Rounds!

Here is a collection of simple “rounds” that we can learn and play in unison. Cellos, Violins and Violas all play the same part. What makes a “round” special is that although we all play the same notes, we can start at different times to create harmonies.

The first two are simplified adaptations of “Frere Jacques”. Try singing them on “Do Re Mi” before you play.

Practice Challenge – play a round by yourself
Grab a phone (or an iPad or some kind of recording device) and a bluetooth speaker. Apple phones have a “voice memo” app that works really well for this.

Record yourself playing one of these pieces twice through (they are all 8 bars and repeat once).

Now play that back through the speaker loudly enough so you can hear it while you play.

Once the recording plays the first two bars, you start from the beginning.

For example, in “Are You Dreaming” after the recording plays “Do Re Mi, Do Re Mi”, you start playing.

Need a bit of an extra challenge?
Can you play your part one octave higher? Or one octave lower if you’re on a cello?

Here are a few examples of how they can sound when split into groups.