The Sailor's Hornpipe: 2nd Violin
With a Yo Heave Ho
Traditional English Fiddle Tune / arr. Sandra Dackow
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0017307_VN2
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Description
Get ready to stamp your feet for fearless fun in this great piece for younger players. Everyone gets the line and each section can play fearlessly and with a sense of fun. Towards the end, don't be surprised if there is a quote from Tchaikovsky and a whiff of Brandenburg---it's all in the spirit of a good time! "The Sailor's Hornpipe," arranged by Sandra Dackow, is familiar to many listeners through its opening words, "With a yo heave ho---and a slap upon the knee," and it is easy to imagine foot stomps and slaps upon the knees of sailors accompanying their singing. This classic hornpipe will help your students with dexterity, playing in the lower half of the bow, and bow lifts! (2:25)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Sailor's Hornpipe: 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:
Orchestra Expressions
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
148
SKU:
00-PC-0017307_VN2
More about this title
About the Arranger: Sandra Dackow
Sandra Dackow has established herself as a composer and arranger whose work consistently serves the needs of developing orchestras. Her arrangements prioritize accessible orchestration without sacrificing musical integrity, making standard repertoire engaging and playable for younger ensembles.
Dackow's contributions to string orchestra literature, particularly through the Orchestra Expressions series, reflect her deep understanding of how students learn through performance. Her arrangements balance technical challenge with genuine musicality, allowing players to experience the satisfaction of bringing a complete musical idea to life.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures everything that makes a hornpipe such a rewarding experience for young players: clear melodic lines that sit well in each section, straightforward rhythms that build confidence, and genuine fun embedded in every measure. The clever references to Tchaikovsky and Bach keep adult musicians and informed listeners smiling, while the pedal-to-the-metal energy of the piece means even hesitant students get swept up in the momentum. For a Grade 2 group, this is the kind of piece that reminds everyone why they joined orchestra in the first place.
What to expect
A rousing maritime celebration with infectious rhythm and unmistakable personality. You can practically hear the sailors' voices and feel the deck swaying beneath your feet as the orchestra brings this folk tune to vivid, energetic life.
Who it's for
Grade 2 string orchestras ready for a piece that combines genuine technical work with unambiguous joy. This works equally well for ensembles preparing for contests or festivals and those simply looking for a concert closer that leaves audiences smiling.
How to get the most out of it
- Work on controlled bow lifts in the faster passages before bringing the piece to tempo. Clean articulation here prevents sloppy articulations from becoming a habit.
- Give special attention to dynamics in the lower half of the bow. Many young players feel less in control there, so isolate those passages and build confidence through slow practice.
- Balance the melody across sections as it moves. The folk tune is robust enough to carry the story; resist the urge to let the first violins overwhelm the rest of the orchestra.
- Let the foot-stomp and knee-slap energy be contagious. The piece works best when everyone buys into the spirit of physical engagement with the music.
How to use it
Program this as a concert finale to leave your audience in high spirits, or use it as a festival selection that showcases your orchestra's growing confidence and ensemble awareness. The piece is short enough (2:25) to fit comfortably into any program while making an outsized impression.
Skills your students will build
- Control and precision in bow lifts across rhythmically active passages
- Playing with confidence and projection in the lower half of the bow
- Bow dexterity in technical sixteenth-note figures
- Balancing independent melodic lines across multiple sections
- Playing with rhythmic precision in a fast tempo