Why?
The best way to develop as a musician is to listen to other great musicians, especially those who play your instrument. One can only play one's instrument as well as one can imagine it played. While students do learn from each other during lessons and rehearsals, it is important that they hear exemplars on their instruments. The rest of this page gives suggestions of where to get recordings, and which ones to seek out.
Free Recordings
The public library is a great resource for recorded music. You can browse the Libertyville Public Library online, or in person. There are also many musicians who place sample recordings of themselves and/or their ensembles online. Typing a simple Google Search for "Clarinet Sound Sample" brings up several sites with recordings you can listen to (usually just short snippets) for free. There are several links to websites containing free recordings in our LINKS section.
iTunes
Online music stores such as iTunes have become a great resource for musicians. While iTunes recordings are not free, they are very inexpensive. Most songs are only 99 cents. A search for "Clarinet" on iTunes brings up 150 hits. You can listen to 30 seconds worth of each song for free, or purchase most of them for 99 cents.
Bands
There are many wonderful band recordings available. Below are a few suggestions. Other recordings by these ensembles are also terrific.
| Name of Band |
Name of Recording |
CD Info. |
| Eastman Wind Ensemble |
Live in OSAKA |
SONY Classics
SK 47198 |
| Dallas Wind Symphony |
Fiesta! |
Reference Recordings
RR-38CD |
Individual Instruments
There are many wonderful solo recordings available. Below are a few suggestions. Other recordings by these soloists are also terrific.
| Inst.
| Soloist
| Name of Recording
| CD Info.
|
| Flute |
James Galway |
Galway Plays Bach |
RCA
6517-2-RG |
| Flute |
Jean-Pierre Rampal |
J.S. Bach Sonates Pour Flute |
ERATO
D 103123 |
| Trumpet |
Maurice Andre |
Trumpet Masterpieces |
Deutsche Grammophone
D 203919 |
|
| Trumpet |
Wynton Marsalis |
Carnaval |
CBS Records Masterworks
MK 42137 |
| Trumpet |
Rolf Smedvig |
Trumpet Concertos |
Telarc
CD-80232 |
| French Horn |
Eric Ruske |
Mozart Horn Concerti |
Telarc
CD-80367 |
| French Horn |
Gail Williams |
20th Century Settings |
Summit Records
DCD 139 |
| Trombone |
Joseph Alessi |
Slide Area |
Summit Records
DCD 130 |
| Baritone |
Childs Brothers |
Childs Play |
Doyen
DOY CD 001 |
| Tuba |
Daniel Perantoni |
Daniel in the Lions Den |
Summit Records
DCD 163 |
Chamber Ensembles
There are many wonderful chamber music recordings available. Below are a few suggestions. Other recordings by these groups are also terrific.
| Ensemble Type
| Ensemble Name
| Name of Recording
| CD Info.
|
| Brass Quintet |
Empire Brass |
Class Brass |
Telac
CD-80220 |
| Trombone Quartet |
Four of a Kind |
Music for Trombone Quartet |
Summit Records
DCD 123 |
| Tuba Quartet |
The British Tuba Quartet |
In at the Deep End |
Heavyweight Records
HR008/D |
Jazz Greats
There are many wonderful jazz music recordings available. Below are a few suggestions. Other recordings by these jazz legends are also terrific.
| Inst.
| Jazzer
| Name of Recording
| CD Info.
|
| Alto Sax |
Cannonball Adderly |
The Definitive Cannonball Adderly |
Verve - Blue Note
7243 5 40040 2 5 |
| Tenor Sax |
John Coltrane |
A Love Supreme |
impulse
GRD-155 |
| Bari Sax |
Gerry Mulligan |
The Art of Gerry Mulligan |
Telarc Jazz
CD-83517 |
| Trumpet |
Louis Armstrong |
The Essential Louis Armstrong |
Verve
D100901 |
| Trumpet |
Miles Davis |
Miles Smiles |
Columbia
CK 48849 |
| Trumpet |
Miles Davis |
Kind of Blue |
Columbia
CK 40579 |
| Trombone |
J.J. Johnson |
Proof Positive |
impulse
GRD-145 |
| Tuba |
Sam Pilafian |
Travelin' Light |
Telarc
CD-80281 |
| Guitar |
Toots Thielmans |
Jazz Masters 59 - Toots Thielmans |
Verve
314 535 271-2 |
| Swing Style Jazz |
Duke Ellington |
Hot Summer Dance |
SONY - Red Barron
AK 48631 |
| Latin Style Jazz |
Bill Cunliffe |
Imaginacion |
Torii Records
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