How to Practice Clarinet Scales: The Albert Scale Challenge for All Levels
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
At Fujiyama Clarinet Studio, we continuously offer lessons that prioritize clarinet fundamentals, along with various programs and online challenges, so that everyone who loves the clarinet can brush up their skills at their own pace—wherever they are.
Recently, we ran the “Demnitz Etude Challenge”, aiming to elevate the essential clarinet articulations—tenuto (tonguing), legato, and staccato—from “I can do it” to “I can manage it consistently.” By making it easy to incorporate into daily practice and carefully refining tone quality, airflow, and finger coordination, it became a meaningful time to steadily build a solid foundation.
The Next Clarinet Practice Challenge: Albert Scale Studies
Now, here is the announcement for the next challenge.
Why Clarinet Scale Practice Is the Key to Strong Fundamentals
Clarinet scale practice is the foundation of all musical expression. The JB Albert's Scale Studies (Albert scale book) is structured so that even beginners can work through it step by step, and it is especially effective for learning major and minor scales in a systematic way. With the Albert scales you already know from the studio, let’s master scales and build a stronger clarinet foundation together.
Purpose
To incorporate scales, the most basic element of music, into your daily practice (while also understanding keys, learning the first steps of music theory, and connecting that to musical growth). By using the Albert scale book, you can learn two-octave scales in a natural, manageable way.
Albert Scale Challenge Overview: Who Can Join and How It Works
Who can join: Anyone! From beginners to advanced players. Work on it at home whenever you like.
Choose Your Clarinet Scale Practice Course Level
Choose your own approach:
Major-1: C major + one sharp/flat (G, F) — total 3 scales
Major-2: plus up to two sharps/flats (+ D, B-flat) — total 5 scales
Major-3: plus three (+ A, E-flat) — total 7 scales
Major-4: plus four (+ E, A-flat) — total 9 scales
+minor-1: add minor scales (C, a, G, e, F, d) — total 6 scales
+minor-2: plus (D, b, B-flat, g) — total 10 scales
+minor-3: plus (A, f, E-flat, c) — total 14 scales
+minor-4: plus (E, c-sharp, A-flat, f) — total 18 scales
*Uppercase letters indicate major scales; lowercase letters indicate minor scales.
Performance rules
Play each two-octave scale once in a single breath, following the written rhythm (memorization required)
Tempo is free; play legato
Any order is fine, but record all scales continuously in one take
How to Submit Your Clarinet Scale Recording
Attach your YouTube link via the submission form
Deadline: July 30
Before then, we will also host live online sessions to explain the challenge and answer questions.
How to record
Since YouTube is horizontal, record in landscape mode on your phone as well
Recording takes practice—do multiple takes to get used to it
Frame the shot so your face and the whole instrument are visible; slightly angled is better than facing straight to the camera.
Keep the camera level (avoid shooting from below or above; especially avoid a low angle near the bell, as it can affect volume and tone)
Record continuously and trim the beginning/end afterward
Stand or sit far enough back so your full body/instrument fits in the frame
Don’t rush: press record, step away from the camera, then start playing
Once you have a good take, trim only the start/end, upload as an unlisted YouTube video
Suggested title format: “Name, 1. Major1 - C,G,F (example).” In the description, you can list the recording date and the order of scales as your own memo.
Reference videos
Check fingerings and explanations for each scale in this playlist.
Feedback
After the challenge ends, the instructor will send you individual feedback.
If you’d like to learn clarinet scale practice more carefully and in more depth, you can reach out via online lessons or an online consultation. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, you’ll be supported at your own pace.
About Fujiyama Clarinet Studio – Online Clarinet Lessons for All Levels
Fujiyama Clarinet Studio supports your daily practice by building on a foundation of clarinet fundamentals (scales and core technique) and translating them into steady progress in basic skills and musical expression.
In-person lessons as well as online lessons for beginners and adults are available
For lesson inquiries, we also offer an online consultation where we carefully listen to your situation
We will suggest a plan that fits your goals and environment—feel free to reach out anytime.