Last Christmas - Sheet Music for Clarinet in B-flat Wham!

"Last Christmas" on the clarinet – it instantly conjures up Christmas Eve. These clarinet parts in B♭ are aimed at players with approximately two or more years of lessons. They are part of the playbackNOTEN series, which is ensemble-compatible across 14 instruments.

Sheet Music "Last Christmas" – Melancholic Christmas Pop for Clarinet in B♭

Wham! wrote "Last Christmas" as one of the most recognizable Christmas songs ever recorded. George Michael penned the piece, and its lyrics revolve around a lost love – someone gives away their heart, only to have it returned the very next day. It's that bittersweet lightness that makes the song so unforgettable: it sounds festive and reflective at the same time. The single was released in 1984 and has not missed a single winter since.

On the clarinet, the melody takes on a particularly warm, singing quality. The sheet music is presented in playing notation – as a transposing instrument, the B♭ clarinet sounds a major second lower than written. The melodic line spans just over an octave and a half, centered primarily in the middle register. Consistently diatonic throughout – with no modulations to foreign keys – the harmony remains clear and straightforward. The easy difficulty rating is realistic: the melody moves in steps rather than large leaps, and the key of F major sits idiomatically well for the clarinet. The piece works equally well for Christmas ensemble performances or as a solo with playback accompaniment.

• Range: B♭ to D'' (1.5 octaves)

The many short slurs are the heart of this part – every phrase should sing, not punch. This is about genuine legato: the tone carries across the full length of each slur, without individual notes being accented by tonguing. Players who observe the slur markings cleanly from the start will quickly notice how the melody begins to flow on its own. A tried-and-true approach: work through phrases at a noticeably slower tempo than the target of 120 BPM – first without playback, until slurring and breath planning feel secure, then gradually increase the tempo. It's especially worth paying close attention to the longer phrases: roughly six bars run through without a break – thoughtful breath planning makes the difference between a rushed line and one that truly carries. Once the phrasing is in place, the brisk tempo tends to fall into place faster than expected.

A short demo audio preview gives you an initial impression of the arrangement – simply have a listen. If you'd like to practise or perform the piece with accompaniment: a playback track is available separately, with or without the melody. The sheet music is available for immediate download after purchase. 100% licensed – ready to perform legally, right away.

Editorially reviewed by the notendownload.com team

All Arrangements for "Last Christmas "