Four Scottish Dances and Exultate

wsFltePicmb09 · Post by **wsFltePicmb09** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 8:20 pm

Ok so my Wind Symphony wants to kill our director right now because he gave us Four Scottish Dances and Exultate (sp?) and an American Elegy. American Elegy is easy... but the other two are crazy because of the key signatures in FSD and the runs in Exultate (which is pretty much all Bb runs so should be ok...). Of course we got this the same time we are doing auditions for concert band and MB stuff for next year plus finals and AP tests.. so im kinda freaking out... specially with FSD... anyone have any words of wisdom?? im practicing scales and arpeggios but still not anywhere near close to being ready to perform this in a few weeks....

piccolobander · Post by **piccolobander** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:21 pm

I am playing Exultate in Wind Ensemble. I love that song!! Although it looks crazy the first time you look at it, it is just Bb runs so it really isn't bad at all.

wsFltePicmb09 · Post by **wsFltePicmb09** » Tue May 01, 2007 4:59 pm

yes... we played it again today and i noticed that the flutes were doing pretty well but the clarinets rush... since im sitting right in front of the 2 loudest clarinets (1st and 2nd chair) I cant hear the rest of the band very well and they keep throwing me and 2nd chair flute off... thats why its confusing... **shakes fist** stupid clarinets... lol... hopefully they'll get it...

Buttercup · Post by **Buttercup** » Fri May 04, 2007 5:42 am

I presume you mean Arnold's Four Scottish Dances arr. Painter. It's a fabulous piece. The trick is to remember they're dances, to feel the lilt and remember to head for the downbeat.
The first eight bars (which repeats later on) are fiendish but it's decoration, you're not the melody- just aim for the first beat of the bar and the rest of the notes will fit in with practice.

The Reel- the second movement- is great because it sounds harder than it is- as long as you know all your scales! The melody is the same, it just modulates a semitone in each section

The main thing is to feel the downbeat- ONE two ONE two etc. Light semiquavers and a lilt to the rhythm to make it dance.

Third mvt- INTONATION! You're playing pianissimo but that won't help you if you're flat! It's the oboe's shining moment, don't sabotage it

The octave triplets are meant to be a shimmering background effect- keeping them in time is very tricky.

Fourth mvt- Again, it's easy because it's just the same figure over and over again- just hang on for grim death and you'll hopefully finish at the same time as everyone else.

I hope this helps.

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Fri May 04, 2007 3:37 pm

I agree with Buttercup's analysis of the Arnold. I played it at an Honor Band and you should really know your scales for the second movement (that's my favorite one) It's really playful. Watch your fingerwork in the first movement becuase of all the weird patterings - especially the triplet grace notes ALL THE WYA UP THERE.

The played Hazo's Exultate at All County Band this year, too! I hated it. I think the piece is purely rhythm and fingeerwork during thos eincredible runs. They aren't too har but you just have to make sure you hit everything in time or the entire piece is ruined.

wsFltePicmb09 · Post by **wsFltePicmb09** » Fri May 04, 2007 4:42 pm

mvt 2 is def. my fav haha... 3 is gorgeous... 1 is a pain and 4 is manageable... thanx for the help... good hints!!...
exultate is a pain, but as long as the clarinets (im not pointing fingers!! lol) dont rush we should be fine... haha...