Belwin Master Duets (Trumpet), Easy Volume 2: Trumpet Book

Snell's hand in curating and composing for this collection means you get a coherent pedagogical arc across 32 pages. The mix of historical pieces (Byrd, Bach, Daquin, Beethoven) alongside original duets ensures students encounter both musical foundations and contemporary voice leading without gaps in difficulty or style. This is the kind of collection that actually gets used because there's something genuinely musical on every page.

A journey across centuries of music, from the elegant formality of Renaissance dances to the bright character of folk melodies, all written in a way that two young trumpets can inhabit together without struggle. The Snell originals offer wit and contemporary color; the classics offer clarity and structural integrity.

Trumpet students in their first or second year of study who are ready to move beyond unison exercises into genuine duet repertoire. This book serves teachers who need a reliable, graded progression of two-part material that doesn't require a second instrument on hand during lessons.

• Balance tone in the opening statement of each duet by having both players match vowel shape and air speed before worrying about dynamics; many young trumpet players lock in better when the acoustic environment is already aligned.
• In the Ten Easy Duets section, mark which voice carries the melody in each piece; rotating parts between players across the set builds equal facility in both upper and lower lines.
• Listen for rhythmic independence in pieces like the Six Fanfares & Flourishes; these benefit from discrete articulation rather than trying to blend every note, especially when one trumpet moves faster than the other.
• Use the Baroque and Classical selections as opportunities to explore phrase shape without constant crescendos; students often discover their best tone when they're asked to 'shape' rather than 'color.'

Ideal for lesson recitals where two students at similar levels need to perform together, or as duet literature for sectional rehearsals in beginning band. The piece titles and variety also make this collection a natural choice for student-led recitals or informal concert programming where the audience appreciates lighter classical and folk-based fare.

• Balancing tone and intonation with a peer musician
• Reading rhythmic independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Interpreting Baroque and Classical articulation styles
• Sustaining musical lines through phrases of varying length
• Transitioning between major and minor tonalities
• Responding to melodic and accompaniment roles within the same piece