This collection of six duets has been curated specifically for the advanced player and if you are looking to step beyond traditional repertoire and explore more commercial, contemporary styles, these pieces are designed for you.
Each piece represents a different corner of the jazz and commercial world, requiring a unique set of stylistic hallmarks and are designed to be performed with the included backing tracks.
Every track features a "Play Along with Paul” option where I will be your virtual duet partner, allowing you to experience interplay and timing of these pieces in real-time or you can find your own clarinet buddy and play with the dedicated backing.
Free Backing Tracks available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0x1dyqhv7wt4x7aajsmbh/C877-Backing-Tracks.zip?rlkey=dcj78bs5nlsft6erujtc33nri&dl=0
I highly encourage you to listen closely to the demo recordings. Subtle shifts in articulation, swing feel, and tone are often best caught by ear, and these tracks serve as your roadmap to an authentic performance. Whether you are looking to sharpen your rhythmic precision or expand your expressive palette, these duets offer a challenging and rewarding journey into the commercial capabilities of the clarinet.
Contents
- Freeway Funk — Tight, syncopated articulations and a chilled vibe. This one is all about locking in the groove—think 70s TV cop show with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance...
- Klosé-nuff for Jazz — A nod to the godfather of clarinet pedagogy, Hyacinthe Klosé, but with a swinging twist in the style of pieces such as Billy Amstell’s 'Stick o’Liquorice’
- Fake News Blues — Sarcastic, lazy, and a bit "smoky.” Lots to play with here, take some liberties!
- Limbada — Couldn’t quite decide what Latin style this was so I invented a new one! Straight quavers throughout with a middle section with a half-time feel. N.B the gliss at the end in both parts is optional.
- Captain Hook — A "hornpipe” brought up to date with a few jaunty harmonic twists. Requires some agile finger-work in the lower register and there’s some fun corners with which you can find your sea legs!
- Rock That Reed! — A heavy Jazz Rock groove prevails through this and it’s something of a workout for both clarinets. Look for beats 2 and 4 to lock in to the groove and enjoy!
Reviews
“Written in different styles, including funk, blues, Latin and rock, with helpful comments at the start of each, giving further insight into the specific character. The duets require the player to be confident with playing across the full range of the instrument (up to high E), with some tricky semiquaver passages to navigate. Freeway Funk requires the player to lock into the groove and features many semiquaver passages along with tightly syncopated articulations. Keys, Shuffle and Blues News both require the performer to be confident with swing rhythms, whilst the Latin Limbo and Bossa Blue feature Latin rhythms inspired with staccato and syncopation. Captain Hook requires agile fingerwork in the low register, with Rock that Reed! finishing the set with tricky semiquaver passages in both parts, coupled with frequently changing key signatures making this a real workout for both players. I'm really looking forward to exploring these duets further with my more advanced pupils.”
— Juliet Cowille in Clarinet and Saxophone Magazine, Autumn 2026.
Listen to audio samples
A short excerpt from No.1 Freeway Funk
A short excerpt from No.2 Klose nuff For Jazz
A short excerpt from No.5 Captain Hook
Video and online media
Downloads
Download Backing TracksSample Pages
