“Yankee Doodle” dates back at least to the American Revolution, and the tune may be centuries older than that. The familiar tune lends itself well to teaching a new pianist dotted quarter note rhythms. This arrangement uses primary chords to support the catchy melody.
While not originally associated with Christmas, “What Child Is This?” and many other holiday carols are set to this English folk melody. The beautiful, lilting tune is arranged here with a simple, single-note bass line accompaniment. Greensleeves lends itself well to teaching a new pianist about dotted quarter note rhythms and minor melodies.
“Gwine to Run All Night, or De Camptown Races” is a minstrel song by Stephen Foster. This arrangement captures the excitement of old-time horse races and teaches dotted quarter note rhythms, arpeggio fingering (RH), and LH/RH coordination while playing different articulations and rhythms. (Lyrics have been adapted slightly.)
The catchy melody of this western American folk ballad adds levity to the sad tale of a young Clementine drowning and her lonely miner father joining her. Their story lives on, and poor Clementine is not forgotten! Each verse of this arrangement builds in complexity with added accompaniment and stronger dynamics until the final, softly echoed refrain.
This traditional English nursery rhyme dates back at least to the 1600s. Each verse suggests a new way to “fix London Bridge”, although nothing seems to work! This arrangement teaches I/V7 chords and helps beginner students recognize parallel motion versus contrary motion.
A playful-sounding French Canadian children’s song arranged in swinging sing-song style for beginner piano. The melody in this arrangement occasionally hops back and forth from right hand to left hand, just like the subject of the song (the morning lark). For non-French speakers, the lyrics speak of revenging oneself against the lark, who interrupts sleep and represents gossip, mistrust, and bad news!
This arrangement comes in two different versions: one in C Major and one transposed to G Major. The Single-User License is available in either key. The Studio License comes with both versions.
Pianists of any age can fall in love with this beautiful American folk song. This arrangement for beginner piano flows just like the wide Missouri and is written with ties to help beginner pianists identify their mid-beat entrances. Because the right hand melody travels, the left hand accompaniment remains in a familiar 5-finger hand position for stability.
This traditional Japanese folk song highlights the fragrant pink cherry blossoms that cover the landscape of Japan in spring. This beginner arrangement emphasizes the unique melody with simple accompaniment. Hand movement, dynamics, and other music symbols give it an element of complexity to make it look and sound impressive for recitals and performances.
“Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry…” This beautiful American lullaby softly lulls listeners to a sleep filled with dreams of pretty little horses. This short arrangement performs well for first recitals and is a great way to introduce first-year piano students to melodies in a minor key.