String Ensemble with Ken Allday
A string ensemble has four voices. Usually, they are spread out similarly to a choir (SATB). The soprano is the highest voice and is usually on the main melody of a tune. The alto part is usually in support to the melody, often harmonizing it or responding to it within the arrangement. The tenor voice for our purposes will be the harmony part that tells the listener what the chords are within the song. Finally, the bass part is usually the lowest note in the ensemble and plays a fundamental role in establishing the harmony of a song.
Every part in a format like this has a specific role. In this class our goal will be to not only put the notes of our part on our instruments, but also understand the role of our parts in the context of the group.
For this class, the parts will be written in standard notation. So if you know how to read, that is a plus but not a requirement. The parts will be accessible by reading and by listening. Parts will be accessible before week one. So you could take this class, learn all the parts by ear and show up day one with your part ready to go and have a good time. You could also show up and read the notation and have a good time.
In either case, we will work together to connect our ears, voices and instruments to what is on the page.
Any string instrument can sign up for this class. Guitars, mandos, violins, banjos, bass.
The music… The first song we tackle as a group will be a simplified arrangement of “My Old Kentucky Home” written and parted out by Ken. More music will be introduced depending on how we fare as an ensemble with the first tune.
This is an adult class open to students aged 13 and up.