The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-10-09 00:33
My daughter and a friend are looking for a decent duet to play. She is a clarinetist and he plays tenor sax. Both are quite good for high schoolers, and can play fairly advanced music, so they aren't looking for anything too easy. This is for state solo & ensemble competition later in the school year, so they have a fair amount of time to acquire the music and perfect it.
Any suggestions? And where to get the music also?
Thanks in advance!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-10-09 01:14
I checked the NYSSMA (New York) manual and although there are numerous clarinet duets, clarinet/bass clarinet duets, saxophone duets, alto/tenor sax duets, etc... there are no duets listed for the combination of clarinet/tenor sax.
I would assume that the state manual for Michigan is similar in nature.
Unless you can find a specific duet arranged for clarinet/tenor sax, you will probably have to adapt a sax duet, with the clarinet playing the upper part. Unfortunately, at least in New York, for competition the judge will only offer appropriate constructive comments but will not issue a grade for the performance, since the duet is not being performed with the specified instrumentation or on the state list...GBK
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Author: swkeess
Date: 2007-10-09 02:46
Hi Jeff,
You can check on the Medici Music website at: http://www.medicimusic.com/Index_of_music.asp for some classical arrangements by Ronald Dishinger for clarinet and tenor sax. Click on "Choose Instrument" and scroll down to find the duets under the clarinet section. I've played a few of his arrangements for clarinet trio and they are nicely done.
Good luck with your search -
Susan Keess
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-10-09 03:26
In reference to Susan's excellent suggestion, some of the duet arrangements by Dishinger have been adapted for various woodwind combinations, but none of the clarinet/tenor sax arrangements are listed in the NYSSMA catalogue. The flute/clarinet version of these duets, for example, ARE listed.
It still would be prudent to check your own state manual to see if any of the clarinet/tenor sax arrangements happen to be included...GBK
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-10-09 04:21
Here are a couple of other sources you could try:
http://www.dornpub.com/ken/Mixed%20Duos.html
This is a rather lengthy list of duos for various mixed pairs of instruments and the only way to get through it is scrolling and visual inspection, a tedious process to say the least, but it might yield something if you have the patience to go through it.
Another possible source is the Luyben Music catalog. Go to:
http://www.luybenmusic.com/browse.asp?section=Clarinet+and+Winds
Then select "Clarinet and Saxophone" from the list of options. One work on there that might be worth checking is the Sydeman duo. It may or may not be originally for clarinet and tenor sax. He appears to have written a number of works in the "duo" genre (or possibly just one or two that he has rearranged for a variety of combinations). I note a duo for clarinet and horn (if the work listed in Luyben is an arrangement of that piece, my guess is that it's for alto sax, though). I find another reference to a Sydeman duo that has been recorded by Josef Horak and Jiri Kratochvil. That would be for clarinet and bass clarinet and could be either originally for that combination or adapted from a piece for clarinet and tenor sax. If you google "William Sydeman," you should turn up a link to his website with an e-mail address where you could ask him about instrumentation of his various duos. The piece by Presser might be another possibility as it appears to come in versions for clarinet and both tenor and alto sax.
If the sax player has access to an alto sax, the possibilities increase. Based on other of his works that I am familiar with, I expect the Lemeland "Cinq Portraits" would be well worth exploring (and challenging to play). Another possibility might be the Martelli "Cinq Duos" but I'm not familiar with his work.
As far as grading is concerned, my attitude is that it isn't that important (and your state may do things differently than New York in any case). The real benefit, IMO, is the learning experience and fun your daughter can have. Constructive criticism from a good musician would be a bonus. But that's just my opinion.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-10-09 13:26
the nice thing about Michigan (one of the few things, lately!) is that they have no "approved" list for competitions. Last year, she took a mixed quartet (Clarinet, flute, violin and cello) which was an original composition by one of the ensemble members, who has since graduated.
I would feel more comfortable if they actually had a list, as they used to have in Ohio, where i grew up, but I guess we have to work within the system (or lack thereof) which we inherit by virtue of where we live at present. MSBOA is an "unusual" group!
Thanks to all who have offered suggestions so far. i wil check them out in the next couple of days as time allows. keep more ideas coming, if you have them. I appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: davyd
Date: 2007-10-09 18:39
If they can add a pianist to their ensemble, that would increase the possibilities considerably.
There's a Trio by Loeillet arranged by Hornibrook for soprano and tenor saxes and piano. There's material for clarinet, viola, and piano by Mozart (Trio, K. 498) and Bruch (8 pieces, op. 83); this would mean arranging the viola part for the saxophone, which would be an excellent project for a highschooler. There's a trio by Hindemith for viola, tenor sax (originally heckelphone) and piano, which would have the clarinetist doing the arranging. There's two songs by Brahms for soprano, viola, and piano. And so forth. If they can move beyond music written for their specific instruments, the sky's the limit.
To be sure, I have no idea whether any of this is allowed in the context of Solo/Ensemble Competition. But working up a project like this would have as much educational value, and maybe more, as playing something from a prescribed list.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-10-11 04:41
the MSBOA - I once showed up for a Trumpet duet ("Side Partners" if i recall correctly) on an alto sax (friend played a Trumpet). The judge loved it. The judge also happened to have studied under the composer of the piece when he wrote it !!
20+ yrs later the MSBOA hasn't changed much it seems.
But check with some pro teachers who have connections in the MSBOA. They may be able to point you in the right direction and you may be able to find something that fits.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2007-10-11 07:23
You might try adapting the Mozart duos for two basset horns.
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