Product Description
"The Sound of Philadelphia (T.S.O.P.) known as the "Soul Train Theme" recorded by M.F.S.B. (Mother, Father, Siste, Brother) from the 1970s television series hosted by the late, Don Cornelius is a moving disco piece that was often played at parties, which people danced to on a two-sided Soul Train Line. This arrangement by Mr. Robinson is written for a combined (multi-level) string orchestra with percussion, organ, and piano. Listen to the 70s Philly disco style online.
The first portion (after the introduction) is written in the key of B major using the D major key signatures with accidentals that are written in. The novice string players (beginning - intermediate level) play whole notes, none of which uses those accidentals. The experienced (advanced level) musicians play those notes with accidentals, with the 2nd violins and violas playing repeated half notes every two measures. The 1st violins carry the melody of that pentatonic scale of B major and the basses have one measure of half position every four measures of G#s and D#s. Then the piece modulates in its parallel major of B minor. The rhythms are catchy and repeated in sections. What helps is the familiarity of this classic disco piece, which students are willing to look up on social media if they aren't familiar with it. Even some parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. including those with no music experience may help them. Many still have the recordings and can look them up online.
In some concerts that Mr. Robinson conducted, the audience would assemble in the Soul Train Line formation (two parallel lines) and dance from its beginning until the end. After the students complete performing this piece, they are directed to recite that famous line Don Cornelius would end his show: "We wish you love, peace, and SOUL!!!" ("Soul" in a high-pitched voice).
Mr. Robinson arranged this piece in B major in the beginning so that when it modulated to B minor, the cellos would play that famous, repeated figure, all in 1st position without shifting that goes, "doot-doot, doodle-la-DOO" with the easy fingering on the A-string of 1, 1, 1-0-1-4___
Notice the crescendo effect on the accented sfz (sforzando) using up bow, the best way to execute it.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.