This document provides instructions for playing the D major scale on the clarinet. It begins with background information on transposing between instruments and explains that the D major scale is also called the concert C scale when transposed to clarinet. It then gives the fingerings for the sharp notes F# and C# that appear in the D major scale before presenting the scale across one and two octaves with the sharp notes highlighted. The document concludes by encouraging practice and providing additional resources.

1. D Major Clarinet Scale
Concert C Scale

2. Section I
Explanations and Background Info

3. D Major Scale
The scale you are trying to learn
is the D Major scale for the
clarinet. It is called D Major
because the first note of it is a D
on clarinet.

4. Concert C Scale
This scale, along with all other scales, has
another name. It is also called the “Concert C”
scale. It is called the “Concert C” scale
because for the piano, the first note of the
scale is a C.

5. Putting the two together.
So the scale is called both the D Major Scale and
the Concert C Scale. Somewhat confusing,
right?
Well, this is because the piano is in a different
key than the clarinet. So the notes on the
piano have different names than the clarinet.
For example, a D on the clarinet is the exact
same note as a C on a piano.

6. “Transposing”
“Transposing” is kind of like “translating.” To
“transpose” music, you translate the notes from
one instrument to another, or from one key to
another. The clarinet is in the key of B♭ (flat),
and the piano is in the key of C.
You can always transpose piano music to clarinet
music by going up 2 half steps in the scale.
For example, if you are looking at a “Concert C”
scale, in your head, think 2 half-steps up.
“C ♯ , B♭.” So for a clarinet, and “concert C” is a
“B♭”

7. Why it’s useful to know.
Why didn’t instrument makers make all
instruments have the same note names?
I have no idea and it’s stupid and annoying and
confusing.
However, what’s important is that when you
hear your teacher say “play your Concert C
scale” you will know in your head that for
clarinet, that scale is the “D Major Scale” and
that for you, it starts on a D.

8. Part II
Looking at the Scale

9. The Scale
Both of these images are the D Major scale you are
trying to learn. The first image only has one octave,
and the second has two. I wasn’t sure if you were
suppose to learn one or two, so I included both.

10. Watch and Listen

11. The Notes
This scale has all of the regular notes except for
two. All of the Cs and Fs in this scale will be
sharp.
Click again to see the sharp notes highlighted.
This means that in this scale, F and C will require
a different fingering than you are used to.

12. F♯
Here are the fingerings you can do to play F♯.
There are two ways to do this:
One is to hold your pointer finger over the first hole
on top only. I think you already know that one, so
stick with it if you are comfortable with it.
Another way, which people sometimes find to be
easier for scales, is to hold down those bottom two
side buttons, which are red on the image on the
right, with the side of your fingers on your right
hand, and cover the hole on the back with your
thumb.

13. C♯
There are lots of ways to play this note, but the
easiest way is shown on the left.
It’s similar to a regular C, with all of your fingers
down over the holes, and your thumb over the
hole in the back and the octave key (the long key
above the thumb hole in the back), but you hold
down one of those long, golf-club-shaped keys on
the left side with your pinky.
If you look at the picture, you can see that it’s the
lower key on the left-most side of that little cluster.

14. Practice Time!
Now it’s time to practice.
It’s going to be really
frustrating, but you just
have to keep trying over
and over until you get it.
Let me know if you need
any more help. You can
click on the video to see
the little girl play if it
helps you. I know you
can do it! It just might
take a while! All good
musicians practice all
the time.

15. Useful Websites
If you have trouble, here are some websites that
might help you.
• Lower Notes Fingering Chart (easy-to-read)
• Higher Notes Finger Chart (easy-to-read)
• List of Scales
• Video of Girl Playing Clarinet
• Full Fingering Chart