Clarinet Interval Practice: Drills, Ear Training & Routines That Work

Use targeted drills (scales, arpeggios, register jumps), ear training with a drone, rhythmic variation, metronome work, transcribing and daily consistency. Start slow, check intonation against a drone or tuner, isolate problem intervals like the register break, then increase tempo only when tone, pitch, and finger control stay steady.

Why Interval Practice Matters for Clarinetists

Clarinet interval practice trains how you move between notes, not just how you play them in isolation. Clean, in-tune intervals make scales, melodies, and technical passages sound confident, especially across the register break and in the upper clarion register where many players struggle with pitch and tone stability.

For intermediate clarinetists, most missed notes are not single-note problems but interval problems. Sloppy leaps cause squeaks, sagging pitch, and uneven tone. Focused interval work builds finger coordination, air support, voicing control, and ear awareness so you can adjust pitch in real time and keep your sound centered.

Historically, interval fluency has been central in clarinet pedagogy. Method books by Hyacinthe Klose, Cyrille Rose, and Daniel Bonade are full of interval etudes, broken chords, and leaps that train players to connect chalumeau and clarion registers smoothly. Many of these etudes are now freely available in public-domain collections such as IMSLP.

What Is Clarinet Interval Practice?

Clarinet interval practice is structured work on the distance between two notes and how you move between them. It includes stepwise intervals like seconds, wider leaps like sixths and octaves, and register changes that cross from chalumeau to clarion or into the altissimo register.

Good interval practice always combines three elements: physical control, ear training, and rhythmic precision. Physical control covers finger coordination, air, and voicing. Ear training helps you hear when an interval is in tune. Rhythmic precision ensures those intervals land exactly where they belong in time, even at faster tempos.

For clarinetists, interval practice often focuses on problem areas: throat tones, the break between A and B natural, and notes that tend to be sharp or flat. By isolating these intervals in simple patterns, you can fix issues before they appear in real music, then test your work in etudes and repertoire.

Clarinet Anatomy & How It Affects Intervals

The clarinet's design shapes how intervals feel and sound. The cylindrical bore, register key, and tonehole placement create two main registers: chalumeau (low) and clarion (middle to high). Crossing between these registers changes the acoustic length of the tube, which is why the register break feels so different from stepwise motion within a single register.

The register break typically occurs between written A4 and B4 (just above the staff in treble clef for B-flat clarinet). Below A4 you are in chalumeau; from B4 upward you are in clarion. Intervals that cross this point, such as G4 to B4 or A4 to C5, require precise coordination of the register key, fingers, voicing, and air support.

Throat tones (G4 to B-flat4) are acoustically short tube lengths with many open holes. They often sound dull or unstable, which affects intervals that include them. Many players use alternate fingerings or subtle voicing adjustments to stabilize these notes so that leaps to and from them stay in tune and focused.

Forked fingerings, such as F-sharp4 or B-flat3, also influence interval tuning. Because some toneholes remain closed between neighboring notes, the pitch can sit slightly sharp or flat. This means certain intervals, like E4 to F-sharp4 or B-flat3 to D4, may need extra embouchure or voicing adjustment to lock in with a drone or tuner.

Visualizing the Register Break

Imagine the clarinet divided into two acoustic zones. In the lower zone, most toneholes are closed, and the air column is long. In the upper zone, more toneholes are open, and the air column is shorter. The register key vents the tube to favor a higher partial, effectively jumping the pitch by a twelfth instead of an octave.

When you play low F, then press the register key with the same fingering, you get C5. That is a twelfth above, not an octave. Interval practice must account for this unique clarinet behavior, especially when you move between related fingerings that share the same left-hand pattern but use the register key to change register.

Alternate Fingerings for Problem Intervals

Certain intervals are easier and more in tune with alternate fingerings. For example, throat B-flat (A key plus register) often sounds stuffy in leaps. Many players use the side B-flat key or the 1-and-1 B-flat fingering to improve tone and tuning when moving between throat B-flat and clarion notes like C5 or D5.

Similarly, alternate fingerings for F-sharp5 or G5 can help when leaping from chalumeau notes. A teacher or fingering chart can show options like right-hand F-sharp or forked G that improve tuning in specific passages. Interval practice is the ideal place to test these fingerings slowly and decide which work best on your instrument.

Important Interval Drills (Step-by-step Exercises)

Effective clarinet interval practice starts with simple, repeatable patterns. The goal is not to play complex music, but to build clean motion, solid pitch, and even tone between notes. Use a tuner or drone whenever possible, especially for slow drills and register changes.

