Cultivating the Contemporary Clarinetist: Pedagogical Materials for Extended Clarinet Techniques

Abstract

The exploration and implementation of new timbral possibilities and techniques over the past century have redefined approaches to clarinet performance and pedagogy. As the body of repertoire involving nontraditional, or “extended,” clarinet techniques has grown, so too has the pedagogical literature on contemporary clarinet performance, yielding method books, dissertations, articles, and online resources. Despite the wealth of resources on extended clarinet techniques, however, few authors offer accessible pedagogical materials that function as a gateway to learning contemporary clarinet techniques and literature. Consequently, many clarinetists may be deterred from learning a significant portion of the repertoire from the past six decades, impeding their musical development. The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the pedagogical literature pertaining to extended clarinet techniques. The document consists of two main sections followed by two appendices. The first section (chapters 1-2) contains an introduction and a literature review of extant resources on extended clarinet techniques published between 1965–2020. This literature review forms the basis of the compendium of materials, found in Appendix A of this document, which aims to assist performers and teachers in searching for and selecting pedagogical materials involving extended clarinet techniques. The second section (chapters 3-5) discusses my original materials that will prepare clarinetists, especially those with little experience with contemporary music, to perform music involving extended techniques, and aid teachers who are working with students on extended techniques. These original materials—comprising preparatory exercises, studies, and sketches—are presented in their entirety in Appendix B. Techniques covered are multiphonics, microtones, and air sounds. My intent is that the information and materials in this dissertation will help to make resources on contemporary music more accessible to clarinetists and part of a well-rounded musical education.