Hi!

I have been asked to set up an orchestra in a primary school. Just wondering what kind of range I could expect violinists up to around grade 2 or 3 to have? I want to try and prepare lots of different fun stuff for the first rehearsal and don't want to ask them to do the impossible (or unreasonable!)

Thanks

If they're grade 2 / 3 level, keep it mostly in first position and avoid keys with more than two flats or sharps (G3 is where shifting to third position is introduced, but if you're not sure that they've all mastered G3 skills, keep it at G2) - so stick to keys like G major, D major and A major, although you can probably safely throw in some C major, some F major and some Bb major - they should also be able to play in G D and A minor, at least over one octave.

Hope this helps.

Allan

For violinists, I would say from G below the stave to the A/B above it

Could I add to the above: try and stick to simple time, preferably 3/4 and 4/4. My daughter and her friend almost cried when they saw 12/8 for the first time! Come to think of it, so did I.....

Thanks guys! I don't know what level I have or indeed which instruments, but I want to make sure I don't put any of them off! With this info I can go off and arrange a couple of easy tunes for the first day!

Thanks

Hi pianodub

I've also just started an orchestra in the primary school I teach at, and it's a lot of fun! The violins I have range from pre grade 1 to grade 2. I'm using music from the Absolute Beginners series (published by Phoenix Music) which I would recommend, as the arrangements are very flexible and geared towards this age group and ability.

I would re-iterate what others have said - keep to 1st position and avoid too many sharps and flats. Having said that, the 1st piece I did was in C major and I had to teach some of the violins where F natural was

If the school is anything like mine then I'd expect an odd assortment of instruments - I have a lot of guitars and recorders, a couple of trumpets, a clarinet and cello as well as the violins. It's a case of working with what you've got

Do PM me if you want to share ideas, as I'm very new to it all!

Thanks very much!

i suppose the only thing I'm concerned about is that I'm not a string player...so I will have to make sure I only use notes that they know already!

Did you find the Absolute Beginners series expensive?