The Art of Expressive Playing

SKU: FJ.P2032

UPC: 241444408438. English.

Left-hand broken chords create a warm harmonic texture in this reflective piece. Section A is in A minor in 3/4 time while the contrasting Section B is in A major in 4/4 time with both hands playing thick, sonorous chords. It calls for expressive playing, legato pedaling, and voicing an expressive, cantabile melody.

SKU: CF.YAS211

ISBN 9781491160459. UPC: 680160919048.

This Grade 2 original work was inspired by the tender poem of the same name by Sara Teasdale. Gentle phrases capture the wistful hope the poet felt as she contemplated the steadfast stars that burn steadily as long ago even as the world changed below. The lyrical melody provides developing players opportunities to work on tone, slurs, and expressive playing with one easy key change from D major to G major. A shift from major to minor tonality reflects the bittersweet stanzas that lament the loss of youthful dreams amidst the turmoil of life, even while admiring the faithful beauty of the celestial constellations. The dreamy piece evokes images of shimmering stars in the cold December night, with shadows shaken on the snow, offering a tranquil winter concert selection.
This Grade 2 original work was inspired by the tender poem of the same name by Sara Teasdale. Gentle phrases capture the wistful hope the poet felt as she contemplated the steadfast stars that “burn steadily as long ago” even as the world changed below. The lyrical melody provides developing players opportunities to work on tone, slurs, and expressive playing with one easy key change from D major to G major. A shift from major to minor tonality reflects the bittersweet stanzas that lament the loss of youthful dreams amidst the turmoil of life, even while admiring the “faithful beauty” of the celestial constellations. The dreamy piece evokes images of shimmering stars in the cold December night, with “shadows shaken on the snow”, offering a tranquil winter concert selection.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels

SKU: CF.YAS211F

ISBN 9781491160718. UPC: 680160919314.

This grade 2 original work was inspired by the tender poem of the same name by Sara Teasdale. Gentle phrases capture the wistful hope the poet felt as she contemplated the steadfast stars that burn steadily as long ago even as the world changed below. The lyrical melody provides developing players opportunities to work on tone, slurs, and expressive playing with one easy key change from D major to G major. A shift from major to minor tonality reflects the bittersweet stanzas that lament the loss of youthful dreams amidst the turmoil of life, even while admiring the faithful beauty of the celestial constellations. The dreamy piece evokes images of shimmering stars in the cold December night, with shadows shaken on the snow, offering a tranquil winter concert selection.
This grade 2 original work was inspired by the tender poem of the same name by Sara Teasdale. Gentle phrases capture the wistful hope the poet felt as she contemplated the steadfast stars that “burn steadily as long ago” even as the world changed below. The lyrical melody provides developing players opportunities to work on tone, slurs, and expressive playing with one easy key change from D major to G major. A shift from major to minor tonality reflects the bittersweet stanzas that lament the loss of youthful dreams amidst the turmoil of life, even while admiring the “faithful beauty” of the celestial constellations. The dreamy piece evokes images of shimmering stars in the cold December night, with “shadows shaken on the snow,” offering a tranquil winter concert selection.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels

SKU: CF.O88X

ISBN 9781491153406. UPC: 680160910908. 9 X 12 inches.

