Progressive Duets Volume 1

for Alto Saxophone in Eb

By etc.

Item Number: CF.WF63

ISBN 9780825862175. 9 X 12 inches.

The Carl Fischer Progressive Duets for Alto Saxophone is a comprehensive publication of fifty-four graded duets that have been arranged or composed by Larry Clark. Larry has drawn on his extensive experience as a school music teacher and a prominent composer/arranger to create a collection of duets that will be useful in a variety of performance situations. Playing duets is an excellent way for the student to build ensemble skills with a colleague or teacher. This collection is a welcome addition to repertoire that will provide players with refreshing new duets. It is a collection that is long overdue.
In my experience as an instrumental-music teacher, I have found that having students play in small chamber-music groups is a very beneficial exercise to improve their overall musicianship. The simplest form of chamber music is the duet. It is an opportunity for the student to play with a teacher or to play with another student of similar abilities. Aspects of playing such as tone quality, intonation, technique and ensemble skills can be developed during the process of studying duets. Over the years I have become frustrated by the limited amount of available duet collections. It seemed that everywhere I went everyone was using the same one or two collections. Thus, I endeavored to create a new collection of duets for this important teaching and performing purpose. This collection brings together some new arrangements from the classical repertoire along with established duets and some new compositions that will provide hours of musical enjoyment. The duets are placed in the book in order of difficulty and cover a range of keys that are appropriate for this ability level. Special care has been given to making sure that both of the duet parts are on a similar level of ability and that each part is given an opportunity to play a lead role at some point during the arrangement. Also, all musical markings are attached to both parts and the size of the music is large for conveniences of reading. It is my hope that this collection will help to stimulate and enhance the musicianship of the performers. It was a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to put together this collection. I hope it is a useful tool for you for years to come. -- Larr y Clark, 2006.