Learning the clarinet, like any new skill, can be difficult and confusing at first. Beginning to play the woodwind instrument can be even more complicated if you’re not having one-to-one lessons from a teacher. But that does not mean that learning how to play on your own is impossible. In fact, by utilizing many great resources, starting to play the clarinet can be easier than you think it might be.
When it comes to music education, books are still the best way to learn. And luckily, there are many excellent clarinet books available to provide you with the information you will need to properly learn how to play the clarinet.
Through these books, you will find information ranging from how to hold the clarinet to exercises that you can do to practice playing on your own. In this post, we’re going to look at what we think are the best clarinet books for beginners and give you our reviews of which ones are the best for those just starting out on the clarinet. Let’s get started.
If you’re a visual learner and prefer to learn by video, check out this amazing classical clarinet course by Ricardo Morales.
Quick Answer: The Best Beginner Books for Clarinet
The Best Beginner Clarinet Books
Whether you’re starting the clarinet as an adult or looking to help your child, there are loads of great books to fit your needs. Below are some of the highest-rated clarinet books in the music education industry.
1. Essential Elements For Clarinet in Bb
- Each Book Includes My EE Library
- Start-up Video learn the basics
- Play-along mp3 features a professional player on your instrument
In the top spot, we have the Essential Elements for Band Method book which is the first in a 2 part series for beginner clarinet players and a must-have for all young students. created by Hal Leonard Corp, can be used by students and teachers alike. Each of the songs and exercises is standard among most instrument players, providing a familiar feeling starting point.
In the Essential Elements, new clarinet players will get a step-by-step guide on holding their clarinet and exploring all of the instrument’s unique components. This book will give even the timidest of beginners the confidence needed to navigate their way around the clarinet.
As well as how-tos, the repertoire and educational approach in the song collection of this book will help beginning players learn coordination, tone quality, breathing patterns, and more as they play extended continuous passages while performing at a comfortable technical level.
A great option that’s hugely popular with both young and old players and an easy recommendation for is to make. Check it out below.
2. Accent on Achievement, B flat Clarinet Book 1
- Accent on Achievement Book 1 B-Flat Clarinet Book & CD
- Accent on Achievement is a revolutionary, best-selling band method that will excite and stimulate your students through full-color pages and the most...
- The comprehensive review cycle in books 1 & 2 will ensure that students remember what they learn and progress quickly
In at number 2 is Accent on Achievement, written by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams, which was initially released in 1997. However, the information within the book remains very valuable for aspiring clarinet players today.
Clarinet students of almost all ages can use Accent on Achievement. The book will teach students how to quickly learn the clarinet while teaching the basics of music theory at the same time. Students who utilize this book will learn scale and rhythm exercises and up to 11 band arrangements to play.
The clarinet book in the Accent on Achievement series meets the American national standard for music education among elementary-aged students. Still, teenagers and adults will also be able to benefit significantly from the knowledge.
The exercises within the book are easy to follow along. Once you have gotten the hang of the practices, you will have all of the tools needed to play one of the 11 songs provided in the book.
3. Rubank Elementary Method Clarinet
- cf-type-band-instrument-method-book, cf-vendor-rubank, reverbsync-shipping-profile:Standard Ground Less than 39.99, Tag_Clarinet
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 07/01/1992 (Publication Date) - Rubank Publications (Publisher)
Next, we have the Rubank Elementary Method Clarinet book, written by N.W. Hovey has been around since the early 1990s. Since then, the book has helped many aspiring clarinet players become comfortable and experienced with the instrument.
The Rubank Elementary Method features a simple and straightforward approach to teaching new students how to play the clarinet. The book uses standard scales, exercises, and easy-to-digest information on how to blow into the instrument and hold it.
Rubank Elementary also covers topics including studies about the instrument, studies about musicianship, and technical studies. Despite the simple approach the book has to teach beginner clarinet players, there is an endless source of information about the instrument and music in general.
