Category: Violin Duets

Another Free Christmas Solo/Duet for Strings: Ding, Dong Merrily on High!

11/25/2022

These days, even small tasks can be complicated!

Recording sample tracks from the new Advent books these past few weeks required a sense of humor! Baby Lilya was absolutely determined to be heard in the outtake below... Having heard Joy to the World quite a lot by now, she even gets a little rhythmic in the middle of the video. 😂

Let's just say that it wasn't the most efficient session...

But we finally managed to get a couple of (mostly) clean takes to put on the product pages; hooray! And despite the challenges, we are loving having baby Lilya in rehearsals, planning sessions, some lessons, and even a performance or two!

We are happy, however,

that we got all of the actual recording done for this Christmas violin and cello CD before the baby was born. It's a little surreal that in all of the craziness of this past year that a second duo CD release was possible.

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Note: We encourage you to purchase and review the album on Amazon (rather than here on the website) because we really need reviews!

There is a lot of excitement about these new Advent books!

Flexible, compatible, and fun, these books give students and musicians material to play each day of the Christmas Advent season.

First, the Warm-Up helps you work on the difficulties in the carol and variation. Then the carol Melody is followed by a Variation on the carol. The Duet part can be played with either the Melody or the Variation. (Please note: it is not recommended to play the Melody along with the Variation).

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To celebrate the new Advent books

We are releasing two free Christmas carols for violin, viola, and cello. Here is the blog post with the first free Christmas carol, Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

And here is the second free Christmas carol:
Ding Dong Merrily on High!

Note: This solo/duet is compatible between instruments and so are the new Advent books!

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Cello Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Cello Christmas Carol

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Free Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice! (In dulci jubilo)

11/20/2022

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New Album Release for Violin and Cello!

Music + Baby = Fun but Exhausting Rehearsals

People say that having a baby changes everything. It most certainly has changed Myanna's life completely. But it has also changed our writing and publishing and performing and teaching. We had the idea for String Duo Christmas nearly two years ago, and started mapping out the project.

While Myanna was expecting, we were in the

middle of intense recording sessions. We finished the final recording session just in time: three weeks before the baby was born.

Lilya has heard more Christmas music in her life than she knows what to do with. In fact, between the album and the new Advent books that are being released this fall, and all the Christmas-themed rehearsals and lessons she will listed to, she will probably think that Christmas is year-round...

She was (almost) as excited as we were when the CDs came...

You can learn more about the album here:

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Once the restocking issues are worked out in a week or so, we encourage you to purchase and review the album on Amazon because we really need reviews!

This year, we are releasing three Advent study books!

These books have warm-up exercises, carol melodies, and carol variations for every day of the Christmas season; a sort of music advent calendar!

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Looking for a stress-free solo or duo gig book this holiday season? Whether you want just the basics or something a little fancier, these tunes and variations are all completely sight-readable. With interchangeable harmonies so both instruments can take the lead, and an easy-to-read layout for those low light situations, these books are an effortless way to expand your holiday rep!

Violin Takes the Lead!

Cello Takes the Lead!

To celebrate these releases, here is a free compatible solo and duet version of Good Christian Men, Rejoice! (In dulci jubilo)

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 1: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Free Violin Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 2: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 1: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Free Viola Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 2: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 1: Free Cello Christmas Carol

Free Cello Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 2: Free Cello Christmas Carol

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7 Ways Duets Can Make Teaching (and Studying) Easier!

4/2/2022

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-Myanna Harvey

My teacher and I never played duets in our lessons when I was growing up. We stuck to hard-core exercise and etude books like Sevcik and Schradieck, Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer, and all the other great books that have been helping people improve at the violin for a hundred years.

As a result, my technique was great, but I could never count at all. Well into high school, rhythm remained a tantalizing mystery reserved for wind players and those who were naturally blessed with having “good rhythm”. I learned all my repertoire rhythm by hearing it, including the ins and outs of orchestral music. Eventually a theory class forced me to actually learn how to make sense of what I saw on the page before I heard it, and the Great Mystery became just a math problem. Thank you Mr. Wilensky!

But when I started teaching, I needed a way to help my students count better that worked in the lessons. I started assigning duets in addition to technical studies, etudes, and solo repertoire and immediately saw my students improve!

