Has anyone ever played this piece before? Or any of the Planets pieces? I`m not sure who wrote them, but this one is grade 6 and is very difficult because the solo clarinet has to reach the high A while playing sixteenth notes.

The Planets was written by Gustav Holst just before and during world war 1. I`ve played a wind ensemble transcription of the orchestral version which was horrendously difficult as the clarinet parts were all string transcriptions (and the string parts are very difficult in these pieces). What clarinet part are you looking at? The orchestral excerpts? They`re spectacular pieces - particularly Mars because of its horrifying depiction of war. My favourite is Saturn because of the bass line plodding like an old man.

Mars is a good piece. I have to play the solo clariet piece. It`s cool sounding but very difficult to play! The even scarier thing is that we`re taking it to State!

OMG. i played this piece about 3 months ag, and i abbsolutly HATED IT!!!!!!!!!!!I cant really help wiht the solo lne, and your alot younger than me, so i really cant help........... all i can say is taht when you practice, slow the piece dow, and go from there

Yeah, I`ve done that Jackie. Though, thanks for the advice!