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Michèle Gingras
 Professor of Clarinet,
Miami University (Ohio)
Secretary, International Clarinet Association (2003-2004)
Over the years, I had the opportunity to develop several specialties
during my tenure at Miami, including avant-garde techniques, electronic
wind synthesizers, and klezmer. Although I find deep artistic satisfaction
in performing, my main passion is to help young clarinetists perfect
their performing skills as well as helping them reach their career
goals. My upcoming book, Clarinet Secrets–52 Performance Strategies
for the Advanced Clarinetist does just that (due to be released
by Scarecrow Press, January 2004). In the book, I share secrets
about rapid tonguing, intonation subtleties, technical trap remedies,
tone and musicianship strategies, reeds, avant-garde techniques,
klezmer, and electronic music. Secret #52 offers an exercise to
help reach career goals, as well as the following last-minute suggestions
that can be useful as you embark in your music studies and career:
- Join the International
Clarinet Association.
- Attend summer music festivals as often as possible.
- Enter music competitions as often as possible.
- Attend clarinet conferences and masterclasses.
- Learn a foreign language with an audio course while commuting.
- Consider studying the Alexander Technique to benefit your body.
- Start your own clarinet teaching studio.
- Document your career accomplishments for future reference.
- Develop your skills in applying for grants and scholarships.
- Read books on how to write resumes and introduction letters.
- Read The Art of Clarinet Playing by Keith Stein (Summy-Birchard).
- Read the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff books by Richard Carlson.
- Read Audition Success by Don Greene (Routledge Press).
- Develop secondary areas to increase your marketability.
- Perfect your typing and spelling skills.
- Keep up with technology.
- Use the Internet to research valuable career-related information.
- Create your own website.
- Learn to use a music notation computer program.
- Acquire a high-quality recording device.
- Record all your public performances.
- Study orchestral excerpts (Bb, A, Eb, and bass clarinet excerpts).
- Study doubling instruments (saxophone, flute, oboe).
- Study transposition (one step above, and one half-step below).
- Acquire clarinet-repair skills.
- Study early music even though it rarely includes clarinet.
- Subscribe to international clarinet magazines.
- Acquire piano skills.
- Study theory and sight-singing early on.
- Keep a practice and lesson journal.
- Attend applied masterclasses in areas other than the clarinet.
- Put a “reward if found” note in your clarinet case.
- Learn clarinet secrets from your students.
Lastly, I’d like to share one of my articles about klezmer.
VISIT
MICHÈLE GINGRAS' WEBSITE
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These established clarinetists have graciously agreed to share their
thoughts on clarinet playing. May their words offer inspiration and
insight.
Artists
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