NOTES L2: 1 2 3 4 5 | L3: 1 | L4 | Other
Down in the Valley
Key: C Major
Chords in piece: C F G7
Timing: 3/4
BPM: 98–112
Moderato: The Italian musical command moderato is an indication to play in a reasonable, moderate tempo.
Large Roman numerals denote major chords.
Block chords occur when all of the notes of a chord are played simultaneously in one solid “block”.
Broken chords occur when the notes of a chord are not played simultaneously.
Pay attention to ties across the tops of notes, denoting a music phrase.
Pay attention to playing the piece gradually softer (diminuendo) or gradually louder (crescendo).
There are some dotted rests, which receive 1 count.
Tumbalalaika
Key: A Minor
Chords in piece: Am Dm E7 F
Timing: 3/4
BPM: 112-124
Allegro Moderato: The Italian musical phrase allegro moderato is an indication to play in a moderately quick tempo; on the slow side of allegro.
C Major and C Minor are relatives, because they have the same key signature.
Small Roman numerals denote minor chords.
Pay attention to playing the piece gradually softer (diminuendo) or gradually louder (crescendo).
Piece introduces using the pedal.
Light and Blue
Key: C Major
Chords in piece: C F G7
Timing: 4/4
BPM: 90-100
There is the ‘Moderate blues tempo’, which…to a noob pianist is confusing. I believe the authors could have done much better at defining terms, especially ambiguous tempo terms. Upon doing some research, I believe 90-100 bpm is acceptable.
8va: play 1 octave higher.
8th notes are played unevenly, which I find open to interpretation.
The authors throw in a few rests.
There is some dotted notation for staccato notes, to be played everywhere except when slurred.
Ritardando (or rit.) is an indication to gradually decrease the tempo of the music (opposite of accelerando). The length of a ritardando is extended by a dashed, horizontal line; and, if applicable, the previous tempo may be restored with the commands tempo primo or a tempo. Some of the sheet music is a little schizophrenic when it comes to using naming conventions. In some areas, the authors will use the full spelling, in others…use a non-conventional abbreviation.
Technique Passing right hand, finger 1…under finger 2.
Roman Holiday
Key: C Major
Chords in piece: C F G7
Timing: 4/4
BPM: 112-124
Allegro Moderato: The Italian musical phrase allegro moderato is an indication to play in a moderately quick tempo; on the slow side of allegro.
mf (mezzo-forte): meaning moderately loud—more
p (piano): means plays quiet—more
D.C. al Fine: means repeat from the beginning.
Fine: marks the end of a composition.
Technique Passing right hand, finger 1…under finger 3.
Morning has Broken
Key: F Major
Chords in piece: F B-flat C7
Timing: 3/4
BPM: 98–112
Key signature: 1 flat, or B-flat
Moderato: The Italian musical command moderato is an indication to play in a reasonable, moderate tempo.
mp (mezzo-piano): means moderately quiet—more
Block chords occur when all of the notes of a chord are played simultaneously in one solid block.
Technique Finger substitution: when you change finger position on same note. In this piece, you change from 5 to 4 on the right hand.
Technique Extended position: means that you will extend your hand beyond the regular five-finger position.
La Raspa
Key: F Major
Chords in piece: F B-flat C7
Timing: 6/8, means 6 beats per measure.
BPM: 120–156
Key signature: 1 flat, or B-flat
Allegro: fast, quick, and bright.
Accelerando: gradually faster.
Accelerando poco a poco al fine: gradually faster little by little to the end.
8th note receives 1 count.
Quarter note receives 2 counts—“1-2”
Dotted quarter note receives 3 counts—“1-2-3”
Dotted half note receives 6 counts—“1-2-3-4-5-6”
8va: Play treble staff one octave higher.
To the next strain: means the music is played differently from first time, versus the second time. Pay attention to each strain, usually marked with a ‘1’ or ‘2’ above the staffs.
sf (sforzando): sudden accent. ‘sf’ or ‘>’ (marked near note head). Accent: emphasis on a particular note.
D.C. al Fine: means repeat from the beginning.
Fine: marks the end of a composition.
Scherzo
Key: D Minor
Chords in piece: Dm Gm A7 F B-flat
Timing: 6/8, means 6 beats per measure. I don’t know why, but I seem to have issues using a metronome on 6/8.
Key signature: 1 flat, B-flat
Andante Moderato: between andante and moderato (92–98 bpm).
Allegro: fast, quick, and bright (120–156 bpm).
pp (pianissimo): meaning very quiet—more
ff (fortissimo): meaning very loud—more
f (forte) meaning loud or strong—more
mf (mezzo-forte): meaning moderately loud—more
F major and D minor are relatives because they share the same signature of 1 flat, B-flat.
Both hands 8va: play specified lower and upper staffs one octave higher.
Scherzo: means a musical jest or joke.
Technique Where there is a solid line drawn from lower staff to upper staff, play treble note with the left hand. This is a crossover technique.
Festive Dance
Key: D Minor
Chords in piece: Dm Gm A7 F B-flat C7
Timing: 4/4
Key signature: 1 flat, B-flat
BPM: 120–156
Allegro: fast, quick, and bright.
mf (mezzo-forte): meaning moderately loud—more
staccato: characterized by performance in which the notes are abruptly disconnected.
loco: used to cancel a previous octave command such LH staccato, or 8va.
D.C. al Fine: means repeat from the beginning.
Fine: marks the end of a composition.
Pay attention to playing the piece gradually softer (diminuendo) or gradually louder (crescendo).
Pedal bars can be seen under the staves: l______________l
Technique To achieve a good staccato, don’t use the pedal, and play the note quickly.