Band directors sometimes make too big a deal about it. Do not start out by telling a student that they are about to reach a very difficult part of clarinet playing. If you do, your predication will come true. Do not scare them before they have even tried to play over the break. The exercises at the end of this section will better prepare them for high notes, and you do not have to warn them of difficulties that may not exist for them.
Some students have very small fingers, and they have a hard time covering the holes completely.
If that is the case, work with them, show them where to put their fingers by moving their fingers over the holds. As they grow, of course, this problem will disappear. The following exercises require that students cover the holes completely. If they do not, they will hear an unfocused, poor quality sound. Fortunately, they will get a sound even if they are not covering the holes properly.