Improvement of Clarinet Technique and Articulation with Etudes Nos. 2, 12, and 19 from Paul Jeanjean’s Vingt Etudes Progressives et Mélodiques Pour la Clarinette

Abstract

In this study, etudes nos. 2, 12 and 19 selected from Paul Jeanjean’s etude book Vingt Etudes Progressives et Mélodiques Pour la Clarinette are examined in regards to their contribution to clarinet performance. It is observed that these etudes, which are commonly used in clarinet performance education, make many contributions to the musical and technical progress of clarinet students including, but not limited to, development of tonguing techniques in musical articulation, gradual acceleration of rhythmical movements of fingers on the keys, use of breathing techniques according to the musical phrase, learning of musical articulation forms such as staccato, legato, and accenting, and correct timing of performance of different note values within the measure. This study examines contributions of Paul Jeanjean’s selected etudes to clarinet performance education within the framework of the musical elements mentioned above.

Keywords: Clarinet, Clarinet performance education, Etude.