The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #102646 Message #2081868
Posted By: GUEST,PMB
20-Jun-07 - 03:44 AM
Thread Name: Help needed with GCSE in Folk Music
Subject: RE: Help needed with GCSE in Folk Music
It's 5 or more years since Daughter did GCSE music, so things might have changed. She, quite deservedly, got an A, despite not being the world's most accomplished performer on her chosen instrument, the piano (in fact, she was a self- taught beginner). I think that they are (or were) looking for appreciation and understanding rather than virtuosity, and particularly breadth rather than depth. But best ask the teacher for a look at the syllabus.
She had to play three or four pieces of her own choosing, plus two of her own compositions. She chose a simple Bach piece (the Musette from the English Suite no.3), a late 19th century French Pastorale by J'Oublissonnom, and The Entertainer (oh, and just remembered, a duet of Pachelbel's Canon with her mother). Her compositions were a very good Pastorale in the style of the piece she played, and a rollicking waltz that took all of 15 minutes to conceive and write out, and was much praised!
So if things are much the same, the Boy has the field to himself. If he sings, choose a song to match accomaniment to his voice. In any case I suspect a breadth of styles will get the best results. A Carolan tune, a Blues piece, a Morris tune perhaps.