Feature your percussion section, or even a talented faculty member, in this novelty that uses the woodblock as a soloist. Great for developing first-year counting skills, working on balance, countermelodies and easy dynamics, this composition will entertain players and audiences alike. Duration: 2:00
Program Notes: Woody Woodblocker is a novelty piece featuring the title instrument as a soloist. It is suitable for bands currently in the first year of lessons. It should be performed in a lively manner and played at a tempo deemed suitable by the director. While the typical woodblock is usually struck with a drumstick, the director may wish to explore other types of blocks and mallets which may prove more effective with bands of varying sizes. To overcome the issue of balance, the woodblock notes are primarily sounded while the winds have rests within a measure. Young bands, therefore, with more than a few players in the percussion section may use more than one woodblock player on the solo part without upsetting the balance between woodblock(s) and winds.
