Hi all

Clarinetting is going really well, just had lesson 4, started learning clarion register notes now (at the moment can go up to A 1 ledger line above). I've been learning various grade 1 and 2 pieces, mostly grade 2, and just playing through lots of little pieces from the books I have, which are -

- clarinet basics (which don't use much in lessons, but was great for learning notes and short tunes to practice them)
- really easy clarinet book (played through most of this now, learning the grade 2 piece from it now)
- time pieces vol 1 (just starting to explore more)
- starters for clarinet (haven't explored this too much yet though)
- progressive studies book 1 (played a lot of the early ones, and a few in the teens)
- easy gershwin (learnt summertime and also played through all of the chamleau register pieces, learning nice work if you can get it now)

I'm very much enjoying the Gershwin stuff. My teacher is really looking to me at the moment as to what pieces I want to play, basically I want to just play around with stuff whilst learning new notes, and technique, and then perhaps look towards working towards an exam in the summer.

So - does anyone have any other suggestions for good books/repertoire pieces that might be suitable for where I'm at now, and for progressing a bit further also (I like challenging myself!!) I'm loving the jazzy/swingy Gershwin stuff, so anything similar to that would be nice, or also longer 'proper' classical pieces if there is anything at my level. I don't want any other really easy absolute beginner/grade 1 stuff as have plenty of that now and just looking for some other things to stretch me and to move on.



thanks in advance!

Hi eirlys

The Easy Gershwin was my favourite book when I was around G2 level, I think. My particular favourites were Love Walked In and Embraceable You

Other than the Easy Gershwin, there wasn't any other book in which I liked all the pieces. That's my excuse for buying lots of books and sheet music anyway, and I'm sticking to it

What about getting the ABRSM Selected Exam Pieces book - you can get them for each grade, either with or without CD. They contain 9 pieces, and obviously you don't have to do the exam just because you've got the book, but if you do decide to do an exam in due course, you're already half way there. You can download a PDF of the syllabus from this page

Glad you're enjoying it!

My daughter likes jazzy pieces and has enjoyed both the Christopher Norton "Microjazz" books for clarinet. The first one starts at a quite elementary level and I suppose by the end of book 2 the pieces are Grade 5ish. Might be worth a look.

Oh I remember 'Microjazz' from learning piano when I was younger, will look out the clarinet version thanks .

I'm not sure about buying exam books - my teacher has given me a few copies of a few exam pieces, but I don't want to pre-empt her by getting the book - also don't want to get too bored of any pieces I might have to learn to death for an exam. Good idea though cos at least I'd know what level they're at!

Have just completely knackered my poor right thumb, basically played for a whole hour, playing through grade 3 up to 4 bits from the Progressive Studies book. By no means perfect, but do-able, would take work to get 100%, so maybe I could attempt some 'proper' stuff at around grade 2-4 standard.

The Time Pieces books are quite fun (published by ABRSM) and give a range of repertoire through the ages, carefully edited to be suitable for the early grades. Could be useful if you don't want to limit yourself to 20th century music all the time.

You'd probably cope with a good portion of book 1, and I'll guess you aren't far off book 2.

First Repertoire for Clarinet (Harris/Johnson) is also a good book, generally more classically inclined, also 'Up-Grade' for clarinet grade 2/3.

I'd recomend getting the grade book 2 for several reasons.
Firstly you know what the standard of the pieces is.
Secondly the contain a variety of style of music - other books can be a bit 'samey'
Thirdly because your progressing quite fast I don't think you're going to take G2 so you don't have to worry about getting bored playing a piece. (I found some of the G3 pieces easier than some of the G2 pieces - specifically for me the G2 piece by Chris Gumbley was really difficult)
Finally you can listen to the CD and see if you like the sound of any of the alternative pieces and buy the music if you do. (Be aware that there is a lot of G1-3 music available 2nd hand so you can save yourself some money as you will get through it fairly quickly)

I'd recomend any of the play along books too - a lot of them are aimed at the early grades and they are good for making you play in time properly.

