Blackbirds Sittin’ on a Telephone Wire (violin and piano) level 0.5

Title: Blackbirds Sittin’ on a Telephone Wire 

Composer: David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin and Piano

Note: Have you ever looked at a musical staff and imagined the notes as birds flocking on utility lines? I have, and I find that the image is helpful to young students learning to read music. This piece was written for note reading practice and uses only “line” notes. It uses straightforward rhythms to allow students to focus their attention on reading. It also accustoms the eye and hand to recognizing thirds and fifths.

Skills: G Major; 4/4 time; uses only first and third fingers; no repositioning of fingers; entirely separate bows and easy rhythms.