These solos, with piano accompaniment, can be used by individual players as well as for performance by groups. They have proven effective for recruiting string players in the public schools, and for string classes, solo contests and string festivals. Each piece has a distinct value, either for development of certain rhythms, for the development of the left hand and bow arm, and for development of style and musicianship. For more advanced players, these pieces may include shifting into the third position. The third position fingerings may be added by the student or the teacher. Published for violin, viola, cello, string bass, and piano accompaniment. Learn More

The traditional bolero is a moderately slow dance in triple meter which originated in late 18th century Spain. Since then it has spread to other countries and become transformed in the process. The Cuban bolero became a bit faster in tempo and duple in meter. In the U.S. it became a staple of competitive ballroom dancing, even faster and in 4/4 time. Maurice Ravel's Boléro for orchestra harkens back to the slower Spanish dance in three. Wood's Bolero by Mark Wood, on the other hand, focuses on the American version but maintains elements of the dance's origins and first iterations. Learn More

String Thang by Mark Wood is based on the twelve-bar blues. The blues has deep roots in American history, developed out of the work songs and chants of African-American slaves. The Great Migration of the first half of the 20th century saw freed slaves and their descendants move to northern and eastern parts of the U.S., taking their music with them. The blues took on different forms; in turn it helped to create rock, jazz, hip-hop, and other popular genres. A twelve-bar blues uses a repeating chord progression which allows musicians to express themselves creatively with each recurrence. If anything defines the blues, it is the use of "blue notes"---pitches that don't usually belong in a given key---and elements of improvisation. Learn More

Mark Wood originally recorded Vivaldi Rocks on his These Are a Few of My Favorite Things CD playing his seven-string Viper electric violin, but the solo part can be performed on the traditional acoustic four-stringed instrument. The composer prefers the sound of the electric instrument, so consider at least using a microphone with a standard instrument for amplification. Learn More

Thirty-four hits from the top artists of 2004-2005. The arrangements are completely compatible with each other and can be played together or as solos. Each book contains a carefully edited part that is appropriate for the Level 2-3 player. The arrangements in the Violin book, however, are not compatible with those in the wind instrument books due to level considerations regarding keys and instrument ranges. Titles include: Believe * Breakaway * Breathe * Come Clean * Dreams * 8th World Wonder * Hole in the World * I Decide * I Don't Want to Be * Invisible * Leaving New York * Light in Your Eyes * Older Than My Years * One Thing * Peace (Where the Heart Is) * Pieces of Me * The Reason * Rescue * Sand in My Shoes * So Far Away * Take My Breath Away * Trip Around the Sun * Why Can't I * You and I * You Raise Me Up and many more. Learn More

This Romance (originally in E) may be accompanied by either piano or organ and utilizes the full student range of the instrument. Netzel places emphasis is on a lyric, rich tone through long phrases and intricately knit harmonies and a wide range of dynamics. A great introduction to executing smooth double stops and continuous vibrato. Learn More

The Preludio is the opening movement of Bach Partita for Solo Violin in E major BWV 1006, written in 1720. This movement inspired Bach to create the Sinfonia movement for his 1731 Cantata BVW 29. Bach used the organ to play the solo violin part, accompanied by orchestra, a sublime transformation of his earlier composition. Saint-Saens, an outstanding pianist, composer, organist and conductor transcribed the Sinfonia movement for Violin and Piano, The violin plays the unaltered solo part from the Partita, the piano part is Saint-Saens' ingenious transcription of the Sinfonia. Learn More

Fireball was originally composed for the television broadcast of the bike race, Tour de France, for CBS Sports. The footage that inspired the composer featured dozens of bike racers at top speed racing down a mountain road. The stress and competition forces the riders into extremely dangerous situations reflected in the music. Learn More

Mark Wood's arrangement of Any Way You Want It / Don't Stop Believin' showcases fun rock styles and classical technique. Right from the first notes with the anticipated first rhythm to the incorporation of the Don't Stop Believin' ending, you can celebrate the great band Journey and their fantastic rock riffs! Learn More