ISBN 9780825868559. 9 x 12 inches.
The My First Progressive Duets for Strings is written to be the primer for the already successful Progressive Duets, volumes 1 and 2. Just like those books, the My First Progressive Duets are designed to be compatible with all string instruments and can be played by any combination of two string instruments. These duets start out at a beginning level and then progress slowly to the level of volume 1. They are perfect for younger students who are just getting started on their instruments. This collection completes the series, giving teachers and students a wealth of opportunities to build ensemble skills.
Throughout the long history of string-instrument instruction, teachers have discovered the tremendous benefit of encouraging students to play in chamber-music groups. The simplest form of chamber music is the duet. Duets provide students with the opportunity to study music that can be played with other students or with their teacher. At the same time they are developing the ensemble skills required for duet performance, students can also be working on technique, intonation, and tone quality. In addition, duets are an excellent form of music for practicing sightreading skills. Classical composers wrote a tremendous volume of chamber music that was probably used for evening gatherings of friends and musicians. String literature and study material are rich in duets written by the great composers and master teachers of the last two-hundred years. In recent years, teachers and arrangers have compiled collections of these duets in an effort to make a varied selection of music available to students. This collection of duets for beginning string students has arrangements of folk songs, traditional childrenas songs and newly composed music. The duets are placed in the book in order of difficulty and cover basic keys, time signatures and rhythms. Special care was taken to make sure that both of the duet parts are on a similar ability level. Also, all musical markings are attached to both systems and the point size of the music was considered for ease of reading. It was a pleasure for us to have the opportunity to put together this collection. We hope it will help to stimulate and enhance the musicianship of beginning string students and will provide enjoyment in their lessons and practicing.
