Dance of Hercules (viola and piano) level 1.5

Title: Dance of Hercules

Composer: Tielman Susato, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Viola and Piano

May be performed with violin and cello versions.

Printout: 2 pages

Note: Bowing patterns are consistent with pieces at the end of Suzuki volume 1. My students have always enjoyed this march-like tune and imagining the mythical Greek hero trying to dance to it (he was renowned for his strength, not his grace). The meter change is tricky for some until they get the feel of keeping the half note pulse as the new one-bar pulse. The 3/4 section is essentially a metric variation of the theme.

Skills: 2/2 time and 3/4 time; G Major; staccato; hooked bows; double up bows; bow recovery lifts; meter change. The techniques required to play this piece are consistent with those found at the end of Suzuki Vol. 1, but because of the meter change it has been placed in level 1.5.