A Look Inside The Holiday Book
SAMPLE PAGES
Jolly Old St. Nicholas, 3 pages (with singing/clapping page), for very beginner, rote, or pre-reading piano.
Jolly old st. nicholas
This piece is an example of “black key notation,” arranged for very early beginners. These selections can be taught as rote pieces, or pre-reading, and can aid in elementary-level students’ tracking on the page, using pictorial representations rather than standard notation (they pick it up very quickly!). And, they sound good!
These are perfect for new students who begin just before the holidays!
Dreidel Song, 2 pages (with singing/clapping page), for very beginner, rote, or pre-reading piano.
DREIDEL SONG
This piece is an example of “letter name notation,” arranged for early beginners. These selections can be taught as rote pieces, pre-reading, and can aid in elementary-level students’ tracking on the page, using music alphabet / keyboard letter name representations rather than standard notation (they pick it up very quickly!). And, they sound good!
These are perfect for early elementary students who are learning to navigate the piano keyboard!
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, 2 pages, for beginner to late beginner piano.
GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN
This piece is an example of “scaffolded” standard notation. There is no time signature or key signature, and some letter names are written into the note heads. Repeated notes do not contain the letter names, so this helps students learn and memorize note names, and see patterns in the music. And, they sound good!
These can also be useful for students who have developed some keyboard playing facility but aren’t reading up to their playing level yet.
Over the River and through the Wood, 2 pages, for late beginner to early intermediate piano.
OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOOD
This piece is an example of easy standard notation. There are no note names written in, and there is a time signature, but there may be no key signature, but accidentals are written next to the note heads. Many of these songs and pieces include lyrics and solfege syllables (solfeggio or solfa, in “Moveable Do”). These pieces can help students bridge the gaps in reading standard music notation. And, they sound good!
These can also be useful for students who have developed some keyboard playing facility but aren’t reading up to their playing level yet, or who need to learn a nice piece quickly for the holiday recital!
A la Nanita, Nana, 2 pages, for intermediate piano.
A LA NANITA, NANA
This piece is an example of full standard music notation, for intermediate level piano students. Some of these songs and pieces include lyrics and/or solfege syllables (solfeggio or solfa, in “Moveable Do”), and some are piano arrangements (without the words to the song). Either way, they sound good!
Songs and pieces in this format range from late beginner to late intermediate levels.
I’ve Been Working on the Railroad (Levee Song), 3 pages, for late intermediate piano.
I’VE BEEN WORKING ON THE RAILROAD
This piece is an example of full standard music notation, for late intermediate level piano students. Some of these songs and pieces include lyrics and/or solfege syllables (solfeggio or solfa, in “Moveable Do”), and some are piano arrangements (without the words to the song). Either way, they sound good!
This piece begins at a “walking tempo” and each section accelerates a little faster and faster. It can be effective as a “something different” holiday selection or great for patriotic or Americana-themed recitals.
Songs and pieces in this format range from late beginner to late intermediate levels.