Bicycles

Subject

the joys of bike-riding

Year Composed

1973

Year Copyrighted

1973

Voicing

Four-Part Partner Song

Solos

optional solo verses

Musical Form

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 together
• (Modulation) Part 1
• Coda

Song Details

Bicycles is part-song writing at its best! After Part 1 introduces the theme and sets the wheels in motion, each of the 3 subsequent parts describe, with excitement, a child’s graduation from tricycle, to 2-wheel 3-speed bike, to racing bike. Each part is unique in melody, rhythm and tessitura, which provides delightful contrast. When the parts accumulate, the result is exhilarating for singers and listeners alike. Bicycles is pure fun!

Performance options

use the first verse only for each part instead of both to simplify; sing accumulated parts together each time before introducing the next new part; start with Part 1, verse 1 slowly, a cappella, as a solo or in unison to create an introduction; then continue as written; vary accompaniment accordingly to match the form you choose; an old fashioned bike bell sound effect at the end is a must!

Suggested uses

• all-school sing
• elementary music classroom

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Bicycles