Why you will soon find the Clarinéo in elementary schools
The Clarinéo can be played comfortably by children as young as 6, repair costs are negligible and progress is fast. Clarinéos have been designed to withstand rough treatment. An accident that would put a standard clarinet out of action would probably leave the Clarinéo unscathed.

The Clarinéo Course

This is a specially written course that, for the first time, introduces a serious instrument into elementary school general music classes. The children use their voices and simple percussion instruments while learning the Clarinéo. There are 32 lessons for the year's course, each one with activities that combine, in an expertly structured way, singing and rhythm exercises with learning a musical instrument. Because thse activities are both fun and a challenge for the children, progress is fast and they learn about  music in depth. A specialist instrumental teacher is not necessary.

The music the Clarinéo can play
The Clarinéo's range extends down to E below middle C (a semitone below the range of a bass recorder). This adds a new, attractive, deeper tone to elementary school ensembles. All elementary school musical instruments are pitched in the key of C, and so is the Clarinéo. It can therefore read the music of violins, recorders, Orff Schul instruments and songs straight off the page. If the music goes too high for the child’s range, as might be the case with some advanced recorder music, all the teacher has to do is to write the musical passage out one octave lower. Thus if the original tune contained the notes E F# G then the notes' names are exactly the same. (For your interest, for those notes to sound the same on a B-flat clarinet they would have to be written as F# G# A.)

Are you an elementary school teacher?
Would you consider learning and, later, teaching the Clarinéo yourself? A tutor book and CD and an expert DVD can give you the correct basics so that good habits stay with you as you get more advanced. Some top-up lessons from a local clarinet teacher would soon put you on your way

The difference it could make
There is absolutely no doubt that the introduction of the Clarinéo into any elementary school would increase interest in music and, hence, the overall standard of music in the school. As a teacher, if you learned this instrument your pupils and school would benefit and (a useful side effect) so would your future job prospects.

The Clarinéo learning pack
Thousands, if not millions of children start on the recorder. Those who show the most progress could move to a Clarinéo. For a school to buy a stock of, say, 8 Clarinéos would not break the bank. Once the instruments are in the school quite a few children would be attracted to own one. The sound of a Clarinéo is attractive to children. It is a ‘grown up’ instrument and sounds just right for Jazz and orchestral music. You’ll find children are keener to play and practise Clarinéos than recorders.

Musical uses of the Clarinéo in the elementary school ensemble
Play the tune solo or unison with voices (thus supporting the vocal line).
Double the tune one octave lower than the recorder.
Play parts written for violins, flutes, or voices.
Provide harmony to the tune (the tone of a group of Clarinéos is particular suitable for this)
Play a bass line (the lowest note is E below middle C)

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