Reviews - A Practical Approach


I am delighted to see that someone has finally prepared books to compliment the many fine books used in teaching today. These "Skill Builders" go beyond the usual exercised and give excellent, clear approaches to the various techniques needed to develop the aspiring clarinetists. Each presents clear, well illustrated approaches to the various skills needed in fine clarinet playing. Do not overlook the Intermediate Book - it fills that area that is so often neglected.

Fred Ormand
Professor Emeritus, The University of Michigan
David Etheridge's new set of books entitled A Practical Approach to the Clarinet is an absolutely terrific addition to the pedagogical literature for clarinet. David's work over the past forty years comes through very clearly in the entire series as these present a unique way of identifying a specific approach to performing music with the clarinet and the problems inherent in that music making. There are many fine ideas presented in a logical manner and are accompanied by many pictures to help both the student and teacher understand the concepts and approach presented. I congratulate David on his work and thank him for giving the clarinet world a unique approach to clarinet teaching and performance.

Russell Dagon
Emeritus Professor of Music, Northwestern University
Retired Principal Clarinet, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
David Etheridge has long been known for his important contributions to the clarinet world as a university professor, the director of the highly successful Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium and as the author of The Essential Guide to Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, "The Performers View". Now he has recently written and published three books designed for the beginning, intermediate and advanced clarinet students as well as for their teachers entitled "Skill Builders: A Practical Approach to the Clarinet".

Not traditional method or etude books like the Klose or Bearman methods or Rose studies, each Etheridge book deals with fundamentals concepts of playing the clarinet - embouchure, breathing, tonguing, voicing, high notes, etc. with each succeeding book amplifying these concepts in more depth and detail. His is a unique way of approaching these important concepts utilizing imaginative and unusual illustrations and exercises. These books offer a different and stimulating approach to playing and teaching the clarinet with numerous helpful tips and exercises which will be of benefit to all.

Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr
Distinguished University Professor, Michigan State University
I am so glad you compiled a real honest to goodness "instruction manual for the clarinet". I always wondered why a new clarinet never came with an owners guide booklet (with operating instructions and precautions). Thankfully your books serve the purpose! What a thoughtful and welcome contribution to a clarinetist's library.

Jon Manasse
Professor of Clarinet, Eastman School of Music
Distinguished soloist and chamber musician