I once asked Stanley Drucker during an interview if he played long tones during his practice sessions. Stanley’s reply was: “Life’s too short for long tones.” While his sense of humor is reflected in that statement, I believe that there is something to be learned from his response. It has been long understood that long tones help to improve one’s control and tone on any wind instrument. However, when one has played for many years and is reasonably accomplished, playing musical excerpts that require the same type of dynamic control throughout the registers as long tones can offer the same benefits and provide a more interesting musical experience. Therefore, I have attached two sections of the clarinet part from Richard Strauss’ Duet Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon for consideration to improve one’s tone. The beauty and subtlety of Strauss’ writing demand the utmost in dynamic control, musical sensitivity, tonal coloration and uniformity of sound throughout the registers. The benefits of working on this type of excerpt far exceed any long tone exercise after one has done some other warmups AND is satisfied with the reed. There are numerous other excerpts to consider in this regard including the opening of the Copland Concerto, the slow movements of the Brahms Sonatas, the 2nd movement of the Mozart Concerto, the solo from the 3rd movement of Rachmaninoff Symphony #3, etc.
Hint: Listen to Harold Wright & Sherman Walt perform the Strauss on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q1J9HtD8kQ