Crossing The Break - Embrace The Challenge of Teaching Clarinet artwork

Crossing The Break - Embrace The Challenge of Teaching Clarinet

47 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 7 years ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratings

The Crossing The Break Podcast discusses the nuts and bolts of teaching clarinet at the beginning and intermediate levels. We will cover aspects of playing clarinet including tone, embouchure, hand position, tonguing, technique, range, fingerings, tuning and other clarinet-specific items. These ideas can be applied to beginning clarinet class, beginning band, intermediate or advanced clarinetists, and in an individual or group setting.

The host of this podcast is Tamarie Sayger. A 1999 music education graduate of WTAMU, Mrs. Sayger held band director positions in Plano and Odessa, TX for 5 years. As a private clarinet instructor in Texas for 16 years, she has taught hundreds of students from grade 6-12 in classes, sectionals, and individual lessons. She has presented at district in-services and co-presented at the Texas Bandmasters Association convention. Her website, CrossingTheBreak.com, provides resources for clarinet teachers around the country. Tamarie Sayger is also a core contributor for BandDirectorsTalkShop.com, primarily on the subjects of clarinet and private lessons. Her podcast, Crossing The Break, can be found on iTunes.

Keywords:
Teaching clarinet, clarinet, band director, band, music education, music ed, music, teaching music, music teacher, playing clarinet, clarinet pedagogy, band pedagogy, music pedagogy

Music Education How To band banddirector bandpedagogy clarinet clarinetpedagogy music musiced musiceducation musicpedagogy musicteacher
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Episodes

46 Finishing This Year & Preparing for Next Year

April 30, 2017 05:30 - 12 minutes - 5.78 MB

This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet - beginning band games: Staying Positive Reasonable Expectations Reading Books & Hanging out with Experienced Directors Evaluation/Feedback Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

45 Rhythm Tips for Maturing Beginners

April 23, 2017 05:30 - 19 minutes - 8.86 MB

This is part of the series “Finishing the Year Strong in Beginning Clarinet Class.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Rhythmic priorities Rhythm activities Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

44 Teaching Band Through Games

April 16, 2017 05:30 - 24 minutes - 11.2 MB

This is part of the series “Finishing the Year Strong in Beginning Clarinet Class.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Why I start games later in the year Favorite Clarinet Song in May Band Jeopardy Connect 4  Drop Out (how to introduce & increase intensity later) Beat the Band Director Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

43 Differentiation in Beginning Band

April 09, 2017 05:30 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MB

This is part of the series “Finishing the Year Strong in Beginning Clarinet Class.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: O O Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

42 Multi-octave Scales & Chromatic

April 02, 2017 05:30 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MB

This is part of the series “Finishing the Year Strong in Beginning Clarinet Class.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Full Range Chromatic Saying Fingerings in Rhythm Possible Order of 1 Octave Scales Possible Order of 2 Octave Scales Arpeggios Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed    

41 Spring Warm-up for Beginning Clarinets

March 26, 2017 05:30 - 19 minutes - 8.74 MB

This is part of the series “Finishing Strong in Beginning Clarinet Class.”  This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Exercises students should be playing daily at this point  How and why to teach them PDF of the spring beginning band warm-up Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

40 Band Directors' Workshop at WTAMU

March 19, 2017 05:30 - 11 minutes - 5.17 MB

This episode discusses Band Directors' Workshop at West Texas A&M University. Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com (link to the article with newsletter updates signup. Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

39 Clarinet Method Books

January 22, 2017 06:30 - 17 minutes - 8.21 MB

This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Clarinet Method books for beginner/intermediate players Clarinet Etude books Bass Clarinet Method Books Updated publishing schedule for next podcast series Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com

38 Challenging Your Bass Clarinets

January 15, 2017 06:30 - 15 minutes - 7.08 MB

 This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Guidelines for bass clarinets Suggestions for challenging your bass clarinetists Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

37 Switching the Right Kids to Bass Clarinet

January 08, 2017 06:30 - 11 minutes - 5.12 MB

This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: 2 requirements for a switch 2 preferred features for a switch Other considerations when choosing recruiting the right kids Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

36 Ideas for the New Year

January 01, 2017 06:30 - 12 minutes - 5.66 MB

  This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Getting organized for 2017 Fun game for January Finding a mentor Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

