P.

Bona - Complete Method Book

This method book is a comprehensive tool to introduce to beginners, and can also be used

throughout the intermediate stage. It starts with scales and basic exercises. There are even

breathing and articulation exercises that a private lesson teacher could expand on. The arpeggio

exercise begins scalier and expands to the arpeggios, which could be a good warm-up. One

drawback of this method book is that there is little to no use of the chalumeau register. Most of

the etudes start in clarion and work up to the altissimo as the skill level increases. The etudes are

also scalier in nature and work to develop fingerings, breathing, and articulations. I would assign

this method book as early as the middle school/beginning/late elementary age to begin proper

technique.
 Leo Delibes - Flower Duet (2 Bb Clarinets)

This piece stays in the clarion register for the most part with the exception of the altissimo for the

first clarinet part. The middle register allows for more focus on dynamics, articulations, and

partner performing. While rhythms may be a challenging part to this piece, the style is the most

challenging, with both performers having to play softly and musically at the same time.

However, the melody is easy to listen to, and for younger players this is a great introduction

piece to duets with its compound meter. I would assign this piece to an 8th or 7th grade pairing,

perhaps for a solo and ensemble contest. This piece could also be used at the high school level

for focus on musicality, phrasing, etc.

 Bach - Invention 15 (duet or solo, 2 Bb Clarinets)

The octave leaps and fast tempo make this piece a more challenging one. The articulations,

especially the mordents and grace notes, also add a layer of difficulty. This piece works as both a

solo and duet piece. As a duet, it would be a beneficial piece as an introduction to Bach and

counterpoint. As a solo, many techniques and articulations can be worked on. If no bass clarinet

can be accessed, a regular Bb clarinet can play the second part in the chalumeau register. The

first clarinet plays in the clarion and altissimo register. I can see fingerings and playing over the

break to be challenging, but Bach is very mathematical and makes for a fun duet. Because of the

extreme ranges in both parts, I would assign this piece to a high school level student.
 Beethoven - Symphony no. 7 mvmt. 2 (arr. for Clarinet Quartet)

This piece is a favorite amongst high school students and classical music audiences alike.

However, the first clarinet part goes very high in altissimo range. This can be challenging, but a

student can be successful with strong air support and a solid embouchure. The student playing

first clarinet must have a strong embouchure. I personally picked this piece because you can have

different students at different levels all playing together. For example, the third and fourth

clarinet parts don’t have too much melodic responsibility. The second clarinet part does travel to

the altissimo range, but for the most part it is a nice counter melody to the first clarinet. Besides

the challenging first clarinet part, I listed this as a more difficult piece because of how all four

parts must play with each other. Chamber pieces teach a student how to communicate and form

musicality as a group. Also, chamber music holds each player accountable for their part in a

smaller, more intimate setting.

 Sousa - Stars and Stripes Forever

This is an extremely virtuosic piece. The articulation differences between staccato versus the

long runs make for a truly challenging piece, not to mention the sextuplets and nonuplets. The

speed also adds to the difficulty. This piece uses all registers of the clarinet, from chalumeau to

altissimo, sometimes even within the same beat. While the rhythmic values are straightforward,

performing this piece at tempo with all the fancy gracenotes and runs is definitely for the student

who wants the ultimate challenge. I would recommend this piece to a high schooler who is

looking for virtuosic pieces with their private lesson teacher.