In A Year of Folk Tunes, September’s key of the month is A Flat Major and F Minor.

I wrote four rounds to help navigate this key. Everyone who played them, got a lot better at the hand positions required for A Flat Major and F Minor.

The rounds have one part doubled so they would be playable with only two parts. In score form, each tune also has an optional piano part for extra rehearsal. As you can see from the titles, I chose a fall theme for these tunes.

Bobbing for Apples has a lyrical section and a section working with staccato octaves. Both voices begin at the same time, then change styles part way through.

Sunflower Harvest is in A Flat Major. The violins and violas begin this round. It is a terrific intonation study.

In the Grape Arbor also begins with the violins and violas. It drills scale patterns and octave leaps.

Corn Maze is in F Minor and 3/4 time. The cello part opens this round. It ends with a false harmonic in the upper strings.

Digital sheet music is available.
Bobbing for Apples for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
Sunflower Harves for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
In the Grape Arbor for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
Corn Maze for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano

Listen to the canons here.
Bobbing for Apples
Sunflower Harvest
In the Grape Arbor
Corn Maze

Thank-you Molly for playing the viola on Bobbing for Apples and Corn Maze. Thank-you Sophie for playing the violin on Sunflower Harvest and In the Grape Arbor.

Current round count: 36