Learning Jazz on the Clarinet?

Question:Hi! I'm currently studying for a degree in clarinet, and I really want to learn how to play jazz on my clarinet too, and get involved in jazz combos and the like. I know lots of people just switch to sax, but I love the clarinet's sound in jazz! However, my clarinet professor isn't into jazz at all, and has suggested I go at it on my own.

This is fine, but I have no idea what books and methods would be best to start with. I have a little jazz experience from high school (I played in a before-school group on trumpet music) but that's it. Upon searching around I found dozens of jazz methods for clarinet. Does anyone have any experience in this type of field, what worked best for you to learn off of?

Thanks so much!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hi! I'm currently studying for a degree in clarinet, and I really want to learn how to play jazz on my clarinet too, and get involved in jazz combos and the like. I know lots of people just switch to sax, but I love the clarinet's sound in jazz! However, my clarinet professor isn't into jazz at all, and has suggested I go at it on my own.

This is fine, but I have no idea what books and methods would be best to start with. I have a little jazz experience from high school (I played in a before-school group on trumpet music) but that's it. Upon searching around I found dozens of jazz methods for clarinet. Does anyone have any experience in this type of field, what worked best for you to learn off of?

Thanks so much!

Aebersold is the way to go. The "methods" are ok, but the Aebersolds give you much more experience playing with the changes.

The Bill Smith Jazz Clarinet method book has really really good exercises too though.

I'd combine Aebersold with the Bill Smith if I had time!

In jazz as long as you know theory you can figure out what the players are going for in their improvs. You just have to play along with the tune, You cannot learn it from books, jazz is from the core, the soul, the heart.... If you approach it as you do classical you will be too stiff. You must do it to be comfortable with it, close your eyes and let loose.... go for the disonance and go for the patterns that are underlying in the melody and offset it with some really cool notes that will be fun and awesome.

There isn't anything different for jazz on clarinet as compared to jazz on saxophone or any other instrument. The only slight change will be your embouchure to allow you more vibrato and pitch alteration. The reason most clarinet players switch to saxophone for jazz is because of the amount of music available for clarinet. There are charts out there, but the vast majority of music that gets played in college big bands have no clarinet parts, and it doesn't work well sound-wise playing a tenor part or a trumpet on a clarinet. The clarinet will just get lost in all the sound. If you want to join a big band jazz band, start saxophone, and when it has a clarinet doubling part, you're ready and able to go.

Go to jazzbooks.com and check out the Jamey Aebersold books. The first book I would recommend would be the
Vol. 1 How to play Jazz and Improvise. This is a great book, with a lot of explaination on playing jazz. I'd also download the free handbook on the website. The next books I'd order would be those that interest you. The most popular form of jazz for clarinets is Dixieland. Also listen to recordings of jazz greats like Benny Goodman and Pete Fountain.

go visit the sax professor that teaches the jazz players or find the best jazz sax player at your school and talk about some applied time with them.

I too love jazz clarinet - sometimes the best way to learn is to just do it. See if you can put together some folks to just blow some Dixieland tunes or standards.