My college professor, James Campbell, used to ask his students “How does the clarinet work?” New students unfamiliar with this question would pause for a moment, formulating in their minds the best way to explain the complicated mechanics of their instrument. Those of us who had regular lessons with Mr. Campbell knew, however, that he was looking for the most obvious answer: “Air.” His point was simple, but its implications monumental. Without air, nothing else on the clarinet works!