35 Evaluation and 2016 Overview

December 25, 2016 06:30 - 11 minutes - 5.36 MB

This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Mid-year Evaluation Resources on CrossingTheBreak.com Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

34 What Would You Do In My Situation

December 18, 2016 06:30 - 21 minutes - 9.61 MB

  This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Having flutes, clarinet and saxes together Having 90 minute classes every other day Centers for assessment purposes Ways to get time with individual sections Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

33 Making Your Class Contagious

December 11, 2016 06:30 - 23 minutes - 10.9 MB

This episode is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet – Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: How to make Demonstration Day "Contagious" Performance Day and making it "Contagious" Drop Out Contest and making it "Contagious" Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

32 Crossing the Break

December 04, 2016 06:30 - 19 minutes - 9.15 MB

This episode is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet – Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: What to say/not to say about crossing the break 4 Objectives that must be met before teaching crossing the break How to introduce A-B for the first time Tips for intermediate players for even smoother crossing the brea Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching cla...

31 Starting Scales (beginning clarinet)

November 27, 2016 06:30 - 15 minutes - 7.23 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Band - Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Tetrachords Benefits/Drawbacks Specific benefit of each scale (first octave) Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: clarinet, music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

30 Analyzing a New Line

November 20, 2016 06:30 - 19 minutes - 8.8 MB

    This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Band - Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Analyzing New Lines Clarinet "tricky spots" 4 Steps to a New Line Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

29 The Chromatic Scale

November 13, 2016 06:30 - 22 minutes - 10.2 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Band - Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Why I love the chromatic Make it a milestone How to start the chromatic (baby steps) Teaching goals of the chromatic Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

28 First Written Warm-up

November 06, 2016 05:30 - 17 minutes - 8 MB

  This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Band - Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Using Line 1 - tonguing & pitch Waterfall variations Descending scale Beginning register studies How to start register studies Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

27 Accountability in Beginning Band

October 30, 2016 05:30 - 17 minutes - 8.21 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Band - Mastering the Middle of the Year.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: How to hold band students accountable Start from week 1 Play-offs/Pass-offs How to build momentum Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

26 Practice Tools/Preparing for Auditions - Intermediate Clarinets

October 23, 2016 05:30 - 22 minutes - 22 MB

This is part of the series “6 Weeks to a Better Clarinet Section.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Practice tools Helping students learn how to perform Building intensity before auditions Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

25 Warm-ups & Alternate Fingerings - Intermediate Clarinets

October 15, 2016 18:50 - 19 minutes - 18.8 MB

This is part of the series “6 Weeks to a Better Clarinet Section.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Intermediate warm-up Specifics for each exercise 3 primary alternate fingerings for 2nd-year players Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

24 Scales (Chromatic & Fingering Patterns) - Intermediate Clarinets

October 09, 2016 04:30 - 22 minutes - 21.5 MB

This is part of the series “6 Weeks to a Better Clarinet Section.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Chromatic scale - basic fingerings to check Stories to use about alternate fingerings 2 octave scales Finger reminders for each key Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

23 Increasing Range - Intermediate Clarinets

October 02, 2016 04:30 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

This is part of the series “6 Weeks to a Better Clarinet Section.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Stretching from C in staff to high C Reading notes confidently Register Studies Reeds Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

22 Tonguing - Intermediate Clarinets

September 25, 2016 04:30 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MB

  This is part of the series “6 Weeks to a Better Clarinet Section.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Tuner Visual Exercise  Baby Registers Progression with Tonguing Scale exercise for style Thirds exercise for multiple objectives Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

21 Tone (& Tuning) with Intermediate Clarinets

September 18, 2016 04:30 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

This episode is part of the series “6 Weeks to a Better Clarinet Section” which focuses on 2nd year intermediate clarinet players. This episode includes information on the following aspects of teaching intermediate clarinet: Review of embouchure, tongue position, anchoring, pitch Air - Blowing up a balloon (resistance) Abs of Steel Baby Register Studies & 1st progression Throat tones - tendencies and solutions

20 Q&A First Months of Beginning Clarinet

September 11, 2016 04:30 - 18 minutes - 17.8 MB

  This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Organization/Preparation of supplies Productive use of time ideas Chants/Counting Milkshake face (clarinet embouchure) Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

