Sullivan, Arthur - The Very Model of a Modern Major General
Free Sheet music for Piano

8notes PREMIUM

You can access this piece (and all our high quality, printable PDF files) by subscribing to 8notes PREMIUM. Already a subscriber? Click here to login

Individual Subscription
$20
per year 

Recurring every 12 months

  • Unlimited download of hundreds of pieces
  • Unlimited playalong tracks
  • High quality PDF files for printing
  • Exclusive subscription content
  • Free transposition of pieces, on request
  • Separate instrumental parts available
  • Includes longer & more advanced works
  • Instant access
  • An advert-free site
   If you are a school or institution please read about our Schools Subscription
   If you prefer to subscribe for a one-time only payment without opening a paypal account please Click here


More about how subscription works


By clicking the Buy Now button above, you will first be asked to create an 8notes account if you don't already have one. Then you will be given the option of paying by either PayPal or by credit or debit card.

If using Paypal, please note that payment is made out to Red Balloon Technology Ltd, the official owner of 8notes.com. Card payments use the Stripe.com payment system. In both cases, all card information is handled securely by the payment processor and is not stored or seen by 8notes.com

Your subscription lasts for 12 months from the date of purchase and you will be billed again in one year's time. You can of course cancel your subscription at any time if you do not wish to make any further payments. Paypal users should cancel from within their Paypal account. If you pay by card you can cancel directly from your 8notes account. Simply click on the account menu and then the Subscriptions tab and look for the cancel link.

Access should be instant after payment has been made in both cases.

Before subscribing, please check our test piece to ensure your will have no problems with our PDF files. Most common problems can be resolved on our help page.

What subscription covers
  • All 8notes.com PDF files, all 8notes.com Subscription Only pieces
What subscription doesn't cover
  • Access to any in-copyright popular music, in particular, full versions of the popular music riffs.
Refunds

We have a no quibbles refund policy if you are unhappy with your subscription for any reason. Refund requests should be sent to







Download Score PDF
(8notes Premium)
No parts available for this pieces as it is for solo piano.
(all shown in Concert Pitch)
Arrangements of this piece also available for:
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Cello
  • Clarinet
  • Euphonium
  • Flute
  • French Horn
  • Saxophone (Alto)
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Violin
  • Voice
     Request New Version


About 'The Very Model of a Modern Major General'

Born:
1842 , Lambeth, London
Died:
1900 , London
The Artist:
The musical half of the popular light opera team. Gilbert and Sullivan between them wrote such popular pieces as The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance
Composed:
1879
Info:
"I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" (often referred to as the "Major-General's Song" or "Modern Major-General's Song") is a patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan's 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. It is sung by Major-General Stanley at his first entrance, towards the end of Act I. The song satirises the idea of the "modern" educated British Army officer of the latter 19th century. It is one of the most difficult patter songs to perform, due to the fast pace and tongue-twisting nature of the lyrics.


I am the very model of a modern Major-General,
I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical;a
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,
About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news, (bothered for a rhyme)
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.

I'm very good at integral and differential calculus;
I know the scientific names of beings animalculous:
In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General.

I know our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's;
I answer hard acrostics, I've a pretty taste for paradox,
I quote in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus,
In conics I can floor peculiarities parabolous;
I can tell undoubted Raphaels from Gerard Dows and Zoffanies,
I know the croaking chorus from The Frogs of Aristophanes!
Then I can hum a fugue of which I've heard the music's din afore, (bothered for a rhyme)b
And whistle all the airs from that infernal nonsense Pinafore.

Then I can write a washing bill in Babylonic cuneiform,
And tell you ev'ry detail of Caractacus's uniform:c
In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General.

In fact, when I know what is meant by "mamelon" and "ravelin",
When I can tell at sight a Mauser rifle from a Javelin,d
When such affairs as sorties and surprises I'm more wary at,
And when I know precisely what is meant by "commissariat",
When I have learnt what progress has been made in modern gunnery,
When I know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery �
In short, when I've a smattering of elemental strategy � (bothered for a rhyme)
You'll say a better Major-General has never sat a gee.e

For my military knowledge, though I'm plucky and adventury,
Has only been brought down to the beginning of the century;
But still, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General.
Score Key:
C major (Sounding Pitch) (View more C major Music for Piano )
Tempo Marking:
Allegro Vivace = 180 (View more music marked Allegro)
Time Signature:
4/4 (View more 4/4 Music)
Duration:
2:49
Number of Pages:
2
Difficulty:
Intermediate Level: Recommended for Intermediate Level players
Instrument:
Style:
Copyright:
© Copyright 2000-2024 Red Balloon Technology Ltd (8notes.com)
 


Your Comment



Close X

Thank you for trying the 8notes.com Audio & Transposition features

You have reached your limit for today.
Join 8notes PREMIUM for unlimited playback & transpositions
Individual Subscriptions:

Click here for more info on 8notes PREMIUM