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I recently had a friend ask me the following question:

"I have a really talented but young tuba student. She's only in 6th grade but made 2nd chair in district honor band. I'm looking for a solo for her. She has great technique, beautiful tone and her range is improving all the time but she's still young. Any suggestions?"

I've never taught a student this young. Anyone have ideas?

Bourree by G. F. Handel/Swanson published by Alfred is what I use as the second solo I have kids work on. You can work on it slowly in 4 and gradually speed up to go in 2. Kids like it and it's just good music. You can see the part by searching for it at JW Pepper.

the elephant wrote:That old chestnut "Asleep in the Deep" has both piano and band accompaniment, should any opportunities to solo with the band suddenly crop up...

"Asleep in the Deep" and 15 others are in "First Solos for the Tuba Player", arranged by Herbert Wekselblatt and published by G. Schirmer. It has solos with piano accompaniment ranging from really easy to approaching difficult. It also has seven tuba duets which the student could play with the teacher, both in practice and in concert.

I believe I got it from Sheetmusic Plus.

An advanced 6th grade student could probably play a level 2 solo, or possibly even a level 3, based on NY State's NYSSMA system. I've even had a few play a level 4. Bouree and Asleep in the Deep are both NYSSMA level 2 solos. A few other level 2 solos that I've used are: Gavotte - Bach/Swanson (Warner Bros.), Old TIme Theme and Variations - Barnes (Medici), Gavotte - Purcell/Vedeski (Medici), and Russian Medley - Bell/Little (Warner Bros.).

A good level 3 is Handel's, Honor and Arms. There's a new arrangent of it arr. by K. Kaisershot (Almitra). It includes more expicit dynamic markings than previous arrangments. An easy level 4, if the student is really advanced for a 6th grader, wouild be Walter Sear's, Sonatina (Cor.)

Bill Troiano wrote:An advanced 6th grade student could probably play a level 2 solo, or possibly even a level 3, based on NY State's NYSSMA system. I've even had a few play a level 4. Bouree and Asleep in the Deep are both NYSSMA level 2 solos. A few other level 2 solos that I've used are: Gavotte - Bach/Swanson (Warner Bros.), Old TIme Theme and Variations - Barnes (Medici), Gavotte - Purcell/Vedeski (Medici), and Russian Medley - Bell/Little (Warner Bros.).

A good level 3 is Handel's, Honor and Arms. There's a new arrangent of it arr. by K. Kaisershot (Almitra). It includes more expicit dynamic markings than previous arrangments. An easy level 4, if the student is really advanced for a 6th grader, wouild be Walter Sear's, Sonatina (Cor.)

These are some good selections, but we neglected to find out one thing...when did this 6th grader start playing? If, like much of the Norteast and Midwest, the kid started playing in Elem. school, a grade 3 or 4 might be appropriate, but if this student's school didn't offer music in Elem. school then a 3 or a 4 will be way too hard. Down here in FL, the bourree would still be too hard for most 6th graders though there are some freaks that could pull if off!