DW928 - Musical Routes Suite:
Playing Standard: Grade 1
This is an album of four pieces for beginners. It's all about travel - the pieces being named Avenues, Bridges, Streets, and Tunnels. All are written in the key of C Major.
Avenues
This preparatory piece, of just 20 bars, invites the beginner not only to play notes but also some variations in tempo and dynamic variation.
The use of ritardando (rit.) and a tempo introduce and illustrate musical expression - an important part of making music, from the very beginning. Although it is based on a three-chord bass and five-note treble range, two extra notes (one above, one below) extend the standard C-G treble range slightly without being too challenging, but make it slightly more musical.
Bridges
Written in C Major, the right hand (treble) the piece introduces minims and crochets, with some note slurs, staccato, accent points, and dynamic markings, and a lead-in note. The left hand (bass) is comprised of just three major chords, and sustains the 3/4 time rhythm.
Streets
Written in C Major, the piece starts in the treble with a lead-in note, then minims and crochets set the tune in the first eight bars. The second eight is a sort of answer, but introduces staccato notes, more phrasing, articulation, and dynamic markings, as well as bass notes and chords together at the climax of the piece. Only three major chords are used (C, F, G) in the bass keyboard and these sets the tone and keeps the rhythm going throughout, with no variation in timing.
Tunnels
This little piece is written in C Major, and in 4/4 time. It includes the bass chords of C, F, and G. In the treble, the notes are within the five-note range from C to G. The piece also introduces staccato notes, in two eight-bar themes, as well as phrasing. |
