Jan Alm ABC Trios for Bass or Cello

Description

Audiofile at bottom of page.

Performance time around 5 minutes.

Difficulty • to ••

In 2004 I was commissioned by London’s Royal College of Music Junior Department to write ensemble pieces for young players. Group playing has many benefits; young players are often left alone for too long, the orchestra repertoire being either too difficult or too easy for them to progress. A catchy tune or rythm can bring near-beginners quickly up to speed, especially if they practise with more advanced players.
ABC-trios comprices four small pieces: Astounding Antelopes Bad Mood Badgers Crooky Crocodiles and Dynamite Dogs. Versions for cello are included and if used in the context of coaching a youth orchestra I recommend basses playing with cellists in order to practise blending and balancing the two instrument groups. (We rehearse far too seldom together even as professional players, if you ask me…)

The first three pieces are easy to play. The fourth has a bit more to bite into for the musicians. Here is a version of “Dynamite Dogs” recorded in the GSO bass room in 2011 by Jan Alm, Jenny Ryderberg and Marc Grue.