1. Slow Stepwise Intervals in One Register

Pick a key, such as G major. Play ascending and descending seconds (stepwise motion) in chalumeau: G3-A3, A3-B3, B3-C4, and so on. Hold each note for two beats at quarter note = 60. Listen for smooth connection, no bumps in air, and consistent tone color between notes.

Repeat the same pattern in clarion, starting on D4 or E4. Focus on matching tone quality between registers. Use a drone on G or D to check that each step locks into the harmonic environment of the key. This simple exercise builds control over small intervals that appear everywhere in repertoire.

2. Thirds and Fourths for Stability

Next, practice thirds and fourths in the same key. For G major, play G3-B3, A3-C4, B3-D4, and so on. Then play G3-C4, A3-D4, B3-E4. Use a legato tongue or pure slur. Aim for even volume and identical tone on both notes of each interval.

Repeat in clarion, then across registers, such as B3-D4, C4-E4, D4-F-sharp4. When you cross the break, slow the tempo and check that your fingers and register key move together. Any delay or extra tension often causes squeaks or pitch jumps, so keep your fingers close to the keys.

3. Register Jump Patterns

Choose a simple pattern like low F to C5 (same fingering, add register key). Play F3-C5-F3-C5 slowly, four beats per note at quarter note = 56. Keep a steady air stream and avoid biting. Use a drone on F or C to check that both notes sit in tune and share a similar tone center.

Then expand to patterns like G3-D5-G3-D5 and A3-E5-A3-E5. These twelfths are core clarinet intervals. Add simple rhythms like long-short, short-long, and triplets to build flexibility. Always stop and repeat any interval that feels unstable until it responds reliably three times in a row.

4. Arpeggio-Based Interval Chains

Arpeggios naturally combine several intervals. Practice G major arpeggios in broken intervals: G3-B3, B3-D4, D4-G4, then reverse. Hold each note for two beats. Focus on landing each new note with centered pitch and no sagging as you ascend.

Then play extended arpeggios that cross registers, such as low G3-B3-D4-G4-B4-D5. Pause briefly between each note and check with a tuner if needed. This trains you to hear and feel the structure of chords, which improves both sight reading and interval accuracy in real music.

5. Large Leaps: Sixths, Sevenths, and Octaves

Start with sixths in a comfortable range, such as G3-E4, A3-F-sharp4, B3-G4. Play them slowly, slurred, then lightly tongued. Keep your throat open and air steady. If the upper note pops sharp, slightly relax your embouchure and think warmer voicing, like saying “ah” inside your mouth.

For octaves and sevenths, use written C4-C5, D4-D5, and E4-E5, then B3-A4 and C4-B4. Practice each interval alone, then in simple patterns like C4-C5-B4-C5-C4. This builds control over the most dramatic leaps you encounter in orchestral and solo clarinet literature.

Ear-Training Tools: Drones, Apps, and Listening Exercises

Strong interval playing depends on a strong ear. You need to hear when an interval is in tune, not just see it on a tuner. Combining drones, ear-training apps, and careful listening to recordings will make your interval practice much more effective and efficient.

Using Drones for Clarinet Intervals

A drone is a sustained pitch, often from a tuning app, keyboard, or tone generator. Start with drones on concert F, G, or B-flat. Play intervals around that pitch, such as G3-B3 or D4-B4, and listen for beats or waves that signal out-of-tune intervals. Adjust your voicing until the sound locks in.

Work in one key at a time. For example, set a drone on concert F and practice F major intervals: F-A, G-B-flat, A-C, etc. This trains your ear to hear how each interval fits inside a tonal center, which is exactly what you need for orchestral and band playing.

Ear-Training Apps for Interval Recognition

Use an ear-training app that drills melodic and harmonic intervals. Start with ascending and descending seconds, thirds, and fourths, then add sixths and sevenths. Aim for at least 10 minutes, 3-4 times per week. Track your accuracy percentage and try to raise it by 10-15 percent over a month.

Once you can recognize intervals reliably, sing them before playing. Hear a major third, sing it on “la,” then play it on clarinet. This connects your inner ear to your fingers, which is important when sight reading interval-rich passages in real time.

Listening Exercises with Recordings

Choose recordings by clarinetists like Sabine Meyer, Martin Frost, or Richard Stoltzman. Listen for moments with clear interval leaps, such as in Mozart's Clarinet Concerto or Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie. Pause and identify the interval by ear, then check with a score or piano.

Try to sing those intervals, then replicate them slowly on your clarinet. This bridges the gap between abstract interval drills and musical phrasing, helping you hear intervals as expressive tools rather than just technical hurdles.

