Hit Movie & TV Instrumental Solos: Clarinet Book & CD

Playing these arrangements captures the energy and emotional impact of their film and television sources without oversimplifying the musical content. You'll find yourself reaching for the Hollywood sheen of La La Land one moment and the quirky charm of Fantastic Beasts the next, with enough musical substance in each piece to keep your practice engaging.

Clarinetists in their second or third year of study who want to perform music that feels current and exciting. This book works equally well for students in concert band settings and private studio lessons, since the arrangements are self-contained and don't require a full ensemble.

• Listen to the demo track first to hear how phrasing and dynamics shape each melody. This gives clarinetists a model for bringing shape to what might otherwise feel like a series of notes on the page.
• Use the play-along accompaniment to develop ensemble listening skills. Lock into the tempo and feel from the first measure rather than waiting for the accompaniment to find you.
• Pay attention to articulation markings, which often define the character of each piece. A piece from La La Land may call for legato phrasing, while Ghostbusters demands crisp separation.
• Practice the range transitions carefully. Moving between the throat tones and clarion register should feel seamless, particularly in pieces that sit across the break.

Sprinkle individual titles throughout the year rather than performing them as a block. A piece from Wonder Woman works well as a solo feature in a spring concert, while Ghostbusters could anchor a fun Halloween or fall program. The stylistic variety also makes these useful repertoire for auditions and solo competitions when students want to show musicality without the formality of classical standards.

• Phrasing and articulation choices that serve musical character
• Reading across the clarion and lower registers with secure intonation
• Rhythmic precision in pop-influenced grooves and syncopation
• Listening and responding to recorded accompaniments
• Connecting melody to its original harmonic and stylistic context