Bowin' The Blues: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Thomas May
Grade: 1
Item: 35-PK00251110
$40.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Bowin' The Blues - Full Score | $7.50 | |
| Bowin' The Blues - Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| Bowin' The Blues - Violin 2 | $7.00 | |
| Bowin' The Blues - Viola | $7.00 | |
| Bowin' The Blues - Cello | $7.00 | |
| Bowin' The Blues - Bass | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Great fun for all with this blues tune that effectively introduces the difference between F-sharp and F-natural for violins and violas, and C-sharp and C natural for all instruments. Let your group jam their hearts out on this great ensemble teaching piece. Dur: 1:15
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00251110
More about this title
About the Artist: Thomas May
Thomas May has established himself as a composer of accessible, pedagogically sound works for young musicians. His arrangements and original compositions prioritize clarity of musical concept while maintaining genuine artistic merit, making him a trusted voice for educators building foundational ensemble skills.
Why we love this
This piece tackles a real intonation challenge head on without feeling like a drill. The blues idiom gives students permission to loosen up and have fun while your section leaders lock in the accidentals that trip them up most often. It's the rare teaching piece that actually sounds like something worth playing.
What to expect
Relaxed and playful. The blues form invites a conversational quality where students can breathe as an ensemble and feel the groove rather than count relentlessly. There's a built in permission structure to sound loose and soulful, not stiff.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras ready to move beyond open strings and first position exercises, especially ensembles that need to build intonation awareness without sacrificing musical enjoyment. This works equally well for upper elementary groups with a few years of instruction and younger middle school beginners.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate measures where the F-sharp and F-natural switch occurs in violin and viola parts. Have each section play their specific notes separately before combining, making the contrast audible and intentional rather than accidental.
- Establish a steady groove in your rhythm section first. A confident bass line and steady chord foundation give soloists the confidence to take liberties with the blues phrasing.
- Encourage your first violins to lead with a loose, conversational tone. Blues vocabulary thrives on space and swing feel, not rhythmic rigidity.
- Mark the accidentals clearly in all parts before the first read-through. Color coding sharps that fall outside the key signature helps younger players catch them visually.
How to use it
Perfect as a pops concert opener or an early ensemble piece on a full orchestra program where it serves as both entertainment and skill builder. Save it for the moment when your group has the confidence to play with some swagger but still needs structural guardrails.
Skills your students will build
- Intonation control of accidentals (F-sharp and F-natural in violin/viola; C-sharp and C-natural across all instruments)
- Blues form and harmonic structure (12-bar blues)
- Ensemble blend and groove playing
- Reading and responding to articulation within a relaxed style
- Section independence in a functional harmonic framework