For what level of player are your materials intended?
At this point, it depends on the selection. Finger Fitness Foundations is my most beginner-friendly book, and my other materials are generally ideal for solid 2nd to 3rd-year players and beyond. I think there is something for everyone – beginners can grow as they go, and advanced players will find plenty of challenges. I have more advanced materials in the works now!
I have seen your materials for sale outside of the Clarinet Playground website. Which retailers are approved vendors?
Ada Music Center
Alea Publishing & Recording
Arkansas Musicworks
CAMco
eBay (I am “clarinetist” and I sell print copies of books on eBay)
Edmond Music (Gilliam/Larsen)
Flesher Hinton Music Company
Groth Music
J.W. Pepper
June Emerson Wind Music (United Kingdom)
Long & McQuade (Canada)
Midwest Musical Imports
North Country Winds
Palen Music Center
Pender’s Music Co.
Saied Music Company
Which book is used for Oklahoma All State (OkMEA) auditions for bass clarinets and contra? Finger Fitness Etudes Book 2! FOR THOSE PURCHASING THIS BOOK FOR OKLAHOMA ALL-STATE AUDITIONS FOR LOW CLARINETS (OkMEA), PLEASE NOTE THAT DIGITAL COPIES ARE INTENDED FOR THE USE OF ONE PERSON ONLY. DIGITAL MATERIALS ARE A LITTLE TRICKY. IF YOU PURCHASE A DIGITAL COPY, IT WILL BE PERSONALIZED FOR THE USE OF ONE PERSON. IF YOU’D PREFER TO HAVE A COPY FOR YOUR BAND LIBRARY, PLEASE PURCHASE A PRINT COPY. I AM A LIVING COMPOSER. I HAVE NO HOPES OF GETTING RICH DOING THIS WORK, BUT I DO HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING IF I AM ABLE TO CONTINUE CREATING MORE MATERIALS. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING!
I am a private teacher. Do you provide discounts for large orders or private studios?
Yes! For books, if you order 5 or more of the same title, the discount will automatically apply. If you would like a personalized studio discount code so that your students can order individually, let me know and I can set that up for you.
I chose media mail for my shipping option and it is delayed. When will I receive it?
While media mail is usually the most affordable option, it is often delayed sometimes over a month due to its priority status with USPS. While we may see delivery estimates on our end, they are never guaranteed. If you are in a hurry, please choose a different shipping option. Read this ARTICLE to learn more about media mail.
** Please note that media mail options are suspended during the holidays (November, December, and January). There are simply too many delays to hassle with this shipping option during that time of year.
What is your return policy on printed materials?
Printed books and music may only be returned or replaced if physically defective upon arrival. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Documented evidence in the form of pictures/videos will be required. Please contact me within 3-5 days of delivery at clarinetplayground@gmail.com to work out the details.
Why are digital sales final?
There is really no way to feasibly return a digital item once it has been delivered. I do my very best to ensure that the items in my store are clearly marked as digital vs. print. Digital versions have a PDF graphic at the bottom left of the item photo, and print vs. digital is indicated in bold in the item descriptions. Please shop mindfully.
I ordered digital music. When will I receive it?
If you ordered digital sheet music or books, they are personalized and emailed separately usually within 12-24 hours of your order. Be sure to check your junk and promotions folder. If you are unable to find it, please reach out to me. Free digital products and supplemental items (like practice tracks) are delivered immediately after you order them.
I missed the window to download my digital music and now my google drive link is deleted. Or, my digital materials were lost. What do I do?
Any time you purchase digital music, it’s so important to save it to your own device right away (like a computer or at least a thumb drive). Many retailers only give you 48 hours to download your purchased materials, and then you are up a creek after that point. Lost materials are treated the same way. My general policy is that if a digital purchase is lost or not saved before it is removed from google drive, then I will recreate the file if the person makes another digital (or print) purchase of a different book or sheet music item. Please contact me before ordering your new item so that I’ll be on the lookout for your order and will know which item needs to be recreated.
Why are digital copies priced the same as print copies?
After a great deal of research and contemplation, I came to the decision to price items based on content. The content of the print and digital copies is identical. There are advantages and disadvantages to both delivery options. The method of delivery is your choice based on what format is preferred and/or more practical for your use. When you choose digital, you receive the music usually the same day and you have the option to print it out if desired (this is nice for those who live outside of the US because shipping costs can get really high). Many people who purchase digital copies are using iPads or some other kind of electronic device to read and study their music. Those who choose print copies will receive a beautifully bound copy and will also pay shipping costs and wait a bit for delivery. Additionally, print copies come with stickers and a bookmark. Personally, I prefer print but wanted to have digital available for the reasons mentioned above.
Can I share my digital copy with a friend/student/colleague?
Digital items are personalized and “locked” for access to the original purchaser. Please refrain from sharing your digital purchase. This is, in effect – stealing. Offering digital materials is a risk, but I chose to take the risk and learned how to set up personalized file access to prevent file sharing. I keep my pricing reasonable in order to avoid financial strain on students and/or those with limited budgets – I’ve been there. I also offer studio discounts and frequently run specials.
Who are the employees of Clarinet Playground?
As it currently stands, this is a one-woman operation! Print orders are lovingly packed and shipped by yours truly. Digital orders are personalized by me and sent via email generally 12-24 hours after purchase. Phone calls and emails are answered as quickly as possible by me. Shipping issues or delays are dealt with as quickly as I can get to them. I even manage my website and store. It’s a lot and I also love it. I might screw up too. If I do, please let me know and I’ll fix it. Please be patient and understand that things rarely happen in an instant. I am wearing lots of hats!
Where can I find a list of corrections for your materials?
Check the “Errata” page for a list of corrections. It is updated when necessary.
Why do you have free items in your store?
When I was in high school, money was really tight. I was lucky to have a very supportive band director who paid for my private lessons out of his own pocket. For this reason, I provide a few items at no cost. There are also several free sample pages from the books when you view each listing.
Can you sign my book?
Yes! For print copies of books and music, you can now request yours to be signed and personalized with your name (no additional charges). You will see this option right after you select the item in the store.
In my cart, the dropdown menu only allows me to select (1) or more for the quantity. How do I remove a product from my cart?
Click on the small grey “X” to the right of the product to remove the items from your cart. This “X” has recently increased in size and is easier to see.