John McAllisterComposer, Educator
  • Start Here
    • Search Site
    • Blog
    • Rhythm Masterclass
  • Music
    • Concert Band - Marches
    • Concert Band - B
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Concert Band - M
    • Concert Band - MA
    • Concert Band - A
    • Adaptable Duets
    • Adaptable Trios >
      • Adaptable Trios SAB
      • Adaptable Trios Mix Match
    • Adaptable Quartets
    • Brass Quintet
    • Adaptable Quintets >
      • Adaptable Quintets - Classical
      • Adaptable Quintets - Pops
      • Adaptable Quintets - Folk & Traditional
      • Adaptable Quintets - Patriotic
      • Adaptable Quintets - Originals
      • Adaptable Quintets - Hymns & Religious
    • Etudes and Exercises
    • Marching Band >
      • Marching Band - Stands Tunes
      • Marching Band - Community
    • Video Games
    • Jazz
    • Christmas/Holiday
    • Strings
  • Instruments
    • Flute >
      • Flute Warm-Ups
      • Flute Scales & Technique
      • Flute Duets
      • Flute Trios
      • Flute Choir
      • Flute Choir Christmas
    • Oboe >
      • Oboe Warm-Ups
      • Oboe Scales & Technique
      • Oboe Duets
      • Oboe Trios
    • Bassoon >
      • Bassoon Warm-Ups
      • Bassoon Scales & Technique
      • Bassoon Duets
      • Bassoon Trios
    • Clarinet >
      • Clarinet Warm-Ups
      • Clarinet Scales & Technique
      • Clarinet Duets
      • Clarinet Trios
      • Clarinet Choir
    • Saxophone >
      • Saxophone Warm-Ups
      • Saxophone Scales & Technique
      • Saxophone Duets
      • Saxophone Trios
    • Trumpet >
      • Trumpet Warm-Ups
      • Trumpet Scales & Technique
      • Trumpet Music
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Horn >
      • Horn Warm Ups
      • Horn Scales & Technique
      • Horn Duets
      • Horn Trios
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Trombone >
      • Trombone Warm Ups
      • Trombone Scales & Technique
      • Trombone Duets
      • Trombone Trios
      • Trombone Ensembles
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Euphonium >
      • Euphonium Warm-Ups
      • Euphonium Scales & Technique
      • Euphonium Duets
      • Euphonium Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Tuba >
      • Tuba Warm-Ups
      • Tuba Scales & Technique
      • Tuba Music
      • Brass Quintet
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Ensemble Theory
    • Warm-ups >
      • First Fundamentals
      • Foundation Warm-Ups
      • Framework Fundamentals
      • Young Ensemble
      • Symphonic Warm-Ups
      • Comprehensive Warm-Ups
      • Advanced Warm-Ups
      • Build A Warm-Up
      • Chorales
      • Seasonal
      • Haunted
    • Warm-Ups Symphony
    • Fundamentals >
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation Toolbox
    • Scales and Technique >
      • Crush Your Scales
    • Rhythm
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Breathing
    • Jazz Center >
      • Jazz Basics
    • Improvisation
    • Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Posters
    • Free Christmas
  • Bonus Content
    • Cinematic Warm-Ups Sets
    • Seasonal Warm-Ups
    • Cinematic Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Arbans
    • Pop Rhythms
    • Classical Improv
    • LoFi
    • Music Humor
  • Contact
Picture

Duets!

5/19/2021

1 Comment

 
The Claim
Duets are one of the best ways to develop young musicians. (And can be so much fun)
My Experience (as a youngster)
In my early lessons as a developing trombonist, one of the mainstays was a duet a week. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but it was having a HUGE impact on my playing. In my earliest lessons, I became a great sight-reader because I was always woefully underprepared. As I got older and actually realized the importance of practicing, I developed sight-reading skills AND musicianship. Those weekly duets had a tremendous impact on my playing and have had a huge impact on my ability to create music at a high level today. (i.e. reading and processing music scores and such)

​As I’ve watched and coached many a young “lessons teacher” over the years, I’ve found that this is one item that is often overlooked. So I think we should change that!
The Passing of Knowledge
Picture
One of the reasons duets are so beneficial is because it’s basically the apprentice mentality. The older, more mature musician is passing on the knowledge to the student. The student has to “play up” to the professional. I don’t think the benefit of this musical pairing can be overstated. 

​**Note: I do think it’s also quite beneficial for two young musicians to practice duets together. This puts all the control (notes, rhythms, timing, tempo, musicality) solely in their hands. If they’ve been trained well, they’ll make music (and enjoy making it!). And hopefully develop a life-long love for making music. **
Some Ideas
Picture
If you teach lessons (or have lessons teachers), make sure to play duets! 
​
One - Find a great book(s) that progresses gradually and jump in at a developmentally appropriate level. I like the Advanced Method and Selected Duets Voxman / Rubank and the compatible chamber series (and progressive duets) put out by Carl Fisher. I also really like the Festival Ensembles that goes along with Standard of Excellence.. not duets, but still a great intro to chamber music. 