Here are some of the benefits I’ve noticed from playing duets in the lessons with my own students over the years:

1. Duets improve rhythm!

Duets are often written in score form, which gives your students a chance to see how the parts fit together and what each note is “worth."
Duets let the teacher establish and insist on a tempo that the student learns to follow. Students can feel pulse and phrasing from the teacher.
Because duets don't work unless the student counts correctly, they can hear why they need to count.
Duets are usually the very first chamber music that students experience. Hearing another part at the same time that they are playing can be initially confusing but it is so important for students to get used to that!

2. Duets help sight-reading.

Sight-reading was another big mystery to me as a kid. Having students sight-read through duets that are a few levels below their current solo repertoire gives them hands-on guided experience in real-time playing. They get weekly chances (with just a little bit of "in-lesson pressure") to tackle the challenges in reading music and making sound from what they see on the page.

3. Duets help tone and overall sound.

When you play with your students, they subconsciously rise to the sound you are creating together. If you use vibrato, they’ll use more. If you are playing with a confident, beautiful tone, they’ll find themselves matching you. If you use longer bows, they will too. Hearing you play alongside them will have a greater effect on their playing than all the explaining, exhorting, and general nagging I usually resort to.

4. Duet-playing improves morale.

When I use duets that are shorter and easier than their concerto or sonata, it’s an easy win; my students can learn an assigned duet in a week or two and feel like they’re really succeeding at something. Solo repertoire takes longer to master and it can be discouraging to be in the middle of learning a long piece without shorter, less-intense music to bring some joy to the lessons.
When we play together, the students sound much better than they do alone; it’s a tangible difference that they and their parents can hear right away.

5. Duet-playing in recitals helps avoid stage fright.

Nervous performers (including some adult learners) can benefit immensely from performing with their teacher in a duet! Duet performances give the student a safety-net and the sense that they aren't alone up on stage!

6. Duets help build a strong student-teacher relationship.

Cassia and I both had awesome and awe-inspiring teachers. We never felt comfortable talking to them as if they were actual human beings. Because of this, I am convinced that lessons were more stressful than they needed to be. Duets help your students realize that it isn’t you against them; you’re in this together!

7. Duets are just plain fun!

Trading rhythms...
Taking turns on melody and harmony...
Feeding off each other’s energy...
Celebrating the social part of music...
Playing music that sounds good, no matter what the level!

I usually play duets with my students either at the end of the lesson, or after exercises and before solo rep, and it always works as a mood booster. When we can achieve joy in a lesson, as well as musical improvement, to me, that’s success!

-Myanna

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Check out some of these duet books to
make your teaching easier!

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Forked Deer: Free Mini Fiddle Tune Booklet for Violin, Viola, Cello, and String Bass!

10/4/2020

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All of the music was ready. The snacks, the chairs, the stands; we were ready for anything. Myanna and I had spent hours arranging music, making chamber groups out of names (level often unknown), answering emails, cleaning, and so much more. Summer string camp was about to begin!

Harvey String Teaching Summer Chamber Camp

The doorbell rang and the first student came in, always looking a little uncertain. It's hard to be first! But then the deluge would happen and soon our front porch would be covered with violin, viola, cello, and bass cases and no matter how prepared we had planned to be, chaos would reign for that entire first session.

We have always had students at a range of ages and levels sign up for Summer Chamber Camp, from first year players to high schoolers in advanced string quartets. But by far, the most challenging issue has been finding music for our "Blackberry Blossom" groups: first and second year students in larger groups who want to play with their friends (even if levels aren't compatible) and have fun playing!

The level range inside of these groups has been astonishing. Some students only know a few notes while others can play fluently in first position (but aren't quite ready for the early-intermediate trios and quartets at the next level.)

Problem-solving is pretty much our favorite thing. So Myanna wrote some easy, flexible tune arrangements for these groups.

First, there's a Regular Exercise and a Basic Exercise that can both be played together at the same time (and with all the instruments.)

Then, for each tune, there's an Advanced Melody, a Stress-Free Melody, a Basic Harmony, and a Teacher Harmony (plus, a piano accompaniment and full score, available separately.)

Here's a concert photo of one of our Summer Fiddle groups playing a tune from the Blackberry Blossom Fiddle Books!

We weren't able to have a summer camp this year due to Covid. But now, we're using these books both with in-person and remote string classes and lessons. And we're excited about how flexible the books are, both with level and instrumentation.

And now for the free booklets!

To give you an idea of how the books work, Myanna and I have put together a free set of exercises and tune arrangement of Forked Deer in exactly the same format as the Blackberry Blossom Fiddle Books.

This is an all-new tune that isn't in the books! Feel free to copy and hand out to students or fellow musicians.

Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for Violin

Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for Viola

Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for Cello

Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for String Bass

Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for String Class

Here are Free Play-Along Tracks for Forked Deer:

C. Harvey Publications · Forked Deer First Exercise

C. Harvey Publications · Forked Deer Second Exercise

C. Harvey Publications · Forked Deer Tune

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Free Sousa Duet for Strings to Celebrate the Release of Fiddles on the Bandstand, Book One!

7/2/2020

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Free Liberty Bell March for Violins, Violas, Cellos but Sousa

So we're a little over halfway through 2020 and it's been quite a year! We hope that all of you are healthy and safe and able to still make music.

About a month ago, just as the weather was turning warmer, Myanna realized we all could all use some light-hearted, earnest, outdoor-belonging, inspiring, beautiful, rhythmic, toe-tapping, nostalgic, FUN music!

As usual, Myanna told me nothing about what she was writing, but as I walked out of the studio to my car one day, I passed Myanna and our mother playing some Sousa on two violins and I just had to stop and listen.

They kept playing through the book and somehow I couldn't leave. And that's how the Fiddles on the Bandstand books were born!

Fiddles on the Bandstand Duets: Fully Compatible Between Instruments

Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Two Violins

Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Two Violas

Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Two Cellos

Here's What's In the Books:

Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Strings

These are the tunes people hum, the tunes we remember from "somewhere", the tunes we might even want to share with our neighbors in an impromptu outdoor concert!

Some years ago, Myanna and I ran a youth orchestra and when they were asked to play outside after a parade, we quickly realized that there is an entire genre of lighthearted music that is perfect for that situation. Some of the tunes that inspired us back then have made an appearance in this book.

In the past week, as the books have arrived from the printer, I have started to play the duets in outdoor lessons with my students. And I can say that there's nothing quite like the beauty of these cello duets gently floating out in the breeze.

To Celebrate the New Books,
Here's a Brand New Arrangement of
Sousa's Liberty Bell March!

John Philip Sousa

Did you know that Sousa began his career playing violin?

Sample Pages from the Free March:
(Full March Available Through the Contact Form Below.)

The violin duet is mainly in first position with a small amount of third position.
The viola duet is in first and third positions.
The cello part is in first through fourth positions and is all in bass clef.
The duets are compatible between instruments.

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Free Christmas Duets to Celebrate New Book Releases!

12/10/2019

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How three new duet books made it to press in the middle of a super busy fall...

In the middle of way too many scheduled performances and tons of teaching, Myanna was writing the books in the Dancing Into Bethlehem series.

Now, I just have to say that Myanna is wonderfully secretive. She never reveals what books she'll write next; no group-think or input from anyone ever inspires what will be written.

However, I can tell something new is coming when I hear strains of her duets wafting up from the studio below mine. Myanna's music is just so inventive, evoking film scores and folk dances, that I always know when I'm hearing her arrangements.

Writing is just the first part. After that she figures out bowings, edits the books, plays through the books many times, tries the duets out with her many students, and finally sends the books to me. Yay.

Although I've figured out that new books are coming, I can only prepare so much. Most of the work I do can't start until I actually have the manuscripts.

I pick the titles, design the covers, set up the layouts, do more proofreading, register the ISBNs, send the books to our various printers, make book cover and sample page images for the website, write the book descriptions, design the webpages, order the books, and finally start letting everyone know.

Let's just say that Black Friday shopping didn't happen. I didn't even have time to do Cyber Monday shopping! Instead, I caught a few of those "Cyber Monday Extended" sales. Yep, those extended sales are just about perfect for us.

As an aside, I'd like to thank our wonderful UPS, USPS, and Fedex, and AmazonFresh delivery people, without whom this company (and these hungry musicians) would not be able to run!

Here's a little bit about the new books:

All duets are compatible between instruments (violin and viola, violin and cello, and viola and cello can play together!)
All duets are intermediate. The violin and viola books are all in first position but are musically and technically challenging. The cello book uses first through fourth positions (but no tenor clef.)
Myanna picked a really neat selection of carols and Christmas music! I love her other Christmas duet book, Sailing Into Bethlehem, and I'm excited to have new music to play with my students this year.
These duets can be played for gigs, in lessons, or just for fun. They bring an enchanting, lively warmth to the Christmas season!

And to Celebrate the Release,

Here Are Some Free Mini Books of Carols!

These free violin, viola, and cello duets are compatible between instruments, just like the duets in Sailing Into Bethlehem and Dancing Into Bethlehem.
These duets are not included in either of the two Christmas duet books; they're only available here!