Rhythmic and Metronome Variations to Build Precision

Rhythm and timing are often overlooked in interval practice. If your fingers and air are not coordinated in time, intervals will sound sloppy even if they are in tune. Metronome work with rhythmic variations builds reliable, repeatable control at any tempo.

Slow Tempos for Control

Begin interval drills at a slow tempo, such as quarter note = 50-60. Play each interval as a half note or dotted half note. Use the extra time to listen deeply to pitch and tone, and to feel how your fingers move. Slow practice reveals small coordination issues that fast playing hides.

After several clean repetitions, increase the tempo by 4-6 bpm. If accuracy or tone drops, go back to the previous tempo and stabilize again. This gradual approach prevents you from building bad habits while still moving toward performance speeds.

Rhythmic Patterns for Flexibility

Apply simple rhythmic patterns to your intervals: long-short (half note, quarter note), short-long (quarter note, half note), and triplets. For example, play G3-B3 as long-short, then short-long, then as triplet figures. This challenges your coordination and builds flexibility in how you approach each leap.

Use these patterns on register jumps and large leaps, not just small intervals. The goal is to feel equally comfortable attacking any interval on any beat, which mirrors the demands of real music in band, orchestra, and chamber settings.

Subdivision and Click Placement

Practice with the metronome clicking on different beats. For example, set it to half notes so the click lands on beats 1 and 3, or even on whole notes so it lands only on beat 1. This forces you to internalize subdivision and place your intervals accurately between clicks.

For advanced work, set the metronome to click on offbeats or on beat 2 and 4 only. Then play interval patterns in eighth notes or triplets. This strengthens your internal pulse, which keeps your intervals clean and aligned in ensemble playing.

Transcription and Repertoire Exercises for Real-World Context

Intervals gain meaning when you hear them in real music. Transcribing short phrases and working on interval-rich repertoire connects your technical practice to expressive playing. This also helps you recognize common interval patterns in orchestral and solo clarinet literature.

Short Transcription Assignments

Start with simple melodies that feature clear leaps, such as folk tunes, film themes, or jazz standards. Listen to a recording and write down the notes by ear, focusing on identifying the intervals between each note. Then play the melody on clarinet in an easy key like C or G major.

Next, transpose the same melody to other keys. This forces you to think in intervals rather than fixed finger patterns. For example, if the melody begins with a perfect fifth up, keep that same interval in every key. This is powerful training for both ear and fingers.

Classical Etudes with Interval Focus

Many classic clarinet etudes emphasize intervals. Rose 32 Etudes, Klose studies, and Baermann exercises include passages with repeated leaps across the break and into the upper clarion. Choose one etude that features intervals you are currently practicing and use it as a weekly project.

Isolate the hardest interval bars and treat them like your drills: slow tempo, drone or tuner, rhythmic variations. Once those bars feel solid, play the entire etude and notice how much more secure the intervals feel in context.

Orchestral and Solo Excerpts

Common orchestral excerpts such as Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 contain demanding interval leaps. Solo works like Weber's Concertos and Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie also challenge interval control, especially in the upper register.

Pick one excerpt that matches your level. Mark every leap larger than a third and practice those intervals alone with a metronome and drone. Then reinsert them into the phrase. This method ties your interval work directly to the repertoire you care about.

Practice Plans: 2-6 Week Progressive Routines

A clear plan removes guesswork from clarinet interval practice. The following 2-6 week routines assume 20-60 minutes of daily practice. Adjust durations to fit your schedule, but keep the structure: warm-up, focused interval drills, ear training, and repertoire application.

Weeks 1-2: Foundation & Awareness

Goal: Build basic control and awareness of pitch across small intervals and simple register jumps.

Daily outline (20-30 minutes):

• 5 minutes: Long tones on G3, B3, D4, F4, A4. Use a tuner to center pitch.
• 10 minutes: Stepwise intervals and thirds in one key (G or F major) in chalumeau and clarion, with drone.
• 5 minutes: Simple register jumps like F3-C5 and G3-D5 at slow tempo.
• 5-10 minutes: Ear-training app on seconds, thirds, and fourths.

Weeks 3-4: Register Break & Larger Leaps

Goal: Stabilize the break and gain control over sixths, sevenths, and octaves.

Daily outline (30-40 minutes):

• 5 minutes: Long tones including throat tones (G4, A4, B-flat4) with drone.
• 10 minutes: Thirds and fourths that cross the break in two keys (C and D major) with rhythmic variations.
• 10 minutes: Large leap drills (sixths, octaves) in comfortable range, slow to moderate tempo.
• 5-10 minutes: One short etude or excerpt focusing on intervals you drilled.
• 5 minutes: Ear-training app, adding sixths and sevenths.

