Description
This fun and easy piece is a great way to introduce young students to the Blues, as well as acclimate their ears to harmonic lines and trading the melody across different parts of the ensemble.
Program Notes
“Blue Cheese Blues” is a composition based on a 12-bar blues pattern in the key of E minor. There is no introduction. In measures 1–12, the Violins and Violas state the melody in unison, while the Cello and Bass play an abbreviated version of the melody in a more supportive role.
Following the first time through the pattern, the roles switch. At measure 13, the Cello and Bass play the melody while the Violins and Violas perform a simple counter-melody in harmony. An eight-measure interlude begins at measure 25, building both dynamically and harmonically.
Measure 33 begins the last time through the 12-bar pattern, with the Cello and Bass playing the melody. The counter-melody is again played by the Violins and Viola; however, the quarter notes that were previously played in the earlier section are now half notes for a more dramatic effect.
The ending of the piece starts at measure 45 and is similar to the interlude at measure 25, where the music builds both dynamically and harmonically up to the final cadence.
