Steve!!..whirleybird.

[mitch]

Hi, One for Steve I think or anyone else who knows this tune.

The piece is Whirleybird and it's in the 0-1 Upgrade. My pupil wants to play it for her Prep Test as she loves it. The trouble is, I am at a loss where to put the expression and phrasing in to make it sound more interesting.

At the beginning, I'm trying to do an intro 2 bar phrase, followed by 2 lighter and quieter 1 bar phrases and sort of following in that sort of thing. But then I get stuck on line 3 and really not sure whether to up it or down it dynamic wise at the end.

Any better versions of my pitiful attempts greatly received.

[jod]

I don't personally know it as my pupil working through up-grade 0-1 has not actually done this piece so far. I see her on 3/11/06. I'll let her book have an accident with my flat bed scanner, and let you know my results.

[mitch]

jod said:

I don't personally know it as my pupil working through up-grade 0-1 has not actually done this piece so far. I see her on 3/11/06. I'll let her book have an accident with my flat bed scanner, and let you know my results.

Ah well...accidents do happen!

Thanks jod!

[jod]

miochy said:

jod said:

I don't personally know it as my pupil working through up-grade 0-1 has not actually done this piece so far. I see her on 3/11/06. I'll let her book have an accident with my flat bed scanner, and let you know my results.

Ah well...accidents do happen!

Thanks jod!

It's for study purposes, and of coure i'll shred it afterwards!

[Steve Hopwood]

Ahhh, Whirleybird. Absolutely adored by every kid who uses this book.

Why? Because it is the easiest piece in the book ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Here is what I get the kids to do:
Line 1: Soft and crescendo all along the line. Making the staccato crotchets in bars 3 & 4 light within the context of the cresc is good for them.
Line 2: diminuendo.
Line 3: 2 bars mf folowed by 2 bars p - our old friend the echo ;D
Line 4: 2 bar cresc and 2 bar dim.

All pretty basic stuff, but good lessons in coordination, listening and phrase-shaping.

As a general rule, I ignore PW's dynamic markings. Her love of mp and mf gives insufficient space for dynamic contrast.

Next time you get stuck, Mitch, bear this in mind. Playing 'expressively' is a simple matter at the most basic level. We are either getting louder or softer. Most phrases are 4 bars (often consisting of a two bar unit followed by 2 x 1 bar units as in this piece). The easiest way to show a 4 bar phrase is with a 2 bar cresc followed by a 2 bar dim, or vice-versa.

[mitch]

Thanks so much for that Steve. It makes perfect sense, and thanks for the info about expression generally.

This stuff is all so important to me, with me being a newbie teacher.

[caz]

stevehopwood said:

As a general rule, I ignore PW's dynamic markings. Her love of mp and mf gives insufficient space for dynamic contrast.

As a general rule I ignore a fair few of PW's notes as well - she could just do with a little bit of compositional help sometimes...

[fauxbourdons]

caz said:

stevehopwood said:

As a general rule, I ignore PW's dynamic markings. Her love of mp and mf gives insufficient space for dynamic contrast.

As a general rule I ignore a fair few of PW's notes as well - she could just do with a little bit of compositional help sometimes...

as opposed to grammatical or syntactical help?

[caz]

fauxbourdons said:

caz said:

As a general rule I ignore a fair few of PW's notes as well - she could just do with a little bit of compositional help sometimes...

as opposed to grammatical or syntactical help?

as opposed to help with getting a life?

[mitch]

Poor old PW. ;D

At least Whirleybird sounds more interesting now. Thanks Steve.
And it's good to know I wasn't the only one who thinks her dynamics are not too clever.
Now I can take those pieces apart and have some fun.
Whirleybird 's gonna be whirling into oblivion.