Excursions alone or as a couple

The two volumes Easy Clarinet Outings and Intermediate Clarinet Outings by the American composer and trumpeter Charles Reskin, published by the Swiss publisher Editions Bim, each contain 12 solo etudes and 12 duets. The pieces are stylistically extremely varied and are each dedicated to completely different themes. Sometimes it is about a particular composer, sometimes about a rhythmic or stylistic challenge or then about a specific technical difficulty. All the pieces in the booklet are introduced by a brief classification and tips on how to approach them.

There is an MP3 demo and accompaniment version for each of the solo etudes in the first part of the booklet, which can be downloaded from the publisher's website or streamed via SoundCloud. These accompaniments are also very varied and have a certain film music touch. It is regrettable that the solo part was not recorded live. Unfortunately, the audio sounds quite synthetic.

While the solo etudes have a lot to offer musically and can also be used as performance pieces, the duets in the second part are more didactic, but are no less varied. Overall, the duets are much easier to master than the solos.

This interesting teaching aid is rounded off with a glossary. This contains translations and explanations of the musical terms used, which are appropriate to the style (in the Debussy-inspired etude in French, for example). The etudes from the Easy-band are not aimed at complete beginners, but require a certain level of confidence on the instrument. Similarly, the Intermediate-In some cases, the pieces are already quite technically and/or rhythmically demanding, especially if they are to be played at full tempo with accompaniment.

All the pieces can be listened to on the Editions Bim website and when you buy the booklets from the publisher, you also get access to an online version of the sheet music and recordings via the Newzik app.

Charles Reskin: Easy Clarinet Outings, 12 Etudes & 12 Duets, for 1 or 2 clarinets with MP3 accompaniment, CL37, Fr. 22.00, Editions Bim, Vuarmarens

 Charles Reskin: Intermediate Clarinet Outings, CL38, Fr. 24.00