Swingin' Fiddles: Score
American Fiddle Tune / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PR-0000713
$7.00
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Description
Get ready for foot-stomping fun with this authentic Western swing fiddling arrangement that includes strong bass parts, written out solos and high-flying fiddle parts. Drumset and piano parts are provided. This piece will thrill your orchestra and audience alike.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Swingin' Fiddles: Score 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 Alternatives
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
148
SKU:
00-PR-0000713
More about this title
About the Composer: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has shaped string education through four decades of composing, teaching, and conducting. A prolific author and composer with over 200 published works, he developed innovative approaches to large-group pedagogy and brought eclectic musical styles into the string classroom through landmark series including Jazz Philharmonic, Rock Philharmonic, Mariachi Philharmonic, and Latin Philharmonic.
For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model, directing ensembles that performed at the Midwest Clinic, state and national conferences, and multiple performances at the White House. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, served as resident conductor for the Wintergrass Festival in Seattle, and has guest conducted all-state orchestras across the United States. His instructional work continues through his String Clinics to Go videos, which are used by thousands of teachers nationwide.
Why we love this
Phillips brings authentic Western swing energy to the string orchestra without sacrificing musical substance. The inclusion of written-out solos and strong bass writing gives every section a moment to shine, while the foot-stomping rhythmic drive keeps rehearsals engaging and performances memorable for audiences who might not otherwise connect with string music.
What to expect
Swingin' Fiddles captures the infectious energy of a Western dance hall, complete with foot-stomping rhythms and soaring fiddle melodies that suggest wide-open spaces and joyful community gathering. The arrangement balances accessibility with authentic stylistic flavor, making students feel like they're playing something real rather than a simplified approximation.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 3 level seeking repertoire that builds enthusiasm while maintaining musical integrity. Directors looking to program something that appeals to family audiences and demonstrates how strings can engage with American vernacular styles.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section early. Get your bass and piano parts steady first; they anchor the swing feel that makes this piece groove.
- Shape the fiddle solos with clear articulation and vibrato control. These written-out passages need to sing even when the style pulls toward folk idiom.
- Balance the drumset carefully in rehearsal. It should enhance the swing pocket without overwhelming the strings or muddying ensemble clarity.
- Encourage your fiddlers to listen to authentic Western swing recordings (Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys) to internalize the rhythmic subtleties and ornamentation that make the style authentic.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a concert closer or as part of a program exploring American musical traditions. Pair it with other eclectic-style pieces to show the range of string repertoire beyond classical concertos, or program it on a spring pops concert where the lighter mood and interactive energy shine.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythms and syncopated phrasing
- Articulation control in a folk/vernacular style
- Ensemble balance with mixed instrumentation (strings, piano, drums)
- Listening to and performing written-out solos
- Bass line independence and rhythmic foundation