Clarinetistic character pieces

The 30 New Studies for Solo Clarinet by the well-known English composer James Rae are a series of short, varied pieces in styles ranging from swing, blues, bossa nova to waltz. Titles from Another Planet to Molecules make them accessible as character pieces and thus promote musical expression.

The first «studies» are exclusively in the lower register and can be used as a supplement to a clarinet school. This also gives younger or less advanced pupils the opportunity to experience stylistic variety and create musical images at an early stage.

The pieces then become technically more demanding in small steps, while the keys and time signatures remain manageable. This allows for a clearly structured structure and supports continuous learning without excessive demands. At the same time, important technical aspects such as articulation, rhythm and phrasing are specifically addressed. Metronome markings for all pieces can be accepted as a challenge and are an ideal complement to the characteristic playing. The tempi encourage you to consciously deal with stylistics and pulse.

The booklet is practical and can be used directly in lessons and is ideal for building bridges to classical etude booklets. It motivates through musical variety and at the same time offers a solid basis for further development on the clarinet.

James Rae: 30 New Studies for Solo Clarinet, UE 21 850, € 18.95, Universal Edition, Vienna