The intended audience for those who are using the Rubank Elementary guide is those who are at an elementary age. However, the book’s information is valuable for anyone who has not yet learned how to play the clarinet.
4. The Ultimate Clarinet Book For Beginners
- Gray, Maggie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages - 08/07/2017 (Publication Date) - Take Note Music (Publisher)
The Ultimate Clarinet Book for Beginners, written by Maggie Gray, is one of the most modern clarinet books on the list. This book is an excellent option if you are someone who likes to stay up-to-date on music-related information.
In The Ultimate Clarinet Book, you will learn the basics of how the clarinet functions as an instrument. Understanding how the instrument works on its own is a great way to become more comfortable learning how to play.
While the book focuses mainly on playing the clarinet, the author provides a lot of valuable information about how music works in general. Understanding how to play the clarinet is almost impossible unless you have sufficient background knowledge of music.
Unlike the previous entry on the list, The Ultimate Clarinet Book delivers information in a friendly and engaging manner that can hold your attention. Apart from a basic run-down on playing the clarinet, the book also features a daily practice plan and practice checklist to keep you practicing every day.
5. Clarinet For Dummies
- Etheridge, David (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages - 08/31/2010 (Publication Date) - Wiley Publishing (Publisher)
If you have ever studied a specific subject, you have likely come across one of the For Dummies series’s many books. Clarinet For Dummies is written by David Etheridge and published in 2010. The book provides a simple and informative guide on each topic regarding how to play the clarinet.
With Clarinet For Dummies, you will learn how to play the clarinet and how to effectively incorporate other genres into your music. The various styles of music you will learn are jazz, pop, and classical. Clarinet For Dummies is a good option if you have difficulty understanding how to read music. A book is also a great option if you struggle with the proper hand placement when holding the clarinet.
The book will explain the process of tuning your clarinet, staying on pitch, holding the instrument safely and correctly, and much more. Clarinet For Dummies is easy to read for players of all ages.
6. Tradition of Excellence Book 1 for Bb Clarinet
- Three unique starting systems
- Differentiated instruction and learning allowing you to customize your teaching
- Pedagogically sound two-page lessons
Tradition of Excellence, written by Bruce Pearson, teaches all music students about musical excellence, no matter their instrument. Although the book is small, there is a variety of useful information for learning to play the clarinet. The book is easy to understand, as well as staying relevant to today’s music education system.
Whether you are a student or have just taken an interest in the instrument, you will be able to digest all of the information provided in the book. Besides background information regarding the clarinet, the Tradition of Excellence also provides a primary music staff designed for the clarinet. As you learn to play the clarinet, you will quickly find that using a standard piano staff does not translate well.
The Tradition of Excellence also comes with an interactive practice studio that allows you to learn visually and from the book. You can brush up your skills every day by utilizing the interactive features.
7. Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book for Clarinet
- Standard Of Excellence Book 1 Enhanced Clarinet
- The Standard of Excellence ENHANCED Comprehensive Band Method Books 1 & 2 combines a strong performance-centered approach with music theory, music...
- Each book comes with two CDs containing all the full band accompaniments and the revolutionary iPAS Practice and Assessment Software
The Standard of Excellence series follows a similar format as the Tradition of Excellence series that we covered earlier. The enhanced version of the clarinet book focuses heavily on preparing for performances and covering heavier subjects such as music theory and history.
However, try not to be overwhelmed with the amount of information in the book. Even if you are a beginner with no knowledge of music whatsoever, you can still benefit significantly from the resources provided in this book.
In the enhanced version, you will gain access to many great resources such as an interactive practice studio, a recording studio, flashcards, and much more. These resources allow students to have fun learning and retain information.
The Standard of Excellence also provides a look at music studies and explains the process of training your ear for music. Again, having a general idea of basic music theory is essential when learning how to play any instrument.
While the information may seem like a lot, the interactive options that come with the book make the learning process fun for people of all ages.
