Charts for Sale

Christian Howes is now making charts available for musicians of all levels, including five songs from his CD "Jazz Fiddle Revolution" and one from his 2004 album Klazyc.

The charts are formatted to be read as-is and/or used as a basis for improvising solos and accompaniment parts. They can be used for the following instrumentation/ensembles:
 

vln/cello duo,
vln, vln, cello trio
vln, viola, cello trio
vln, vln, vln, cello quartet
vln, vln, viola, cello quartet

Besides the "score" provided, Chris provides PDF charts of 1) vln/cello 2) 2nd vln/3rd vln 3) 2nd vln/viola. The CD, "Jazz Fiddle Revolution," is also available for purchase, below. It is recommended to help understand and put into context these charts.

But keep in mind that these performances were all more or less performed live in the studio without arrangements, and without rehearsal. Chris wanted to capture the essence of a true jazz ensemble by improvising all the parts.

Each of these performances utilizes distinct strategies for bass line, soloing, and accompaniment voices. By listening to the CD and reading the charts, you should eventually be able to deviate
from the charts substantially and create your own parts. The most advanced players should strive to play these tunes in a duo format (vln/cello, vln/viola, vln/vln, or viola/cello), thus really
internalizing all the functions and roles.

Please note: these charts are not transcriptions. They do not contain written solos - they are arranged adaptations inspired by the performances on the CD. You are encouraged to transcribe the original solos and/or make up your own!
 

Click image to enlarge. Your price: $15.00 (save $2 on each additional chart!)	Groove Merchant - (advanced difficulty) Get 'yo groove on! Billy plays an amazing intro alone on this tune, showing just how funky the violin can be. Cello can try alternating pizzicato and arco and seeing what's comfortable. Don't be thrown off by the notated "chopping" parts in this arrangement. You might be better off simply listening to the recording and emulating the chopping as you hear it. Click here to listen to a sample!
Click image to enlarge. Your price: $15.00 (save $2 on each additional chart!)	Maria, Maria - (intermediate) Billy adapted this tune for a swing arrangement, and he takes an amazing solo. The cello alternates between walking quarter notes and playing in a two feel. The accompaniment violin/viola should be sensitive to the cello by sometimes chopping and sometimes playing legato or syncopated double stops, but always being careful to keep the groove and leave space for the soloist. Click here to listen to a sample!
Click image to enlarge. Your price: $15.00 (save $2 on each additional chart!)	It Never Entered My Mind - (less difficulty) This ballad features a simple ostinato bass line in the cello, legato double stop accompaniment in the second violin (which can also be divided between viola/violin or 2nd violin/3rd violin), and a simple melody which can be interpreted by the 1st violin very broadly. This also works well with a freely improvised cello solo as an intro to the tune. Click here to listen to a sample!
Click image to enlarge. Your price: $15.00 (save $2 on each additional chart!)	The Oracle - (intermediate) This is a fun, modal tune, in 6/4 meter with straight (not swung) rhythms. The main vamp in d minor should be comfortable for everyone in the group to solo over, while more advanced soloists will want to play over the form. Billy uses a great off-beat-based, double stop accompaniment style, and the melody lies easily on violin. Watch the temptation to use too much vibrato!
Click image to enlarge. Your price: $15.00 (save $2 on each additional chart!)	Turkish March - From the European acoustic trio’s second album, Klazyc (2004). This is another flashy, and sometimes wacky, piece to add for an encore to your set. Audiences always love it because it's so familiar and sounds very virtuosic. The version recorded on "Klazyc" should be self-explanatory. Instead of a "free" piano solo at the end, we've made some motific suggestions for a "free" string quartet solo. (Please note, this arrangement is formatted for string quartet, but could be easily adapted by you for trio). Click here to listen to a sample!
Click image to enlarge. Your price: $15.00 (save $2 on each additional chart!)	The Way You Look Tonight - (advanced) This is based off a "twin fiddles" styles arrangement originally created by Billy Contreras and Buddy Spicher. The double stops seem harder than they are, but if they give you a hard time, you don't have to play them all! This up-tempo swing tune will give the cellist/bassist a workout in walking quarter notes, and is a great tune to add to your repertoire both for flashiness and recognizability. Click here to listen to a sample!
Click here to send us an e-mail if interested!	Jazz Fiddle Revolution - The perfect complement to any of the charts, above, this album is truly revolutionary album featuring spontaneous duo performances with the brilliant young violinist Billy Contreras, plus guest spots with cellist and trombonist Dana Leong. This album demonstrates new possibilities in two-violin duets, with the violins accompanying each other in a range of jazz styles, including swing, funk, and blues. Including innocent performances of “What a Wonderful World” and the Rodgers and Hart classic, “It Never Entered My Mind," as well as bold, fresh takes on other standards such as “The Way You Look Tonight," “Doxie," and some originals by Howes and Contreras. Doxy - (Click here to Listen!) The Way You Look Tonight Sunny Maria, Maria Merchants Groove - (Click here to Listen!) Untitled blues jam Fugue in G Minor for solo violin It Never Entered My Mind Traditional Fiddle Tune The Oracle Dialogue Over Two Themes What A Wonderful World Doxy – reprise