After Hours for Clarinet and Piano: Clarinet & Piano Book & CD

Wedgwood understands the intermediate clarinetist's world: these eight pieces sit comfortably in the player's range while asking them to shape phrasing, respond to harmonic movement, and listen to the piano part as a true collaborator rather than mere accompaniment. The dual backing tracks (full performance with marimba melody plus backing-only versions) give students multiple pathways to practice independently, and the printed piano accompaniments let you work without technology when that serves your teaching better.

These pieces evoke an intimate, introspective mood that lives up to the After Hours title. The jazz and popular influences provide harmonic sophistication and rhythmic vitality, yet the writing never overwhelms the clarinet's lyrical warmth. Each piece feels like a small conversation between player and accompanist, inviting the clarinetist to sing through the instrument.

Intermediate clarinet students ready to develop musicality and collaborative listening skills will find these pieces both accessible and artistically satisfying. Teachers who have used Wedgwood's Jazzin' About series will recognize her signature style; this collection offers natural progression without requiring a different pedagogical approach.

• Listen actively to the piano part during rehearsals and practice. The accompanying voices often outline the harmonic progression; tracking these changes helps you understand where the melody sits within each phrase.
• Use the full performance track (with marimba melody) to internalize phrasing and rhythmic nuances before isolating your own part with the backing-only version.
• Pay attention to dynamics and articulation markings as musical conversation partners with the piano. These pieces reward players who match the accompaniment's texture and intensity rather than playing over it.
• When learning a new piece, practice the printed piano part first to hear the harmonic and rhythmic framework that supports your melody.

These eight pieces work beautifully as recital material for intermediate soloists, either programmed individually or as a short suite. They also serve well in a casual concert setting where you want to showcase clarinet in a chamber context without the rehearsal demands of full ensemble repertoire. Their sophisticated yet accessible sound appeals to audiences seeking contemporary jazz-influenced work.

• Phrasing and shaping over harmonic progressions
• Active listening and ensemble response within a duo
• Interpretation of jazz and popular musical idioms
• Rhythmic independence while maintaining flexibility with accompaniment
• Melodic ornamentation and expressive control in the intermediate range