools for Success
• Elements of a Successful Practice Routine
• Sample Warm Up No. 1: The Weber Concertino - Breath Support and Capacity, Scales & Keywork, Articulation
• Sample Warm-Up No. 2: Brahms Symphony No. 3, Mvt. 2 - Long Tones, Scales, Articulation
• Applying these Routines to Other Repertoire

Chapter 3: Solo Repertoire & Working with Collaborative Pianists

• Approaching New Pieces - Score Study, Preparing Your Part, Developing Understanding, Finding a Reference Recording
• Categories, Approaches, and Example Repertoire - Select Lists of Concerti, Sonatas, Pieces for Clarinet and Piano, Unaccompanied Pieces, Technical Studies and Etudes; Cyrille Rose 32 Etudes: Technical Focus
• Working with a Collaborative Pianist: An Interview with Susan Snyder - Finding a Pianist, Contacting a Pianist, Preparing the Music, Before the First Rehearsal, At the Rehearsal, At the Performance, After the Performance

Chapter 4: Chamber Music

• Choosing Repertoire
• Approaching New Pieces
• Setting Up a Chamber Group
• Rehearsing
• Preparing for a Coaching
• Marketing and Visibility
• Categories and Example Repertoire

Chapter 5: Orchestral Excerpts & Audition Preparation

• Interview with Dan Gilbert - Finding Your Ritual, Advice for Students, Recommended Resources and Final Thoughts
• Interview with Anthony McGill - Early Audition Preparation, Finding Your Process, When should students take auditions?; Goal Setting for a Specific Audition, What sets auditionees apart?; Audition Day Routines, Audition Don’ts!; Suggested Resources for Preparation
• Practicing Excerpts - Organization, Getting Started, Practice Tip, Why this Excerpt?, Objective vs Subjective, Mock Auditions
• Performance Anxiety Techniques and Resources - Recommended Books and Online Resources
• Common Excerpt Lists
• Orchestral Excerpt Guide
• Auxiliary Instrument Auditions

Chapter 6: Contemporary Clarinet Techniques by Andy Hudson

• Glissandi
• Multiphonics
• Double Tonguing
• Circular Breathing
• Continue Your Exploration

Chapter 7: Instrument Care, Maintenance, & Repair

• What Should Every Clarinet Student Have in Their Case?
• Additional Repair Kit Items
• Morrie Backun’s Top Care Tips for Students - Swabs, Oiling the Clarinet, Humidity Control, General Cleaning Tips, Plastic Clarinet Care, Mouthpiece Care and Cleaning, Ligature Care, When Should I see a Repair Specialist?; Overhauls, Can an Instrument Blow Out?
• Repair Specialist Career Thoughts - Honing your Level of Playing as a Repair Specialist, The Path to a Career in Repair, Apprenticeship
• Choosing a Clarinet - Where to Start, Wood or Plastic?, Instrument Trials,
• Thoughts on Selection, Used Clarinets, Instrument Brands and Models
• Mouthpiece and Additional Equipment Selection - Mouthpiece Structure, Mouthpiece Selection, Ligatures
• Reed Selection, Storage and General Care

Chapter 8: Injuries & Healthy Habits

• Overuse Injuries: Common Issues, Preventative Steps, and Treatment by Janice Ying - Common Overuse Injuries, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• The Stress Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (SVPI) – (Soft Palate Air leak) by Julianne Kirk Doyle

Chapter 9: Peer Group Learning

• Performance Practice - Recital and Jury Preparation
• Giving Feedback
• Mock Auditions - Performance and Judging
• Storytime with Children’s Books in Your Studio Class! by Margaret Tung
• Other Suggestions for Studio Class - Instrument Care Session, Chamber Music Session, Playing 1st and 2nd Orchestral Parts, Listening Class
• Conclusions Regarding Group Study
• Professional Etiquette - Communication, Writing a Proper Email, Rehearsal Language

Chapter 10: Building Strong Musicians: Tips for Beginning Clarinet Lessons by Maureen Conway Girard

• My Background
• Beginning Clarinetists: Where to start?; Equipment, Teaching Executive Skills, Teaching Audiation Skills, Sing, sing, sing!, Move, Play Tunes by Ear, Improvise

Chapter 11: Career Paths – Player

• Orchestral Player - Danny Mui - Becoming an Orchestral Player, My Journey, Taking Auditions, Audition Prep Process, Failure is Part of Our Journey, In Closing,  Resources
• Military Band - Lewis Gilmore - Becoming a Military Band Player, My Journey
• Chamber Musician - Julien Hernandez - Becoming a Chamber Musician, My Journey, Getting Started, Programming Tips, General Advice
• Freelancer – Bixby Kennedy - Becoming a Successful Freelancer, The Gig, My Journey, Traveling, Orchestra, Chamber Music, General Advice, Resources for the Freelance Clarinetist

Chapter 12: Career Paths – Teacher

• Private Teacher - Jennifer Magistrelli - Becoming a Private Lessons Teacher, My Journey, Making a Living
• University Professor – Joshua Anderson - Becoming a University Professor, My Journey, Building a Diverse Resume, Applying for Jobs, Conclusion, Resources for Teaching in Higher Education
• Pk-12 Music Educator - Lauren Staniszewski - Becoming a Pk-12 Music Educator, Overview, My Journey, Choosing Your Career, What It Takes, Resources for Becoming a K-12 Music Teacher

Chapter 13: Career Paths – Conductor

• Collegiate Wind Conducting - Courtney Snyder - Becoming a Collegiate Wind Conductor, Getting the Most out of your Undergraduate Degree, Gaining Conducting Experience, Earning the Advanced Degree(s)
• Orchestral Conductor – Mélisse Brunet - Becoming an Orchestral Conductor, Other Tips to Remember

Appendices: Auxiliary Instrument Resources, Glossary of Extended Techniques, Contributor Biographies

Each chapter ends with activity suggestions, discussions, or other additional resources.