4th Grade: As the year progresses, some students seek more challenging music while others would benefit from simpler music. The time seems right in 4th grade to present music with different levels of complexity to allow students to progress gracefully at their different levels. I have passed out a copy of Bile 'em Cabbage Down to 4th graders. This has three parts: 1) the tune, which is relatively easy, all on the D string (and has lyrics that can be sung above); 2) the break, which is relatively difficult; and 3) a back-up part, which looks difficult but is not so hard once you get used to it. There are still more options. A) For students really struggling with the notes, playing an open A or D string in rhythm will still help the song along (that is, no reason to sit out this song); B) For students seeking more challenge, they can work on improvisation with their teachers. If this works well, I will procure books (no new charges to parents). I might still pass out one song at a time--the books have not in general held up well in 4th grade, and a number of students do not seem to know where their books are.
For teachers who know bluegrass--please note that some of the traditional fiddle tunes have been dropped a 5th to make it easier for cellos and basses.
We will still work on Jingle Bells and Mozart Serenade for a bit more.
5th Grade: We are blessed to have 3 cellos and 3 basses in our ensemble, and the time seems right to seek music that allows each instrument to sing in its own voice: that is, rather than the unison music we have been playing, I am seeking music with different bass, cello, and violin parts. In the short term, we will also work on Bile 'em Cabbage Down in D, with the idea that perhaps grades 4 and 5 can perform together in the future. See above for my description of parts. This also has the tune, which is easy for students who are struggling, and breaks and backups for students seeking more challenge, as well as a bass line that sounds like a bass line. Teachers are encouraged to help their students improvise as well (please note that we are playing the song in D, not A). I am passing out the music today.
6th to 8th Grade: No instruments needed Thursday--students will be auditioning for Man of La Mancha during our strings class time. We will continue refining Vive La France, Hymn of Praise, and Rigadoun for a future performance. We have begun reading through more of our Jazz Philharmonic book--at present, it seems this book works best as an occasional rhythmic exercise for in class and likely won't be something we perform from.
For teachers who know bluegrass--please note that some of the traditional fiddle tunes have been dropped a 5th to make it easier for cellos and basses.
We will still work on Jingle Bells and Mozart Serenade for a bit more.
5th Grade: We are blessed to have 3 cellos and 3 basses in our ensemble, and the time seems right to seek music that allows each instrument to sing in its own voice: that is, rather than the unison music we have been playing, I am seeking music with different bass, cello, and violin parts. In the short term, we will also work on Bile 'em Cabbage Down in D, with the idea that perhaps grades 4 and 5 can perform together in the future. See above for my description of parts. This also has the tune, which is easy for students who are struggling, and breaks and backups for students seeking more challenge, as well as a bass line that sounds like a bass line. Teachers are encouraged to help their students improvise as well (please note that we are playing the song in D, not A). I am passing out the music today.
6th to 8th Grade: No instruments needed Thursday--students will be auditioning for Man of La Mancha during our strings class time. We will continue refining Vive La France, Hymn of Praise, and Rigadoun for a future performance. We have begun reading through more of our Jazz Philharmonic book--at present, it seems this book works best as an occasional rhythmic exercise for in class and likely won't be something we perform from.
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