For a middle school clarinetist learning to play across the break for the first time, what is the most appropriate first step?

The most appropriate first step for a middle school clarinetist learning to play across the break is to sustain a low G and then press the register key. This approach is foundational because playing across the break on the clarinet typically involves transitioning from the lower register to the higher register, which occurs at the break around the notes E and F.

Sustaining a low G allows the student to establish a solid tone and familiarize themselves with the instrument's lower register before attempting to shift up. Pressing the register key afterward enables the clarinetist to explore the higher notes effectively, as it engages the mechanism that facilitates this transition. This practice helps build the necessary muscle memory and understanding of how the instrument responds when moving between registers, making it an essential step in developing their skills.

While other options may have their value in an overall practice regimen, they do not specifically target the essential technique of bridging the break as directly as the chosen answer.