Two - Work at two different levels. 
  • Play ones that are intended to be prepared each week
  • Sight-read easier ones

Three - Set up a duets program within a band/music program. Either match abilities or possibly have older students paired with younger students. Coach the older students on how to help the younger players.

Four - Play a recital! Chamber music is so awesome and can give more performance opportunities, even just playing for peers.


Closing Thoughts
I find myself increasingly on a mission to infuse music into everything.. especially live musicians who can perform out in the community. Duets can help young players to really develop a love for making music. To me, that’s what it’s all about. Getting musicians connected to the music and to MAKING music.
1 Comment
Gretel Balls
12/2/2024 09:16:55 am

I love your music Mr John and I hope that you can make more young ensemble warm ups in the future this is gretel Balls and thank you for your legendary work

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    The musings of a composer that also band directs!! ... or maybe it's the other way around..

    Archives

    May 2021
    March 2020
    February 2020
    March 2019
    December 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Follow on Youtube, Instagram, or Facebook

Picture
Picture
Picture
can't find it? search here.
the site
Free Resources
​Instruments
Compositions
Instruments
Privacy
Picture
Tip Jar? Click below. More coffee. More free stuff.
composer
About
Contact
The Blog
  • Start Here
    • Search Site
    • Blog
    • Rhythm Masterclass
  • Music
    • Concert Band - Marches
    • Concert Band - B
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Concert Band - M
    • Concert Band - MA
    • Concert Band - A
    • Adaptable Duets
    • Adaptable Trios >
      • Adaptable Trios SAB
      • Adaptable Trios Mix Match
    • Adaptable Quartets
    • Brass Quintet
    • Adaptable Quintets >
      • Adaptable Quintets - Classical
      • Adaptable Quintets - Pops
      • Adaptable Quintets - Folk & Traditional
      • Adaptable Quintets - Patriotic
      • Adaptable Quintets - Originals
      • Adaptable Quintets - Hymns & Religious
    • Etudes and Exercises
    • Marching Band >
      • Marching Band - Stands Tunes
      • Marching Band - Community
    • Video Games
    • Jazz
    • Christmas/Holiday
    • Strings
  • Instruments
    • Flute >
      • Flute Warm-Ups
      • Flute Scales & Technique
      • Flute Duets
      • Flute Trios
      • Flute Choir
      • Flute Choir Christmas
    • Oboe >
      • Oboe Warm-Ups
      • Oboe Scales & Technique
      • Oboe Duets
      • Oboe Trios
    • Bassoon >
      • Bassoon Warm-Ups
      • Bassoon Scales & Technique
      • Bassoon Duets
      • Bassoon Trios
    • Clarinet >
      • Clarinet Warm-Ups
      • Clarinet Scales & Technique
      • Clarinet Duets
      • Clarinet Trios
      • Clarinet Choir
    • Saxophone >
      • Saxophone Warm-Ups
      • Saxophone Scales & Technique
      • Saxophone Duets
      • Saxophone Trios
    • Trumpet >
      • Trumpet Warm-Ups
      • Trumpet Scales & Technique
      • Trumpet Music
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Horn >
      • Horn Warm Ups
      • Horn Scales & Technique
      • Horn Duets
      • Horn Trios
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Trombone >
      • Trombone Warm Ups
      • Trombone Scales & Technique
      • Trombone Duets
      • Trombone Trios
      • Trombone Ensembles
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Euphonium >
      • Euphonium Warm-Ups
      • Euphonium Scales & Technique
      • Euphonium Duets
      • Euphonium Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Tuba >
      • Tuba Warm-Ups
      • Tuba Scales & Technique
      • Tuba Music
      • Brass Quintet
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Ensemble Theory
    • Warm-ups >
      • First Fundamentals
      • Foundation Warm-Ups
      • Framework Fundamentals
      • Young Ensemble
      • Symphonic Warm-Ups
      • Comprehensive Warm-Ups
      • Advanced Warm-Ups
      • Build A Warm-Up
      • Chorales
      • Seasonal
      • Haunted
    • Warm-Ups Symphony
    • Fundamentals >
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation Toolbox
    • Scales and Technique >
      • Crush Your Scales
    • Rhythm
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Breathing
    • Jazz Center >
      • Jazz Basics
    • Improvisation
    • Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Posters
    • Free Christmas
  • Bonus Content
    • Cinematic Warm-Ups Sets
    • Seasonal Warm-Ups
    • Cinematic Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Arbans
    • Pop Rhythms
    • Classical Improv
    • LoFi
    • Music Humor
  • Contact