These studies are a staple of the advanced trumpet method repertoire. Each etude is an exploration of a wide variety of registers, articulations and tonalities. While going through these 36 etudes the trumpeter will develop an even sound in all registers while tackling the musical and melodic challenges that lie within.
IntroductionTi ps on Musical PracticeStarting a new study can be overwhelming. Using Etude No. 1, here’s an example of how to approach working on these etudes with both musicality and technique in mind.Bousquet’s first study can be broken down into three large musical sections:Section 1: from the beginning to the downbeat of m. 26.Section 2: from the upbeat of 2 in m. 26 to the downbeat of m. 51.Section 3: from the downbeat of m. 51 to the end.Each one of those sections can be broken down into two smaller sections:Section 1a: from the beginning to the downbeat of m. 16.Section 1b: from the downbeat of m. 16 to the downbeat of m. 26.Section 2a: from the upbeat of 2 in m. 26 to the end of m. 35.Section 2b: from m. 36 to the downbeat of m. 51.Section 3a: from the downbeat of m. 51 to the downbeat of m. 59.Section 3b: from the downbeat of m. 59 to the end.To get started playing, choose a slow tempo that allows you to play Section 1 all the way through without stopping. If that is problematic, just play through 1a.Remember to focus on the music. Section 1a is light, moving in four-measure phrases to the ninth measure, where it cadences in G. From there, retain the lightness through the arpeggiation that concludes with the trill that brings an arrival point at Section 1b. Here the style changes completely, alternating two measures of fluid, connected sixteenth notes with two measures of scalar staccato sixteenths before finally cadencing on the downbeat of m. 26.Section 2 begins with a melodic line of eighth notes, punctuated by sixteenths in the third full measure before returning to the original line for only a measure before driving forward with a flourish to finish Section 2a. Section 2b starts back in C with four-measure phrases in which the line moves up for two measures, then down for two measures, ending in G. The last seven measures of Section 2 stay light as they work their way back to C.Section 3 is very exciting, starting with a fiery cornet solo-like passage in 3a. 3b brings the piece to a dramatic conclusion outlining C major for the first four measures before arpeggiating C major and G dominant for two measures, finally finishing with the C-major scale.The next step is to isolate any of the parts that proved troublesome. Examples could include missed notes or figuring out where to breathe. Once you have practiced the troublesome sections in isolation, play the section all the way through without stopping again. Even if there are still problems, you are now practicing in a way that is preparing you to perform musically.The next day, play through Section 1 again, at a tempo that allows you to do this without stopping. Now go on to Section 2, and follow the same three steps:Play all the way through, at a tempo that allows you to do so without stopping,Isolate and practice the troublesome passages, thenPlay all the way through, at a tempo that allows you to do so without stopping.Now play from the beginning to the end of Section 2.The next day, play Section 1. Now play Section 2. Then play Section 3 and apply the same three steps outlined above.Now play the whole study. At this point you have spent time on each section, making musical decisions and correcting mistakes. Increase the tempo as you gain confidence and control of the material. As you work towards performing the entire study as a piece of music, record yourself playing the entire study as a performance each day. Review the recordings to reveal what still needs work. Be honest with yourself! When you are happy with the recording of your performance, it’s time to move on to the next study.About the Goldman PrefaceThese studies will be an excellent practice, especially for the lower register of the Cornet, which is somewhat neglected in other instruction books. It is recommended that the pupil should practice one of this series of Studies now and then to repose his lips, and acquire facility in difficult fingering.— Edwin Franko GoldmanIn his original preface, Edwin Franko Goldman is absolutely correct that these studies are excellent practice and will help with the dexterity demanded of today’s player. Although the low register is certainly explored throughout the book, it does not appear to be the focus of these studies. There are many books available now that concentrate on the low register. The suggested fingerings have been removed. Using alternate fingerings was more common to cornet players to aid in the fluidity of a passage. This practice is not nearly as common today, especially with trumpet players, as the difference in timbre caused by the alternate fingerings is disruptive to the musical line. Published for cornet, as it was the solo instrument of choice in the 1920s, these etudes are just as useful to today’s trumpet player. When playing these studies on trumpet, the performer should strive for a fluid line while maintaining a full and clear sound. Because of the musicianship and technique demanded, this book remains as useful today as it has ever been.— Joey TartellAbout Narcisse Bousquet and the 36 EtudesNarcisse Bousquet (c. 1800–1869) was French by birth, active as a composer, editor and arranger in both France and England in the early nineteenth century. Bousquet was respected as an accomplished performer of the French flageolet, a high-pitched woodwind instrument much like a recorder, although later outfitted with the Boehm key system like the modern flute. Although obsolete in modern times, the instrument once enjoyed great popularity with a variety of composers and performers, both amateur and professional. Purcell and Handel composed for the instrument, and Berlioz was purportedly an accomplished amateur performer of the flageolet. The Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, likewise, was a proficient performer of the instrument and composed a number of pieces for it.Little is known today of Bousquet’s life. He composed a large variety of music, including works specifically for the flageolet, which were widely appreciated in their day. The 36 Etudes for flageolet are undoubtedly the most well known of his works. Published in 1851, the Etudes explore a variety of techniques, such as scales, arpeggios, ornamentation, breath control and expressive playing, and their technically demanding writing confirms Bousquet’s prowess as a flageolet performer. However, the date of the arrangement of the etudes for cornet and their arranger remain speculative. Edwin Franko Goldman is credited as the arranger of the 1890 publication by Carl Fischer, although Goldman would have been only twelve years old at the time; his work on these pieces surely came at a later time. Bousquet himself may have arranged these pieces for cornet at the request of an accomplished cornet player at some point after their publication.

