I have just completed my grade 3 clarinet (result pending). I am looking to for some new pieces to start working on in my next lesson. I don't want to go straight to grade 4 instead play things which are preferable not on the list so there is no pressure to do the exam.
I would be grateful for any ideas of pieces I could work on?

Thanks

One of my pupils has got this book (she's also taken grade 3) which is full of well-known pieces and comes with a backing track to play along to:

http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/0322257/details.html

Hi clarisax, welcome to the forum!

We're both at the same stage on clari - I got my grade 3 in April. Hope you do well with your result. What pieces did you do - I did Albinoni's Adagio, The Spy that came in from the cold and Passing Time.

I don't want to think about grade 4 either. Do you have a teacher and what does he/she suggest? I've been doing some sightreading in lessons and for homework I'm doing finger exercises. I'm also trying to learn the G4 scales, but then as you might see on other threads, I like scales and finger exercises So I'm not playing any pieces "officially" at the moment, but for my own enjoyment I am playing some of the sheet music I've got from the period of music that I most like. Oh and I'm practising my pieces for a forum concert as well

Just a hunch, but I guess you play sax as well Which sax do you play and how long have you been playing?

Or just ignore all these questions if you'd rather!

Nice to have another clarinettist on board anyway

It is nice to see some more clarinetists around!!

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any G3 music... Plenty of 4 going on 5, but no 3. Sorry!

Thank You

I did my grade 3 under the new TG syllabus;
When you wish upon a star
Minuet in G
Lefevre Study

I do have a teacher, and their advice was to get whatever I want . I chose my own pieces for the exam, as I didn't like the ones he suggested
One of my friends has already reccomended a study/exercise book which I am getting tomorrow but I'd quite like to get something with a piano part too, gives my teacher something to do

Yes I also play sax it is my main instrument, I've been playing it for about a year and a half now. I play alto mainly but I get my hands on different ones from time to time and I'll always give them ago

If you like jazzy music Rhythm and Rag by Alan Haughton is good (on the list though - grades 3 upwards). The Microjazz Collections are good too.

Amazing Solos for Clarinet has a more classical feel to it (has things like America from West Side Story and Rondo alla Turca by Mozart etc...).

Struggling for things that aren't on the list with a piano part (can think of nice books with CD backings though).

All the best for your clarinet result.

Thanks
I hadn't really considered jazz for clarinet, sax yes but not clarinet. I have Amazing Solos. I love America but haven't played it & have played Rondo alla Turca it is one of the pieces my teacher chose for my grade three .

I like books with backing tracks because I can play by myself but unfortunately my clarinet teacher only plays the piano in my lessons, to demonstrate rhythms etc so unless he is going to play along with me most of the time I need to have a piano part

What books with backing tracks would you suggest? I can work on them myself

Jazz is great on clari too! I love jazz on both clari and sax, particularly soprano sax. I love jazz full stop


With backing tracks I've got Take the Lead similar to what upbeat recommended but mine's just jazz. I've also got a Gershwin book for clarinet with backing track, and on classical I've got "A classic top 10 for clarinet" which has got the following pieces:

Danny Boy
Fur Elise
Romance from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Slane
Ave Maria
Canon in D
Traumerei
Anitra's Dance from Peer Gynt
Waltz from the Sleeping Beauty
Gymnopedie 1, Erik Satie

This one also has piano part as well as CD backing. I forget how much it was and it doesn't say, but it was published by Kevin Mayhew.

Back to jazz I've also got Jeffery Wilson's Times Ten with backing CD - this is a studies book.

I've also got Big Band Hits with backing track - this has got in the following (they give the names of the performers associated with each piece, but there is no singing on the CD)

Beyond the sea - Will Young
Get Happy - Zoe Birkett
Let there be love - Darius Danesh
Mack the knife - Gareth Gates
Ev'ry time we say goodbye - Jessica Garlick
I get a kick out of you - Aaron Bayley
I've got you under my skin - Zoe Birkett
That ole devil called love again - Hayley Evetts
I won't dance - Will Young
Night & Day - Korben
Cheek to cheek - Rosie Ribbons
They can't take that away - Laura Doherty
Oh! Look at me now - Gareth Gates & Zoe Birkett

One of my pupils sat Grade 3 last term. He played "It takes two" from the Microjazz book, and we've done some of the Microjazz duets as well. Work in progress includes "Stranger on the shore", and I've got the Easy Gershwin for Clarinet book lined up for him when he comes back after his GCSEs.

If your teacher is a reluctant pianist (I know I am!), can you do some duets together?

Have you thought about raiding the current Grade III syllabus and buying the accompanying accompaniment CD? I sat Grades V to VIII *mumble* years ago, but enjoy playing along to the CDs.

Keep the suggestions coming though, folks - one of the great things about these forums is learning from other people's experiences. I feel that a recently-examined pupil of mine might be experiencing Amazing Solos soon

I have a pupil who is at grade 3 standard and is loving the microjazz book - also playing 'It takes two'. Another one is the Carol from Finzi's Bagatelles - Even though just one piece, this book is usefull as it crops up quite alot in the ABRSM clarinet syllabus.

Finzi Five Bagatelles (bet none of you guessed I'd say that!)

Well said, Malone. A great set of pieces IMHO, with challenge enough to keep any clarinet player out of mischief from Grade 3 onwards.

I would second the Finzi. I have a pupil between grade 3 and 4 level working on the Carol and it's great. I'm not so keen on Amazing Solos, much prefer First Repertoire over this and the First Book of Clarinet Solos. I like Rhythm and Rag, and Easy Gershwin. James Rae Jazzy Duets could be worth a look as well.

Thank you all for your replies, I am off to the music shop now so will bear them in mind when I am looking
Keep your ideas coming if you can, I am always going into music shops

Note: I think my teacher isn't a reluctant pianist but more of a reluctant clarinetist as in I have never heard him play, he uses the piano to show me how things should go so I don't think duets is going to be possible

Thats a shame - Duets are good fun!! Hvae a good browse in your shop, you never know what you'll find!

If you can, find a clarinettist friend to play some duets with you.

What books did you end up getting?

Your teacher has never demonstrated what you should be aiming for? How does one hear correct tone, intonation, articulation, stacatto, legato, dynamics, niente effect, effect of poor embouchure/breathing etc. etc. etc. on the piano?

That leaves me puzzled. Sorry to go

I got:
Rhythm & Rag
A Miscellany for Clarinet
Clarinet Solos

My friend works in the music shop so he help pick a few

Neil: he shows me everything on the piano, actually that is how I've been taught sax as well but at least my sax teacher is a woodwind player . Sometimes I have wondered about whether or not I should have a teacher who actually plays the instrument in the lesson

Good books clarisax (I'm assuming the book 'Clarinet Solos' is volume 1 of the Chester Woodwind Series- it has an olive green cover).

Hope you enjoy them.

Yup that would be the one