19 Parent Demonstration

September 08, 2016 04:30 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MB

  This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Invitations Preparing Announcements Things to talk about Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

18 A Key & Earning the Bell

September 04, 2016 04:30 - 18 minutes - 17.9 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Prepare with "The Trick" Introduction to rolling Words to use Earning the Bell Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

17 Starting in the Book

September 01, 2016 04:30 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MB

 This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Make it a goal & privilege  Things to say often Build trust Physical vs. Cognitive Ways to use the book (all year) Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed  

16 Pause and Evaluate

August 28, 2016 04:30 - 18 minutes - 15.9 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Evaluating how the students are doing so far Evaluating class routine Evaluating specific clarinet concepts  Teaching students to evaluate themselves properly at home Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

15 Playing Bb, A, G

August 25, 2016 04:30 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Review things to check Adding Bb & A Adding G Progressing right hand finger drills Left hand finger drills Early ear training Conversation to update readers on the podcast Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

14 Adding the Bottom Joint

August 21, 2016 04:30 - 17 minutes - 15.2 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Logistics of earning the bottom joint Bridge key and correct assembly Right hand position Things to watch for Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

13 Tonguing (Days 2-5)

August 18, 2016 04:30 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Tonguing on clarinet on days 2-5 Speed, lightness, release Down the row Other things to say Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

12 Tonguing (Day 1)

August 14, 2016 04:30 - 13 minutes - 11.6 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Face your fears Why we wait so long to start tonguing on clarinet Teaching clarinet tonguing on day 1 - a system and words to use Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

11 Earning the Bottom Joint

August 11, 2016 04:30 - 15 minutes - 13.3 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Reasons to stay on the upper joint GFEDC (Waterfall) How to earn the bottom joint Making it a big deal Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

10 First Note Reading & Note Name Games

August 07, 2016 04:30 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: When/how to start reading music Playing supplemental pages Notename games Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

09 Playing GFEDC

August 04, 2016 04:30 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Music stand logistics Playing G F - thumb Adding E and then D,C Earning the lower joint Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

08 Hand Position & Mouthpiece Only

July 31, 2016 04:30 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Starting Hand position (left hand only) The thumb, fingers 12&3, the pinky Finger drills Mouthpiece only  Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

07 Keep it Fun & Open G

July 27, 2016 04:30 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Change of pace during class Variety of playing activities Playing open G Email to parents about sending instruments home Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

06 Up to Pitch (Part 2)

July 23, 2016 04:30 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Helping clarinet students get up to pitch on mouthpiece & barrel External embouchure problems and how to fix them Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

05 Up to Pitch (Part 1)

July 19, 2016 04:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Internal symptoms that can cause students to be flat on mouthpiece and barrel Words to say and things to try to help them fix it Show notes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com   Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

04 The First Sound

July 12, 2016 04:39 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MB

This episode of the Crossing The Break podcast covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: How to be sure students are ready to make the first sound 4 steps for correct clarinet embouchure Words to say to the group Ways to help individuals Specifics on students getting no sound or only squeaks Shownotes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

03 Putting on the Reed

July 12, 2016 04:38 - 14 minutes - 13 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Mouthpiece and barrel Ligature Putting on the reed 4 Things to check for reed placement Shownotes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

02 Before Opening the Case

July 12, 2016 04:38 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB

This is part of the series “Teaching Beginning Clarinet - Developing Good Habits from Day 1.” This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Organization/Preparation of supplies Productive use of time ideas Chants/Counting Milkshake face (clarinet embouchure) Shownotes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

01 Before School Starts

July 12, 2016 04:36 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

This episode covers the following aspects of teaching clarinet: Supplies to order (some are unusual) Stand tags (how to make them and the purpose of them) Thinking through the logistics as you set up your classroom Philosophy of beginning band Demonstrating for students Shownotes can be found at CrossingTheBreak.com Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, music ed

00 Introductory Episode

July 12, 2016 04:35 - 10 minutes - 9.32 MB

In this introductory episode, Tamarie Sayger gives a little history about herself and how the Crossing The Break podcast came to be. You will also learn what to expect over the first few months of this new podcast.  Keywords: Music education, band director, teaching clarinet, teaching music, Tamarie Sayger