SKU: CF.YPS198F

ISBN 9781491152867. UPC: 680160910366.

All the While was inspired by a very special person in Tyler Arcari's life. Director's will be happy to find many opportunities for emotional and passionate playing with plenty of fun in the middle for young bands.  All the While gives students a number of chances to work on expressive playing during the beginning and ending sections, and offers a light rhythmic middle section for contrast.
Program Notes:All the While is a bit of a personal piece for me. I was inspired to write it by a very special person in my life. It might be a young-band piece but I feel that it has the capacity for great emotion and passionate playing as well as a little fun in the middle. Sometimes it is difficult to tell people how you feel, even if you have known them for a long time. I think sometimes we say in our heads that “I have felt this way for a long time,” and all the while never being able to put it to words.About the work:The piece opens with a flute and alto saxophone duet. This melody trades off at m. 10 with the addition of new voices and harmonies building in intensity all the way to m. 28. I personally like to use extended phrases in this section, though it looks like it would just utilize four-measure phrases. I feel this adds to the momentum building in dynamic intensity. Measure 28 is a subito change beginning with a prominent Timpani solo. The following section should be played as lightly as possible to avoid a lumbering feel. In mm. 68- 70, the agogic accents should not be very heavy, but more pointed in their momentum to m. 70.Measures 70–76 should be taken with metric liberty bringing out all of the moving parts in the low brass. The low brass really adds the foundation of momentum for the rest of the band here. Measure 76 to the end, though a repetition of material from the beginning, should be played as the high point of the piece and familiar conclusion.

SKU: CF.YPS198

ISBN 9781491152188. UPC: 680160909681. Key: C minor.

All the While was inspired by a very special person in Tyler Arcari's life. Directors will be happy to find many opportunities for emotional and passionate playing with plenty of fun in the middle for young bands.  All the While gives students a number of chances to work on expressive playing during the beginning and ending sections, and offers a light rhythmic middle section for contrast.
Program Notes:All the While is a bit of a personal piece for me. I was inspired to write it by a very special person in my life. It might be a young-band piece but I feel that it has the capacity for great emotion and passionate playing as well as a little fun in the middle. Sometimes it is difficult to tell people how you feel, even if you have known them for a long time. I think sometimes we say in our heads that “I have felt this way for a long time,” and all the while never being able to put it to words.About the work:The piece opens with a flute and alto saxophone duet. This melody trades off at m. 10 with the addition of new voices and harmonies building in intensity all the way to m. 28. I personally like to use extended phrases in this section, though it looks like it would just utilize four-measure phrases. I feel this adds to the momentum building in dynamic intensity. Measure 28 is a subito change beginning with a prominent Timpani solo. The following section should be played as lightly as possible to avoid a lumbering feel. In mm. 68- 70, the agogic accents should not be very heavy, but more pointed in their momentum to m. 70.Measures 70–76 should be taken with metric liberty bringing out all of the moving parts in the low brass. The low brass really adds the foundation of momentum for the rest of the band here. Measure 76 to the end, though a repetition of material from the beginning, should be played as the high point of the piece and familiar conclusion.

SKU: CF.CAS157F

ISBN 9781491165423. UPC: 680160924332. Key: D minor.

Journey back to ancient Rome in this powerful string orchestra work depicting the strength and reach of the Roman armies through the eyes of a weathered centurion (a centurion is the equivalent of an Army captain). The work begins with a full statement of the Centurion motif in the high strings which should be played with power and strength while in the rhythmic marching element (depicting the Roman Army) in the low strings propels us forward. The lyrical sections at measures 13 through 32 in the viola and cello sections should be expressive and maintain that powerful sound first established in the violins at the beginning of the piece. From mm. 32-42, a  torrent of triplets drives toward a grander gesture of the Centurion motif in the violins and viola sections while the low strings maintain momentum and rhythmic precision. The piece continues to a more solemn restatement of the motif, a section which requires a great deal of expressive playing and vibrato, as the centurion reminisces about his accomplishments, before launching into one last battle from m. 59 to the end.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians