Today we worked on the October scales, E flat major and C minor. We also did some physical stretches for ease in playing. If you missed it, catch up with the video.
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
The sheet music for All the Pretty Little Horses is now available as a digital download. Included in A Year of Folk Tunes for Piano, the digital download version has A Flat Major warm-ups and preparatory studies to make it easier to learn the piece.
The first verse can be played with no hands together notes and could stand alone as a solo. The second verse requires hands together and extensions. In the second half, there are some right-hand sixths.
Watch and listen to the All the Pretty Little Horses piano solo. Get your own copy and start practicing it today.
The sheet music for Buffalo Gals is now available as a digital download. Included in A Year of Folk Tunes for Piano, the digital download version has D Flat Major warm-ups and preparatory studies to make it easier to learn the piece.
The first verse can be played with no hands together notes and could stand alone as a solo. The second verse requires hands together and a finger extension.
Watch and listen to the Buffalo Gals piano solo. Get your own copy and start practicing it today.
Listen on the viola.
Here is the same tune on the cello.
Buffalo Gals is the D Flat Major tune from A Year of Folk Tunes.
In the Year of Folk Tunes books, the tunes are not fingered. This allows the player to choose, which creates more integrated learning. Here is an example of a possible fingering. The focus, in this case, is to use more than one combination to become more facile across the fingerboard.
Here is a video of the tune with this fingering.
In A Year of Folk Tunes, August’s key of the month is D Flat Major and B Flat Minor. It’s not a key that shows up in a first- or second-year method book. However, when you need to be able to use it, it’s usually urgent!
I wrote four rounds to help navigate this key. Everyone who played them, got a lot better at the hand positions required for D Flat Major and B Flat 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 to visit Australia and New Zealand.
In Down Under, the cello opens this round, while the violins and violas double. It is in D Flat Major with only half notes and quarter notes in this 4/4 time canon.
Did your travels make you hungry? Let’s put some Snags on the Barbie. In B Flat Minor and 3/4 time, the violins and violas begin this round. Count your quarter rests carefully!
Chuck on your Gumboots is back in D Flat Major. Watch your step! 5/4 time gives you time to sight see.
In 4/4 time, Out in the Bush begins with the upper strings. It is fairly straightforward, but challenging for the cellos.
Sheet music for the rounds is available as a digital download.
Down Under for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
Snags on the Barbie for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
Chuck on your Gumboots for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
Out in the Bush for Violin, Viola, Cello and Optional Piano
Listen to the canons here.
Down Under
Snags on the Barbie
Chuck on Your Gumboots
Out in the Bush
Thank-you Molly for playing the viola part in the videos.
Current round count: 32
On Wednesday we had a long play by ear session in D Flat. Then there was a quick review of Buffalo Gals from A Year of Folk Tunes. If you missed it, catch up with the video.
12/8/12 and 12/21/12
Miriam Troxler 