Quick Answer
String duets based on Sousa marches can help violinists, violists, and cellists improve rhythm, articulation, ensemble playing, and musical energy while making practice more fun and collaborative. March-style music encourages steady tempo, clear articulation, and strong rhythmic coordination, which are important ensemble skills for intermediate string players.
Intermediate Sousa-inspired duets can help string players:
- strengthen rhythmic precision
- improve articulation and bow control
- develop ensemble awareness
- build confidence playing with others
- experience energetic American concert band style music on string instruments
Flexible string duets are also useful for mixed-instrument lessons, studio classes, and informal performances.
Free Sousa Duet to Celebrate New Duet Books!
So we’re a little over halfway through 2020 and it’s been quite a year! We hope that all of you are healthy and safe and able to still make music.
About a month ago, just as the weather was turning warmer, Myanna realized we all could all use some light-hearted, earnest, outdoor-belonging, inspiring, beautiful, rhythmic, toe-tapping, nostalgic, FUN music!
As usual, Myanna told me nothing about what she was writing, but as I walked out of the studio to my car one day, I passed Myanna and our mother playing some Sousa on two violins and I just had to stop and listen.
They kept playing through the book and somehow I couldn’t leave. And that’s how the Fiddles on the Bandstand books were born!
The Fiddles on the Bandstand Duets are fully compatible between instruments
What does this mean?
The parts in each book can be played as duets with the parts in the other books. Are you a violinist that wants to play with a cellist? You can play your part with a cellist that is playing from their part!
See the free duet below to try our a free, compatible duet!
Here’s what’s in the books:
These are the tunes people hum, the tunes we remember from “somewhere”, the tunes we might even want to share with our neighbors in an impromptu outdoor concert!
Some years ago, Myanna and I ran a youth orchestra and when they were asked to play outside after a parade, we quickly realized that there is an entire genre of lighthearted music that is perfect for that situation. Some of the tunes that inspired us back then have made an appearance in this book.
In the past week, as the books have arrived from the printer, I have started to play the duets in outdoor lessons with my students. And I can say that there’s nothing quite like the beauty of these cello duets gently floating out in the breeze.
Did you know that John Phillip Sousa began his career playing the violin?
To celebrate the release of the new duet books, here is a free copy of an all-new arrangement (that’s not in the book!)
Want a PDF of these? See below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are march-style duets good for string players?
March-style duets help string players develop steady rhythm, articulation, coordination, and ensemble awareness. The clear rhythmic pulse and energetic style of march music can also help string players improve timing and musical confidence while playing with another musician.
Can violin, viola, and cello players perform holiday duets together?
Thise Sousa March duet, as well as the duets in Fiddles on the Bandstand, can be played by any combination of violin, viola, and cello. Flexible duet arrangements make it easier for siblings, friends, classmates, and mixed string groups to play together even if they study different instruments.
Can this free Sousa duet be used for violin, viola, or cello gigs?
The flexibility of instrumentation and harmonic creativity make these duets great for gigs!