#themusicchambers

Bass Clarinet Solos Every Bass Clarinetist Should Play: Part 3 Stolen Solos

Amy Chambers

Apr 25, 2021
1 min

Bass Clarinet Solos Every Bass Clarinetist Should Play: Part 3 Stolen Solos

Since the bass clarinet hasn't been in existence as long as the cello or even the clarinet, we simply don't have the volume of solo bass clarinet music that other instrumentalists enjoy. So we steal. . .err borrow. . . Here are my top picks for my own students with at least 4 years of instruction: Eccles: Sonata in G minor, bass clarinet with piano, originally written for cello Bach: Six Suites, Alea Publishing; these cello suites are transcribed for solo bass clarinet; some

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Bass Clarinet Solos Every Bass Clarinetist Should Play: Part 2 Advanced Original Works

Amy Chambers

Apr 24, 2021
2 min

Bass Clarinet Solos Every Bass Clarinetist Should Play: Part 2 Advanced Original Works

I always feel like I have a limited amount of time with my bass clarinet students before they go off to college. Between a busy marching season, learning required pieces for auditions, and the generally packed life high schoolers, there isn't as much time as I'd like to play around with all the great solo literature out there. This list isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list; it is certainly a little more “dead white guy” than I’d like it to be. Notably absent is music from my

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Bass Clarinet Solos Every Bass Clarinetist Should Play: Part 1 Intermediate

Amy Chambers

Feb 16, 2021
2 min

Bass Clarinet Solos Every Bass Clarinetist Should Play: Part 1 Intermediate

Picture this: 37 middle schoolers rifling through a band director's file cabinets trying to find a solo to play. The kids usually have no idea what the pieces sound like, so they pick something with a mildly catchy name that they end up not really liking anyway, losing half the pages during the chaos. This scene is probably familiar to every band director who has ever prepared for solo and ensemble contest. I'm here to help. In this 3 part series, I'll share my favorite bass

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Amy Chambers

Jan 30, 2021
2 min

Everything a Beginner Clarinetist Needs

Your child wants to learn clarinet. You are thrilled they want to do something besides watch YouTube and play video games, but you aren't sure what you'll need to get them started. Sound familiar? Choosing a clarinet and accessories can be overwhelming; there are a lot of lousy instruments for sale that will guarantee your child will have a frustrating experience. Band directors and private instructors often have their own recommendations; always check with them first. I reco

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Top 5 Clarinet Solos for High School Musicians

Amy Chambers

Sep 18, 2020
1 min

Top 5 Clarinet Solos for High School Musicians

They are fun to play, they are approachable by students with a few years of study behind them, and they are each worthy of a solo. . .

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Amy Chambers

Sep 7, 2020
2 min

Beyond Hot Cross Buns

Are you looking for some fun clarinet solos to play, but you're not quite ready for the Mozart Clarinet Concerto?

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Top 5 1/2 Clarinet Solos for the Advanced Beginner

Amy Chambers

Aug 31, 2020
2 min

Top 5 1/2 Clarinet Solos for the Advanced Beginner

Choosing solo pieces for students can be tough for band directors and nearly impossible for young players. Music should be fun at any level of playing, and I'd like to take the guesswork out of repertoire selection. A list of easy solos for Early Beginners is here, but read on for my favorite solos for the Advanced Beginner. Find Festival Solos by Standard of Excellence here. Find 1st Recital Series for Bb Clarinet here. Advanced Beginner Quicker pieces that generally do not

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Amy Chambers

Aug 29, 2020
1 min

Let's be honest.

I am not a writer. I am not a website designer, blogger, or a social media anything. The thing that really lights my fire is teaching. It's making connections with students and sharing all that I've learned from musicians way better than me over the past 40 years. Yet here I am, writing. The past few months, that musical thing that I love to do has come to a screeching halt. My very last in-person lesson in March was with a sweet, hard-working clarinetist who was getting read

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Amy Chambers

Aug 15, 2020
1 min

Free Clarinet "Boot Camp"

This free guide is designed to help any clarinetist get back into playing shape in as little as 30 minutes a day.

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Amy Chambers

Jul 24, 2020
1 min

Checklist to prepare for online lessons

Do you want to make the most of your lesson time? Here is a checklist for teachers and students to help you prepare for your first lesson. Device: A laptop or tablet with good WiFi works better than a smartphone. Check your camera ahead of time to be sure the camera is displaying your entire head, upper body, and instrument. Lighting: Position yourself with adequate lighting, such as a window, in front of you in a quiet room. Instrument: Have your clarinet and reeds r

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What you should know about online clarinet lessons

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