Belwin Master Duets (Clarinet), Intermediate Volume 2: Clarinet Book

This collection balances historical repertoire with original compositions in a way that keeps rehearsals engaging across both parts. The mix of familiar Classical and folk material alongside Snell's own works means your clarinet students get reliable duet partners without the repetitive tedium of drilling the same pieces across multiple levels.

A journey through musical time. You'll move from the grace and restraint of Baroque counterpoint in Bach and Pachelbel, through the rhythmic clarity of Classical minuets and marches, and into folk traditions that sing naturally on the clarinet. Snell's own pieces sit comfortably within this landscape, never feeling like filler but offering chances to explore contemporary texture and phrasing.

Intermediate clarinet students preparing for solo and ensemble festivals, high school band members seeking supplemental duet material, and private lesson teachers looking for motivating repertoire that progresses logically through a school year. Any clarinet player at the intermediate level who benefits from guided practice with a real musical partner.

• Build independence by assigning one student the first part and another the second, then switching halfway through rehearsal. This forces both players to listen actively rather than rely on a stronger player.
• Use the folk song arrangements to work on phrase shaping and breath management; these pieces reward legit musicality over technical display.
• Isolate the rhythmic passages in Snell's original compositions and tap them on the desk before playing, especially when parts move in different meters or syncopated figures.
• Record your duets on your phone. Students often don't hear their own ensemble balance until they listen back.

Assign two or three duets from this volume each semester as supplementary repertoire during your regular curriculum. The 32-page collection works well for students preparing for chair placement auditions or ensemble festival participation. Use the folk arrangements as warm-up material on rehearsal days when primary repertoire feels stale.

• Matching tone and intonation with a partner across multiple registers
• Reading and balancing independent melodic lines simultaneously
• Sustaining phrases and managing breath across longer musical phrases
• Stylistic flexibility across Baroque, Classical, folk, and contemporary idioms
• Basic ensemble independence and listening skills