String Shredder

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piano — This piece was written to evoke a rock style, including non-traditional playing techniques to represent the electric guitar and drumset. The glissando in m. 8 and elsewhere should approximate the continuous, downward gliss. used by electric guitarists. The "chop" called for beginning in m. 1 should sound similar to thoseplayed by Darol Anger and other artists playing in percussive crossover styles. Though Anger plays chops with a sideways wrist movement, the chop here has been simplified as a down bow near the frog while muting strings with the left hand for young players. The sound should approximate the back beat (snare drum on beats 2 and 4) prevalent in rock and other popular styles. Darol Angerdemonstrates this technique in his instructional DVD Chops and Grooves: Rhythmic Explorations for Bowed Strings (through Homespun Video) and there are also clips on YouTube. Be sure to perform foot stomps, yells, and other non-traditional techniques loudly enough so they can be heard clearly to bring out convincing rock instrument effects. This piece will have your budding orchestra shredding! It contains rock-like grooves with easy extended techniques, like chops, to make this piece exciting to play. It will get performers and audiences dancing!

Preview Pages