Weeks 5-6: Speed, Flexibility & Repertoire

Goal: Maintain accuracy at higher tempos and apply interval skills to real music.

Daily outline (40-60 minutes):

• 5-10 minutes: Long tones and slow intervals with drone to reinforce pitch center.
• 15 minutes: Mixed interval patterns (seconds through octaves) in several keys, with metronome tempo gradually increased.
• 10-15 minutes: One etude and one excerpt featuring challenging leaps, practiced in short sections.
• 10 minutes: Transcription or melodic interval work (sing, then play) in at least two keys.

Maintenance & Setup Tips That Improve Interval Accuracy

Your equipment setup has a major impact on interval tuning and stability. A poorly adjusted clarinet or mismatched reed can sabotage even the best practice plan. A quick pre-practice check helps you avoid fighting the instrument while working on intervals.

Reed Selection and Warm-Up

Choose reeds that speak easily but do not collapse in the upper register. For most intermediate players, this means a medium strength reed that matches your mouthpiece. Rotate 3-4 reeds so you are not relying on a single favorite that may change day to day.

Before interval practice, play gentle long tones and simple scales for 3-5 minutes to warm the reed. A cold, stiff reed often causes sharp high notes and unstable leaps. As the reed warms, check that intervals you practiced yesterday still feel centered and responsive.

Barrel Length, Mouthpiece, and Tuning

Check that your mouthpiece is fully seated on the barrel and that the barrel is pulled to a consistent position. Small changes in barrel length affect overall pitch and how intervals sit. Use a tuner to confirm that written A4 matches your ensemble's tuning standard, usually A=440 or A=442.

Historically, many European clarinetists tuned at A=435, which made some intervals feel slightly different compared to modern pitch. Today, higher tuning standards mean you may need slightly firmer reeds and more focused voicing to keep upper intervals from going sharp.

Quick Mechanical Checks

Inspect tenon corks and apply cork grease if needed so joints fit securely. Loose joints can shift and affect tuning. Gently press each key and listen for pad leaks by playing soft long tones; if a note will not speak softly or sounds airy, a leak may be present and will disrupt interval response.

Schedule routine adjustments with a qualified technician at least once a year, or more often if you play heavily. Even small pad height changes can affect pitch relationships between notes, which you will notice most clearly when practicing intervals with a drone.

Troubleshooting Common Interval Problems

When intervals feel unreliable, use a simple decision process to find the cause. Most issues fall into a few categories: pitch problems, squeaks, tone changes, or finger coordination errors. Testing each variable one at a time helps you fix the problem quickly.

Intervals Sound Sharp or Flat

If an interval sounds out of tune, first check with a tuner or drone. If both notes are consistently sharp, push in the barrel slightly. If both are flat, pull out. If only one note is off, experiment with small embouchure and voicing changes, such as relaxing or firming the lower lip or raising the tongue slightly.

If the problem remains on the same note across different intervals, that note may be inherently sharp or flat on your instrument. Mark it in your music and learn a small compensation, like shading a tonehole or using an alternate fingering recommended by your teacher or fingering chart.

Squeaks on Large Leaps

Squeaks on register jumps usually come from finger timing or voicing. Test by playing the upper note alone. If it speaks clearly, then the problem is likely in the transition. Practice the leap in slow motion, focusing on keeping the air steady and moving the register key exactly with the other fingers.

If squeaks persist, soften your embouchure slightly and think of voicing a lower vowel like “oh” instead of “ee.” Overly tight voicing can force the reed into higher partials. If the reed is very hard or old, try a fresher or slightly softer reed and repeat the test.

Poor Tone in the Upper Register

If upper intervals sound thin or harsh, check your air support. Use a firm, fast air stream from the diaphragm and avoid biting to reach high notes. Practice long tones on upper clarion notes with a drone, aiming for a warm, full sound that matches your chalumeau tone color as closely as possible.

If certain upper notes always sound fuzzy, a pad leak or key height issue may be involved. Try the same intervals on another clarinet if possible. If the problem disappears, have your instrument inspected by a technician to correct mechanical issues.

Unstable Octave or Twelfth Leaps

When octave or twelfth leaps wobble or crack, isolate the leap and practice it as a repeated pattern: low note to high note and back. Use a very slow tempo and focus on keeping your embouchure shape consistent while letting the voicing and air speed do the work.

