Stage 1

The musical score which accompanies this worksheet can easily be learned and performed as a group - just like an orchestra. See if you can master one of the parts of the score. If this goes well you might try to play two parts at the same time if you play an instrument which enables you to do this.

When you learn the music, be aware that bars 4 and 5 are technically more difficult than the rest, so they will require more practice to become fluent. But they also use a sequence. This should help to simplify any technical difficulty you may have in playing these bars.

Note too that when the music of the opening returns at the end it has been subtly changed rhythmically. All the 1/4-notes have gone!


Stage 2

When everyone can play at least one part fluently perform the whole of Villagers' Dance as a group together. (If you are working alone with a computer you could sequence all the parts as synchronized tracks.) Try performing with and without the repeats. This will improve your concentration.

Stage 3

Work individually again - or possibly in pairs.

Think back to the work you have done using sequence. Now you are to make up a melody which continues on from the Villagers' Dance and makes much use of sequence.

This should start on F (Villagers' Dance, you will have noticed was in F major, i.e. with all Bs changed to Bb) and you should aim to finish on F too.

• You can use ascending or descending sequences
  
• You can invert your main idea if you want
  
• You can create several balancing phrases
  

Stage 4

Now the whole group can produce a magnificent piece of music. We'll call it Villagers' Concerto. It will contrast solos from the individual members of the group with "tuttis" when everyone plays together. Just like a concerto!

• To begin the whole group plays Villagers' Dance with all the repeats.....
  
• Then Soloist no. 1 plays his or her sequence-based interlude.....
  
• Followed directly by a shortened version (maybe without repeats or with some of the music omitted) of the Villagers' Dance.....
  
• Then soloist 2 plays his or her sequence-based interlude...... then (shortened) Villagers' Dance ......soloist 3 ....... Dance etc. until everyone has performed as a soloist....
  
• Then to finish the full Villagers' Dance as played at the beginning.
  
  

Once you have got used to switching between group playing and solo playing, you should record your Villagers' Concerto.



Stage 5

Listen to the recording of your Villagers' Concerto. Then listen to the first movement of Vivaldi's Concerto "Autumn".

Discuss the musical differences.

In your discussions you may find the following words useful to define:

• rondo
  
• ritornello
  
• modulation
  
• programme
  
• solo
  
• tutti
  
• ripieno
  
• virtuosity
  

Stage 6

Listen to the first movement of Vivaldi's "Autumn" following the music in the printed score. Observe how all the points the group raised in Stage 5 are written down by the composer to be performed by the players.