Cat No. JM44433
Price £8.95
Composer: Mike Searby
Category: SOLOS - ANY B♭. Inst.

At first glance it is easy to think that this piece is too difficult to perform and would require an immense amount of stamina in order to play it. However if a few basic points are remembered there is no reason why a player around the Grade 8 mark should not include this exciting work in their repertoire.

The key to stamina and endurance is good embouchure combined with deep, relaxed breathing. In the LAMENT try to take good deep breaths and endeavour to play long phrases. Don’t breathe in every rest as this would break up the musical line and cause you to become more tense as the movement progressed.

Also in the LAMENT, try to play very freely and expressively and allow plenty of space in the rests.

The DANCE is essentially a sectional accelerando throughout its duration. Start too fast and you will end up in big trouble by the time you reach the last page!!

Remember the DANCE should always be ‘dance—like’ so give plenty of attention to rhythmic accuracy, articulation and dynamic range. The semi-quavers should not be rushed once the tempo has been established

LAMENT & DANCE is an excellent performance piece and as such should always be played with as much energy and commitment as possible. If this is done it is very exciting for both audience and performer and allows the piece to be a real ‘tour de force’
PAUL ARCHIBALD