Jolly Roger

Description

Tenor, Bass, Piano — Prepare to embark on a swashbuckling musical journey with Jolly Roger: A Pirate Anthem, a spirited composition tailor-made for the developing male voice. An engaging text and energetic melody help the singer develop as a solo performer while exploring concepts of storytelling, dynamics, and tempo. Moreover, Jolly Roger sits comfortably in any voice, and offers alternative notes for singers with limited range. Set sail for adventure and musical prowess with this delightful composition!Background "A Ballad of John Silver" comes from the 1916 publication Salt-Water Poems and Ballads, a collection of poems by the British poet John Masefield. The poem in turn references Long John Silver, a fictional character from the book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, and the non-fictional rise and decline of piracy during the 18th century.Performance Notes The majority of the story is told within the verses of the song. For this reason, it is very important to clearly and intentionally convey the text. When learning the text, I would advise to first chant in rhythm, evoking the steady beat of a work song or fists pounding on the table in revelry. When singing, stress that volume comes from a matching, resonant tone. The initial dynamic of mezzoforte should be set by the volume at which the group can produce a controlled, quietly intense sound.All cue notes are optional alternative notes to accommodate range. Where they are present in both parts - such as measure 4 - I recommend utilizing both rather than only the tenor or only the bass.The 8th rests in mm. 4, 6, 8, etc are there to show a necessary lull in sound, but not necessarily an opportunity for breath. For example, the lyric "ra-kish" should taper off to a hushed sound in the second syllable with space for the "sh" to be gently articulated. VocabularySchooner-rigged: References an advanced type of ship or sail configuration at the time, suggesting a fast, maneuverable craft capable of overtaking other shipsRakish: Appearing dashing or jaunty, in a disreputable wayJolly Roger: The black flag with white skull and crossbones flown by pirates; meant to tell other ships to surrender or prepare for attackCutlass: A short, curved sword with a single edge used by piratesScuttle: to disable and damage a ship to the point of sinking

Preview Pages