Kendor Music Inc. The Two-Three Stomp - Monday - String Orchestra - Gr. 1

Composer: Deborah Baker Monday
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: String Orchestra
Grade: 1

This piece by Deborah Baker Monday offers some technical rigor that is still appropriate for younger musicians. A fun and educationally beneficial work for spring concerts or instant success back-to-school.

Program Notes
Let's play something fun and learn how to count-out loud!

In this easy-to-play setting, there are essentially three parts: Violin 1, Violin 2/Viola, and Cello/Bass. The music is designed to emphasize beats 2 and 3. In some places, the rests occur on 2 and 3, and in other places, the played notes have a clear emphasis on beats 2 and 3. The notes are all in D major, and the rhythms are simple.

The optional stomping can make this super fun. Stomps during the rests should be fairly easy. Sometimes the stomps occur while playing notes, which can be a coordination challenge, so you might want to teach the notes first and then add the stomps.

There are various ways to approach teaching "The Two-Three Stomp". One valuable approach is to have students clap and count out loud first. Next, have them play pizzicato and say the beats loudly during the rests. Counting is a crucial skill for all musicians, so making it fun helps ensure it sticks.

Everyone gets to do the glissando (or slide), so have all students practice this together. Have them do some silent sliding up and down the fingerboard, keeping the thumb and fingers loosely in playing position but not pressing down. Then locate the D on the G string (for Bass, on the A string) using 1st finger. Play the D for them so they can match the pitch. Next, try doing the slides pizzicato at first. When they feel comfortable, add the bow.