The Benefits of Using a Clarinet Neck Strap
Fix Your Clarinet Players' Bad Hand Position:
The Benefits of Using a Clarinet Neck Strap
The Benefits of Using a Clarinet Neck Strap
Do your clarinet players have bad hand position? (Thumb sticking over too far beyond the thumb rest, right pointer finger touches the side E-flat/B-flat key ALL the time, LOTS of tension instead of gently curved fingers, not covering the tone holes well enough, etc.)
Mr. Davidson's master's project from VanderCook College of Music was focused on studying the benefits of using a clarinet neck strap with middle school clarinet players.
Using a clarinet neck strap can help take the weight of the instrument on the player's right thumb to help the player more easily achieve appropriate hand position, particularly in the right hand. This improvement in hand position will likely result in an improvement improvement playing technique, embouchure, tone production, etc.
Originally presented at the North Jersey School Music Association Membership Professional Development Day from June 3rd, 2019, and later presented at the New Jersey Music Educator Association 2020 Conference on February 21st, 2020, please see below (or click here) for Mr. Davidson's clinic presentation entitled "Fix Your Clarinet Players' Bad Hand Position - The Benefits of Using a Clarinet Neck Strap."
The full materials from Mr. Davidson's New Jersey Music Educator Association Conference from February 2020 presentation can be found at this link.
Mr. Davidson's master's project from VanderCook College of Music was focused on studying the benefits of using a clarinet neck strap with middle school clarinet players.
Using a clarinet neck strap can help take the weight of the instrument on the player's right thumb to help the player more easily achieve appropriate hand position, particularly in the right hand. This improvement in hand position will likely result in an improvement improvement playing technique, embouchure, tone production, etc.
Originally presented at the North Jersey School Music Association Membership Professional Development Day from June 3rd, 2019, and later presented at the New Jersey Music Educator Association 2020 Conference on February 21st, 2020, please see below (or click here) for Mr. Davidson's clinic presentation entitled "Fix Your Clarinet Players' Bad Hand Position - The Benefits of Using a Clarinet Neck Strap."
The full materials from Mr. Davidson's New Jersey Music Educator Association Conference from February 2020 presentation can be found at this link.
Find Music by Diverse Composers
- The Composer Diversity Database:
- "The Composer Diversity Database was created to allow conductors, performers, presenters, educators, and researchers a tool with which to expand and broaden their scope of composers and repertoire.
In order to use the database, simply click one or multiple checkboxes at the top of the page. Each checkbox will filter only the names that fall under that category. Multiple categories may be selected—in fact, a search with several different filters (i.e. living-female-chorus-South Asian) may be the most efficient way to use the database." (source) - Note: This website does not appear to format particularly well on mobile devices.
- "The Composer Diversity Database was created to allow conductors, performers, presenters, educators, and researchers a tool with which to expand and broaden their scope of composers and repertoire.
Facebook Groups for Professional Development
- Band Directors Facebook Group
- The Band Directors Facebook Group is an online community of over 25,000 band directors in the United States and abroad. The group is made up of "Real teachers bringing the entire band directing profession under one roof, free of distraction and outside influence."
- The Band Directors Facebook Group is an online community of over 25,000 band directors in the United States and abroad. The group is made up of "Real teachers bringing the entire band directing profession under one roof, free of distraction and outside influence."
- Middle School Band Directors Facebook Group
- The Middle School Band Directors Facebook Group is an offshoot of the above Band Directors Facebook Group. This group tackles issues faced more commonly by middle school band directors.
- The Middle School Band Directors Facebook Group is an offshoot of the above Band Directors Facebook Group. This group tackles issues faced more commonly by middle school band directors.
After Sectionals
- After Sectionals
- After sectionals is a fantastic middle school band oriented podcast by the band directors at Stiles Middle School in Leander, Texas. The band directors discuss and dissect many issues faced by band directors and offer explanations about what has worked in their top-notch band middle school program.
- To listen and subscribe, search for After Sectionals on whichever app you get your podcasts! (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, etc.) You can also listen directly on their webpage.
- The After Sectionals Facebook Page has many posts and discussions as well. You should definitely check it out!
- After sectionals is a fantastic middle school band oriented podcast by the band directors at Stiles Middle School in Leander, Texas. The band directors discuss and dissect many issues faced by band directors and offer explanations about what has worked in their top-notch band middle school program.
Great School Band Websites
- Stiles Middle School Band - Leander, Texas
- The home band program of the After Sectionals podcast.
- The home band program of the After Sectionals podcast.
- Mr. Justin Dickson's Band Stuff Webpage - G.C. Hawley Middle School - Creedmore, North Carolina
- Mr. Dickson has a ton of resources available on his website. Mr. Dickson is also one of the creators of the fantastic FREE tuner app for iOS & Android, "Bandmate Chromatic Tuner"
- Mr. Dickson has a ton of resources available on his website. Mr. Dickson is also one of the creators of the fantastic FREE tuner app for iOS & Android, "Bandmate Chromatic Tuner"
- John McAllister Music
- McCracken Middle School Band - Shokie, Illinois
Other Resources
- SafeYouTube.net:
- Share YouTube videos without having to worry about the comment section, suggested videos, etc.
- "You may be a teacher searching for free technology tools for teachers which enable them to watch and share YouTube videos with students in classroom in a safe and friendly way without any distractions or offensive comments that may scatter their attention, and in that case, Safe YouTube is for you."
- Dr. Selfridge Music:
- Dr. Selfridge has a TON of free music resources for teachers and students:
- Dr. Selfridge Website: https://www.drselfridgemusic.com/
- Dr. Selfridge YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqipAeDrpKzXr7wR3yl6vVw
- Dr. Selfridge has a TON of free music resources for teachers and students:
- BandDirectorsTalkShop.com
- Band Directors Talk Shop is a blog with fantastic entries about helpful tips and tricks.
- You can also check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BandDirectorsTalkShop/
- Teaching Rhythm Logically
- Rhythm is a fundamental of music making. Darcy Williams of the After Sectionals podcast has developed a system of teaching rhythm that progresses in a logical manner. The PDF is downloadable for $20, and it is well worth the investment. You should check out video of the Stiles Middle School band staff presenting this system at the TMEA Convention.
- Count Me In:
- Darcy Vogt Williams has since collaborated with Brian Balmages on a counting method book called Count Me In.
- Team Building Exercises
- Mr. Davidson came across this video on Facebook with several ideas for fun team building activities.
- https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=429518087872780&id=351005892390667&sfnsn=mo
Do you have suggestions for resources to add to this page, or did you encounter a link that's not working or out of date / incorrect information? Please contact Mr. Davidson via email ([email protected]) to let him know. Thanks!