Record yourself and watch a tuner app in real time. If the high note consistently rises in pitch, relax slightly on the upper note. If it sags, increase air support and raise your tongue position. Small, deliberate adjustments will stabilize the leap over a few days of focused work.

Measuring Progress: Metrics, Recordings, and Checkpoints

Tracking your progress in clarinet interval practice keeps you motivated and shows what is working. Simple metrics like tuner readings, app scores, and recordings help you see clear improvement over 2, 4, and 6 weeks of consistent work.

Pitch Variance and Tuner Checks

Once a week, test a set of core intervals, such as G3-B3, A3-C4, F3-C5, and B3-G4. Play each note as a long tone and note how many cents sharp or flat it is. Aim to keep each note within +/-10 cents of center, then tighten that range to +/-5 cents over time.

Record these readings in a practice journal. Seeing your pitch variance shrink week by week is a strong sign that your ear and embouchure control are improving, even if you do not always feel it day to day.

Ear-Training App Scores

Use an interval ear-training app that shows your accuracy percentage. At the start of your 6-week plan, take a 10-minute test on seconds through sixths and record your score. Repeat the same test at weeks 2, 4, and 6. Aim for a 10-20 percent improvement over the full period.

Higher app scores usually translate to faster, more reliable sight reading and better intonation in ensemble playing, since you can hear and correct interval problems more quickly.

Recording and Self-Assessment

Record one interval-focused etude or excerpt every two weeks. Listen back with the score and mark any intervals that sound out of tune or uneven. Compare recordings across weeks to hear how your tone, pitch, and confidence improve.

Ask a teacher or experienced player to listen to one of these recordings and give specific feedback on intervals. External ears can catch patterns you might miss, such as consistently sharp upper notes or uneven dynamics on leaps.

Conclusion + Next Steps (With Further Resources)

Clarinet interval practice is one of the most efficient ways to improve intonation, tone stability, and musical confidence. By combining targeted drills, ear training, metronome work, and thoughtful repertoire choices, you can turn problem leaps and register changes into reliable strengths over a few focused weeks.

Next steps: choose one or two keys, set up a daily 20-40 minute routine from the plans above, and commit to at least 2 weeks of consistent work. Use a drone, tuner, and ear-training app to keep your practice honest. As your intervals stabilize, expand to more keys and more challenging etudes and excerpts.

Key Takeaways

• Clarinet interval practice should combine slow, focused drills, ear training with drones, and metronome work to build reliable pitch and timing.
• Most interval problems come from register changes, throat tones, and equipment setup, all of which can be improved with targeted exercises and basic maintenance.
• Structured 2-6 week plans, regular recordings, and measurable metrics like tuner readings and app scores help you track real progress and stay motivated.

FAQ

What is clarinet interval practice?

Clarinet interval practice is focused work on the distance between notes and how you move between them. It includes drills on steps, skips, and large leaps across registers, combined with ear training and metronome work, so your intervals are clean, in tune, and rhythmically secure in real music.

How can I practice large leaps (octaves and sevenths) on the clarinet?

Start with isolated pairs like C4-C5, D4-D5, and B3-A4 at a slow tempo. Slur them first, then add light tonguing. Use a drone or tuner to check pitch and keep your air steady with a relaxed but firm embouchure. Gradually add rhythmic patterns and insert those leaps into short etudes or excerpts.

Which apps or drones are best for interval ear training on clarinet?

Any reliable tuner app with a drone function works well, along with dedicated drone apps or a keyboard. For ear training, choose apps that drill melodic and harmonic intervals with accuracy scores and progress tracking. Look for features like custom interval sets and the ability to limit drills to specific ranges or keys.

How often should I practice intervals to see measurable improvement?

Practice intervals at least 4-5 days per week for 15-30 minutes per session. With consistent work, most intermediate players notice clearer register changes and better tuning within 2 weeks, and more stable large leaps and faster response within 4-6 weeks.

Why do some intervals sound out of tune on my clarinet and how do I fix them?

Some notes are naturally sharp or flat due to bore design, tonehole placement, or pad height. This affects intervals that include those notes. Use a tuner and drone to identify problem notes, then adjust with small embouchure changes, voicing, or alternate fingerings. If issues persist, have a technician check for leaks or key height problems.

Can transcribing help with interval accuracy – how do I start?

Yes. Transcribing short melodies trains you to hear and reproduce intervals by ear. Start with simple tunes, write down the notes, then play them on clarinet in an easy key. Once comfortable, transpose the melody to other keys, keeping the same intervals. This builds strong connections between your ear, fingers, and interval awareness.