Sunrise is a round in three parts for violin, viola and cello. it is in 3/4 time and G Major. Sunset is a three-part round in 4/4 time also for violin viola and cello.
Digital sheet music is available for both rounds.
Sunrise
Sunset
Listen to the rounds here.
Sunrise
Sunset
Thank-you Sophie and Molly for playing the violin and viola parts in the videos.
Current round count: 50
Point contest begins January 1. For six weeks musical points are awarded at lessons. Each category has a first, second, and third place trophy winner. Below is a copy of the rules and a listening chart.
This year, each week will have two focus keys. Here is the schedule of keys for practicing your 5-finger positions, arpeggios and scales. Major and the relative minor can both be played in the time allowed.
Week 1:
F Major and d minor
B Flat Major and g minor
Week 2:
E Flat Major and c minor
A Flat Major and f minor
Week 3:
D Flat Major and b flat minor
F Sharp Major and d sharp minor
Week 4:
B Major and g sharp minor
E Major and c sharp minor
Week 5:
A Major and f sharp minor
D Major and b minor
Week 6:
G Major and e minor
C Major and a minor
In A Year of Folk Tunes, December’s key of the month is F Major and D Minor.
I wrote four rounds to help navigate this key. Everyone who played them, got a lot better at the hand positions required for F Major and D 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. The canons have a winter theme.
Hot Cocoa is in D minor and 4/4 time. The viola and cello parts double. Sink into restful bliss with the melody that uses only half notes and whole notes.
Ice Skating is a 3/4 round in F Major. The violin and viola parts start with the melody. The cello has the melody in the final section. Gliding and spinning across the instrument. It is fun to play. The cello part does require shifting.
Skiing dashes downhill in F Major and 4/4 time. There are lots of descending eighth note passages. The upper strings open the piece. The cello follows two measures later.
The fourth piece in this key is in 6/8 time. Snowman Serenade opens with the melody in the upper strings. The cello part has the melody line halfway through. Both melody and harmony sections are rhythmically interesting.
Digital sheet music is available here.
Hot Cocoa
Ice Skating
Skiing
Snowman Serenade
Listen to the rounds here.
Hot Cocoa
Ice Skating
Skiing
Snowman Serenade
Thank-you Sophie for playing the violin in the videos for the new pieces.
Current round count: 48
Featuring this year’s piano students, the recordings were made in August and September. October was used for editing. Watch the 12 Days of Christmas Video.
Video response to the age-old question. Listen here.
12/8/12 and 12/21/12