8. Measures of Success for Bb Clarinet
- English (Publication Language)
- 999 Pages - 01/01/2023 (Publication Date) - Alfred Music (Publisher)
Measures of Success is another modern instructional book on learning the clarinet, written by Deb Sheldon, Brain Balmages, Tim Loest, and Robert Sheldon. With Measures of Success, you will have access to great insight regarding not just the clarinet but music in general. The book explores musical concepts and the relationship people have with music as an art form.
The book can also be a way to track the progress you are making when learning the clarinet. Within this book, you will find instructional guides on how to train your ear, as well as performance etiquette.
Measures of Success will also teach you rhythm and conducting exercises. Unlike many other instructional books, Measures of Success sets a goal with every chapter featured in the book. Meeting these goals can help build your confidence and understand the learning process a lot easier.
Besides basic information, Measures of Success also provides personal assessments and plenty of sheet music for performance pieces. Along with the book, you will receive a CD that you can play along to. Students need to know what the instrument they are learning sounds like, especially when they lack a teacher.
9. The Beginning Band Fun Book (Clarinet): for Elementary Students
- Newman, Mr. Larry E. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 56 Pages - 12/15/2011 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
When it comes to the musical field, most instrument players began their music education in elementary school. Whether your child wants to learn how to play the clarinet or you want to learn with your child, The Beginning Band Fun Book is a great place to start.
Written by Mr. Larry E. Newman, this book is a fun and educational way for children to learn the clarinet quickly and efficiently. It is not only easy information for kids to process, but how the book delivers the data is also great for children.
The text, design, and images featured in the book are large and colorful, mimicking a standard picture book. Within the book are entertaining illustrations to highlight important data in a way that your child will remember.
Aside from basic scale and rhythm facts, the book features familiar children’s tunes as a way for your child to start practicing. These tunes are easy to learn and easy to master. While the clarinet book focuses on children, there is still value in the book if you are an adult.
10. 101 Hit Songs: for Clarinet
- for Clarinet Series: Instrumental Folio Format: Softcover Clarinet Artist: Various Inventory #HL 00197182 ISBN: 9781495075292 UPC: 888680645434 Width:...
- This massive collection will keep instrumentalists busy with 101 pop hits to learn and play! Songs include: All About That Bass All of Me Brave...
- This massive collection will keep instrumentalists busy with 101 pop hits to learn and play! Songs include: All About That Bass All of Me Brave...
And to finish, one of the best ways to learn how to play music is to take a hands-on approach. While there is still a bit of reading that you will need to do for this book, you will spend a lot of time practicing and mastering over 100 well-known songs on the clarinet.
101 Hit Songs, written by Hal Leonard Corp, provides a wide range of popular songs that you can learn to play. The publishing year for the book is 2017, meaning that each song is fairly modern. The songs range from standard pop songs to 90s grunge music.
While there are many instructions to follow, this book is less about learning the basics of the clarinet and more about putting your knowledge into play. With over 100 songs to learn, you will have plenty of practice material to sift to. And because the songs are fairly modern hits, you won’t get bored with learning outdated music.
On the inside of the book is filled instructional sheet music, and the book’s back cover informs the reader of each song the book teaches you to play in alphabetical order.
Conclusion: Which Clarinet Book Should you get?
There you have it! We hope that helps inspire you on which clarinet books to go for. Each book in the list above covers the important information that you will need when learning how to play the clarinet.
Whether you prefer straightforward reading material or if you need some additional listening material, there will be at least one option that will work for you.
If you’re still unsure of which one to go for, we’d recommend trying the Essential Elements one. It’s been out for a while now and in that time has built up quite the following of students and teachers who use it.
That being said, all the books in the list above are very inexpensive so you could buy a couple and try them out to see which one you respond best to. Either way, good luck with your clarinet playing!
- Each Book Includes My EE Library
- Start-up Video learn the basics
- Play-along mp3 features a professional player on your instrument