That's some good points smd. Do the cd's have a minus one option to just get the accompaniment as well? Thing is I also have 5 out of the 9 pieces in the G2 book with the books I own/the copies my teacher has given me! I've learnt the Chris Gumbley over the last 2 weeks (In The Small Hours?), it's still not perfect (need to get the run at the end a bit tighter and concentrate on the rhythm in the second half) but going pretty well now, it's a nice fun piece isn't it. Have you (or anyone else) got the book it comes from, Cool School, is the rest of it similar?

Thanks for recommendation barry - are there a few G3 pieces the end of that, from reading the syllabus, or am I mixed up?

Is 'Clarinet Basics Repertoire' any good?

Just come back in and want to play clarinet again, don't think it's fair for neighbours this time of night though (plus I think my thumb would fall off). Boo. Roll on tomorrow evening.

Might just do some late-night online music shopping instead!

There are 2 pieces for grade 3 in the Paul Harris/Emma Johnson book (one is duplicated in the AB grade 3 book).

Cool thanks.

More annoying questions sorry, if anyone knows.......

- What else is in the 'Popular Ballet Themes for Clarinet' book? The waltz from Sleeping Beauty is on G3 and I love that tune, if there's other good ones in the book it might be worth it

- What level would 'Stranger on the Shore' be? Sounds good on Youtube, would have to work on long notes tone!


Hmm my shopping basket comes to £60 - best call that a shortlist and whittle it down methinks!

(might be getting a bit carried away here......)

This appears at the end of 'Team Woodwind'. Note/rhythm wise, it's about grade 3/4. Getting the style/tone may require more experience.

I use Clarinet Basics Repertoire with many of my pupils. It's quite good concentrating on various technique issues and has pieces in there from Gr 2-4 I think. It's not ordered in difficulty - so a Grade 2 piece can be side by side with a Gr 4 piece. My pupils love The Babbit and the Bromide- and many choose that for Gr 2. I used it recently with a pupil post Grade 3- as a technique book, alongside Disney solos (I like that book!!!!) Guest Spot and Junior Guest Spot Beatles/ Abba/ Discover the Lead Bumper Pack book.
Some of my children find CB Repertoire hard going- I had an adult who loved it as it explains what exercises to do before playing the piece.

I love the First Repertoire book Barriclari recommended and so do my pupils!!!!!

I had a pupil who wanted to do Sleeping Beauty Waltz for Gr 3 and she bought the book Popular Ballet themes. The other pieces in there are good but beyond her reach at the moment (she's doing Gr 4 this term). I can look up what pieces they are if you wish.
I used to work with Colin Cowles wife and he lives near me (a bit of name dropping there).

Thanks for the recommendations everybody. Had a bit of a spree at the music shop this morning!!!

Ended up spending £40 although that did inlcude some fiddle stuff too, and a nifty little rubber thing for my thumb rest

I got
- first repertoire (already played through about six of these this afternoon, some fun stuff, the G3 pieces in there are really nice to play too, so much for not looking at exam pieces!)
- rhythm & rag (had a go at the beginning of the book, liking it)
- time pieces vol 2 (saving this at the mo till I get through the rest of vol 1)
- new pieces for clarinet book 1 (putting away for now, but it's pieces are nicely labelled G3 & G4 and I liked what I 'read' in the shop).

Had a look at microjazz 1, although none of the pieces in there really caught my attention so went for rhythm & rag instead. They didn't have microjazz 2, the ballet book or cool school to look at. (nicki if you do get the chance to look it up I'd be very grateful - I'm hoping for some of Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet!)

Having a saturday night in treating the dog to a lot of clarinetting now!

Ooh also found Stranger on the Shore as the last piece in Clarinet Basics (hadn't actually looked at the back of the book yet). Not sure if it's the 'real' version or a simplified arrangement, but I like it!!

It's ok, found the contents of the popular ballet themes

http://www.chappellofbondstreet.co.uk/prod...d=COBS000045013

sadly no romeo & juliet, I like dance of the hours and russian dance, haven't heard of the others.

I like this book. Way back when, I did 'Bolney Ballad' in this book for my grade 3...