Mama Don't Allow: 2nd Violin
American Folk Song / arr. Renata Bratt
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0017998_VN2
$5.99
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Description
Students will really enjoy playing and singing this old-timey tune that has roots in early New Orleans-style jazz. In 1st position throughout, this piece features rhythmic syncopation. The upbeat piece with great lyrics is a complete crowd pleaser.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mama Don't Allow: 2nd Violin comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PC-0017998_VN2
More about this title
About the Arranger: Renata Bratt
Renata Bratt is a cellist, educator, and clinician who has shaped string education across multiple musical traditions. She serves on the American String Teachers Association Alternative String Styles Advisory Committee and has taught cello at schools throughout California, including Santa Cruz Waldorf Elementary and the Cabrillo Youth Strings program. Her teaching spans classical technique, jazz improvisation, and fiddling at major conferences including the Mark O'Connor String Conference, ASTA, IAJE, and numerous Suzuki institutes.
Bratt's performance credits reflect her versatility across genres. She has worked with traditional musicians including Liz Carroll and Alasdair Fraser, and recorded and toured with Cindy Lee Berryhill's Garage Orchestra, earning recognition from Rolling Stone for her contributions. She holds a Ph.D. in Music from the University of California at San Diego and has published instructional materials including The Modern Cello Method and The Fiddling Cellist. Her work consistently bridges classical training with folk, jazz, and contemporary styles.
Why we love this
Bratt's background in jazz and alternative string styles shows clearly in this arrangement. She captures the syncopated energy of early New Orleans jazz while keeping the writing accessible for young players in first position, creating something with genuine groove that doesn't sacrifice musical substance. A Grade 2 piece that actually sounds like something worth playing is rare.
What to expect
Upbeat and playful, with the relaxed swing of a tune that's been played in street parades and dance halls. The piece bounces along with infectious energy, inviting both player and audience to smile. There's a lightness here that comes from genuine folk roots rather than manufactured cheerfulness.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras and mixed ensembles with students ready for rhythmic syncopation but still developing bow control and intonation. Directors looking for repertoire that bridges folk traditions with concert performance will find this especially valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the syncopated rhythms by having students feel the underlying pulse while placing their syncopated notes slightly ahead of it; this creates the lilt that makes the piece swing rather than sound stiff.
- Balance the melody between sections so the tune stays clear when students are focused on the rhythmic complexity. Bratt's scoring distributes the main line, so coordinate handoffs carefully.
- Encourage singers and players to commit fully to the lyrics and title phrase. This piece thrives on enthusiasm and personality; a reserved performance flattens its character.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener or closer to establish a relaxed, accessible tone for your audience. It pairs well with spirituals, other folk-based arrangements, or American roots material, and works equally well on family concerts and more formal string orchestra competitions.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing rhythmic syncopation in a tonal context
- Maintaining steady pulse while playing off the beat
- Coordinating melody line hand-offs between instrumental sections
- Integration of singing and playing simultaneously
- First position intonation and bow coordination at moderate tempo