Tutors: ROBYN MELLOR

Music Instructions for Robyn’s Groups: 

Greetings Group Canberra. I am looking forward to working with you all during the Technique Class. I hope you enjoy working on the music I have chosen.

Geisbert: 15 Solos by Eighteenth-century Composers for treble recorder

Please work on numbers 1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 15

Instrumentation – all pieces are written for Alto recorder

At first glance, these may seem very difficult, with lots of notes, semiquavers, high notes and “Allegro” markings. Do not panic! Do not try and spend the next three months trying to play each and every note! We will spend time in the class discussing methods of analysing the studies and developing playing techniques that will enable you to approach them without fear and play them with confidence.

Please note: The Giesbert collection can also be found in this bind up collection: https://orpheusmusic.com.au/treble/1032-the-baroque-solo-book-9781789267600.html

Ten little duets for recorders – Ross Edwards

Please work on numbers 1, 4, 6, 8, 9

We will experiment by playing these pieces on either 2 Sopranos, or 2 Tenors, so try them on both and see which you like best.

Instrumentation:

Instrument Music and Choruses from Dido and Aeneas – Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas tells tragic tale.

In the course of his travels, Aeneas stops in Carthage, where he has a passionate love affair with the recently widowed Queen Dido. Once he learns that the gods have assigned him another, more glorious fate, however, Aeneas dutifully abandons Dido, whereupon she kills herself in rage and despair.

Despite this sorrowful tale, the incidental music in the opera is charming and great fun to play.

Please work on:

• Overture to Act 1,

• 11 Chorus: Fear no danger

• 111 The Triumphing Dance

• IV Chorus: In our deep vaulted cell

Instrumentation:

Focus of Technique Classes:

Preparation:

o Posture

o Hand position

o Breath

• Attack – what are you saying

o Articulation

o Which articulation

• Duration – how long is the note

o Long and short notes

• Connection – How are the notes connected

o Related to duration – can have long notes that are note connected to the next note

• Finish – how is the note finished

o Do you end the note with your tongue or just let the note die away or finish it by starting the next note

Session 1: Technique class - We will not necessarily play all the notes of all the set pieces. We will use parts of these works to identify and practice various techniques as required by the class. We do not expect you to have mastered all the notes by the course.