Classic Rock Instrumental Solos: Clarinet Book & Online Audio/Software

These songs have the swagger and groove of their originals. You're not playing watered-down versions; you're playing genuine rock and soul with driving rhythms, memorable hooks, and the kind of material that makes playing an instrument feel cool.

Level 2-3 clarinet players who want to build confidence with rock repertoire that sounds impressive and feels relevant. This works for middle school students discovering rock classics, advanced elementary players ready for more engaging material, or anyone in a community band looking for accessible but satisfying arrangements.

• Use the DEMO track first to hear exactly how your part sits in the full arrangement, then switch to the PLAY-ALONG track for practice at your own tempo.
• Pay attention to dynamics and articulation markings in the printed part; they're written to match the character of each song's original recording.
• If you're playing with other instruments from this series, start with a single duet combination (like clarinet with trumpet) before adding more players.

Feature these as solos in a spring concert or pops program where you want rock songs that audiences actually know. Alternatively, use them in a ensemble showcase where multiple band instruments perform the same songs back-to-back, demonstrating how a tune sounds across different colors of the ensemble.

• Reading rock rhythms and syncopation
• Playing with swing feel and groove
• Responding to dynamic markings that match contemporary production
• Balancing technical passage work with melodic phrasing in popular contexts
• Coordinating parts with ensemble instruments in the same series