Written specifically for each instrument
These duets are not just transposed for each instrument but rather the unique characteristics of each instrument have been carefully considered. For example, subtle changes have been made to part 2 in the duets to make sure that the range is appropriate for each instrument. You wont find slurs in the mallet percussion parts, trombone features no awkward slide positions and the break has been carefully approached in the clarinet book. Read below for detailed instrumental information.
Flute Duets
Taking full advantage of the large range of the flute, book one goes to high G while high A can be found sometimes in the books 2 & 3. Low notes are used occasionally in the 2nd part but problematic notes such as low C are generally avoided. Keys used include from 4 flats to 1 sharp.
Clarinet Duets
Special care has been taken in the clarinet part to ensure that there are many duets in the low register. While duets do cross the break, it is done in a way that approaches the break with consideration, allowing students to build confidence in the higher notes without the awkwardness of crossing back and forth across the break. Sometimes one part will be in the low register, with the other part higher. Book 1 contains many tunes in the low register and does not go above high C. Books 2 & 3 go a little higher occasionally, and some tunes would be perfect for a more advanced student or perhaps the teacher to play the more difficult part. Keys used include from 2 flats to 3 sharps.
Oboe Duets
Generally most duets are written with the lower notes in mind, avoiding excessive use of higher notes. Occasionally some tunes go as high as Eb and if the student is not sufficiently advanced for this, it would be the perfect part for the teacher to play. Duets are varied in range & style and use keys from 4 flats to 1 sharp.
Alto Saxophone Duets
Frequent use of the middle range is made for alto sax with the occasional journey down in the lower notes with the use of low C, C# and rarely low B. Palm keys as high as D are used and both parts are quite accessible. Keys used include from 1 flat to 4 sharps.
Tenor Saxophone Duets
While the alto saxophone uses a little more of the lower register, the tenor is encouraged to explore more of the upper register with the occasional use of the palm keys as high as F. Mostly both parts are in the middle register and are quite accessible for both players. Keys used include from 2 flats to 3 sharps.
Bassoon Duets
The lower part tends to play more often in the lower range, with the occasional trip down to low D and less frequently low C. The upper melody part sings in the higher range and in book 1 goes as high as Eb. If the occasional tune may be too high for a less advanced student, the lower part will be quite accessible.
Mallet Percussion Duets
With a range from low G to high C, the mallet percussion book can be played on any mallet instrument from glockenspiel to marimba. Lower notes are favoured although some tunes do go as high as C. The tunes all match with the woodwind instrument allowing for some well balanced and interesting instrumental combinations. Rolls are encouraged but not notated allowing less advanced student to concentrate on learning the music. Adding rolls is left to the discretion of the teacher or the players.
Trumpet Duets
With a slightly more limited range than the woodwind books, the duets have been adapted to allow students to play the duets without venturing too high on their instruments. An emphasis is placed on playing a strong lower register allowing for sufficient embouchure development as the books progress. If the occasional tune is too high for a less advanced student, it is the perfect opportunity for the teacher to play or perhaps a more advanced student. Low G is used occasionally in passing and low F# avoided. Book 1 plays as high as G and uses the keys from 2 flats to 2 sharps.
French Horn Duets
With a slightly more limited range than the woodwind books, the duets have been adapted to allow students to play the duets without venturing too high on their instruments. Care has been taken on French horn to avoid frequent leaps and large intervals. An emphasis is placed on playing a strong lower register allowing for sufficient embouchure development as the books progress. If the occasional tune is too high for a less advanced student, it is the perfect opportunity for the teacher to play or perhaps a more advanced student.
Trombone or Euphonium Duets
This book can be played by either trombone or euphonium but special consideration has been taken with trombone to avoid awkward slide positions especially moving suddenly to 6th or 7th position. However, if the lowest positions are used, they are generally approached by step.
Tuba Duets
The same part as trombone & euphonium but written one octave lower.
Piano Accompaniment for Duets
Simply put, these accompaniments are fantastic. Written by pianist/arranger Graeme Vendy, the piano books offer contemporary sounding accompaniment to all the traditional tunes in the book. The best way to experience this is to simply listen to the audio samples, or download them to try out.
While the duets sound great by themselves, for a more enhanced experience the piano part really adds to the performance. In the event that a pianist is unavailable, a handy play-along CD is available for each piano book.
Two piano books are available for each book of duets, one for brass, and another for woodwind and mallet percussion. The duet part is written in concert pitch , ideal for the pianist to pick out the melody to help the students along. The books are spiral bound, which means the pages will lie flat against the piano stand and there are no page turns for any tune, all music is contained within a single open spread. Chord symbols are included for all tunes.