Pop & Rock Hits Instrumental Solos: Clarinet Book & CD

Contemporary and engaging. These are songs with hooks that stick, arranged to showcase clarinet without requiring virtuosity. You'll find yourself enjoying the stylistic shift from standard band repertoire while still building legitimate musicianship.

Level 2-3 clarinetists who are ready to move beyond method-book solos but still need support. This works equally well for a student building independence at home or a section adding variety to rehearsal. The compatible instrumentation also makes it ideal for small ensembles or mixed-instrument combos.

• Pay attention to the demo track's articulation and phrasing choices. These players modeled exactly how to shape the line in a pop/rock context, which is different from the classical approach most clarinetists learn first.
• Treat the rhythm section on the accompaniment as your reference point for tempo and groove. Lock into the pocket rather than racing ahead, especially during syncopated passages.
• Balance brightness with control in the upper register. Pop songs often sit high on clarinet, and you'll need projection without shrillness to cut through the mix.
• Mark your breath spots before you rehearse with the CD. These arrangements don't always align with classical phrasing conventions, so plan ahead to avoid gasping mid-phrase.

Slot these into a spring pops concert or use them as rewards during the heavier fall/winter repertoire season. They're also excellent for recruiting reluctant players; a clarinetist who rolls their eyes at another overture will often light up when they see "Firework" or "Just the Way You Are" on the stand.

• Reading syncopated rhythms common to pop and rock idioms
• Balancing tone and projection in contemporary styles
• Responding to rhythmic cues from rhythm section instruments
• Phrasing melodies outside of classical conventions
• Maintaining tempo consistency with recorded accompaniment