Solo woodwind performance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse a solo clarinet performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement and I can improve the technical control of my own performance.
Key learning points
- Good technical control is crucial for effective performance.
- This encompasses intonation, tone quality, projection and other technical aspects.
- Building exercises focused on improving technique into practice routines will quickly improve technical control.
- We analysed a very high standard performance with excellent technical control, accuracy and an engaging interpretation.
Keywords
Tone - the specific timbre of a sound, not to be confused with the interval also called a tone
Intonation - the tuning of notes; if a performer has good intonation it means that the notes are not out-of-tune
Phrasing - how a performer gives shape to sections of the melody through subtle use of dynamics, tone and articulation
Common misconception
Phrasing is just how the notes are grouped together on the sheet music.
Professional musicians create expressive phrasing with subtle changes in dynamics, tone and articulation to give shape to phrases. Compare it to speaking - you naturally add expression to speech by subtly changing volume and tone during a sentence.
Teacher tip
The strategies that pupils use in their practice to develop technique will vary greatly based on the instrument and their current standard of performance. Where possible, guide them towards specific resources, exercises or strategies that will help them to develop their chosen aspect of technique.
Files needed for this lesson
Performance exemplar - clarinet (audio) 4.16 MB (MP3)
Performance exemplar - clarinet (score) 72.91 KB (PDF)
Performance exemplar - clarinet (clarinet part) 45.12 KB (PDF)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which dynamic marking is slightly quieter than forte (f)?
Q2.What does an accent (>) tell the performer to do?
Q3.Which factors most directly helps a performer project their sound clearly to an audience?
Q4.Which performance choice best suits a classical piece?
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Solo woodwind performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Solo woodwind performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the Solo performance unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.