Bass Clef Duets is a project that I (Zach Collins) started in the summer of 2015 that it allows musicians to play duets at any time even if they don't have sheet music or a friend to play with. All that is needed is an instrument and a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection. The duets have been recorded and uploaded to YouTube. The audio of each part is panned completely to one side (1st part to the right, 2nd part to the left). In order to play this as a duet you wear earbuds or headphones and listen only to the side that is playing the part that you aren't. For practice purposes you could listen to the side that is playing your part in case you aren't sure of your accuracy. The music notation will scroll across the screen at the same rate as the recording. In case you don't like reading off of a screen, or if you would just like to play duets the traditional way, you can download PDFs of each duet by clicking the "Download PDF" link next to each title. The duets are written so that the 1st part is playable on tenor trombone, euphonium, bassoon, F tuba, or Eb tuba and the 2nd part works well for CC or BBb tuba or bass trombone.
Easy Duet No. 1 is comprised primarily of half notes and quarter notes and moves either stepwise or with easy motion. This duet can serve as a first duet for young musicians.
Duet No. 1 is a mostly bouncy tune. In the first half the two parts generally have the same rhythmic idea. In the middle section the two parts create a 6/8 type of feel. The original tune returns to conclude the duet.
Easy Duet No. 2 is is primarily comprised of half notes and quarter notes. The two parts are more independent than Easy Duet No. 1.
Intermediate Duet No. 2 is a lyrical duet. Both parts get a chance at being the lead instrument.
Easy Duet No. 3 introduces dotted quarter notes to the series. There are a few instances of rhythmic independence between the two duet parts and dynamics change more often than the first two Easy Duets. Easy Duet No. 3 features primarily conjunct motion.
Intermediate Duet No. 3 features modal shifts. It can't quite decide if it is in G Major or G Minor. The duet is in two parts. The first half is primarily chordal with chord changes happening every half note. The second half changes to a bouncy tune in 3/4 that trades off between both parts. The second half also modulates to Ab Major to finish off the duet.
Easy​ Duet No. 4 is a bit longer than previous Easy Duets. Both parts are rhymically busier than the first three Easy Duets.
Intermediate​ Duet No. 4 is a lyrical and legato duet that is primarily scalar with just a few arpeggiated leaps.
Easy Duet No. 5 is lyrical and will encourage the performer to make long phrases and constantly shape with dynamics.
Intermediate Duet No. 5 is a canon.
Easy Duet has two contrasting sections: a lyrical G minor section and a bouncy section that moves to Bb Major.
Intermediate Duet No. 6 is a bouncy tune that features many arpeggiated figures.
Intermediate Duet No. 7 has a bit of a rock feel to it. It is mostly in Bb minor, but does feature some slight chromaticism.
Intermediate Duet No. 8 is one of the easier of the set so far. It features primarily note-against-note counterpoint. The middle section moves to D minor, but returns to Bb major to close out.
Intermediate Duet No. 9 feels a bit like a polka. There are a lot of arpeggiated figures and large leaps.
Intermediate Duet No. 10 should be is always divided 3+2, but should really only have an emphasis on the first note of each bar. Play this smoothly.