10

Complete the melody  - select the instrument

You will always be given the choice of two suitable instruments for the opening two bars. If you’re lucky enough to be given the choice of your own instrument, select this one.  If not (and pianists this will always be the case) pick the stringed instrument (if one is given)  or if not a non-transposing instrument.  Whatever instrument you pick, you must know its pitch range - lowest and highest notes - because your melody cannot go outside this range.

Why pick a string instrument over woodwind/brass?  

First, you don’t have to worry about whether its a transposing instrument or not.

Second you can “show off” some of the specific instrument performance directions you’ve learned.  You don’t have to have played the violin or cello to know that staccato notes could be played “pizzicato” and you can slap on a “arco” direction when bowing should resume on some suitably marked slur or legato passage.

Finally because string instruments can play harmonics there is no strict upper limit to their pitch range.

Select the Instrument selection