Foundation Songs
Retiring songs from playlist
I’m preparing to allow students to retire some pieces from their playlists. I’ve purchased TTMs through Level 9 so I’m familiar with the repertoire to that point. In the Development levels, are there any pieces that build on Foundation pieces? The Gaz and Fur Elise.…
Church Song – Foundation 7
Do you require your students to keep Church Song (level 7) alive? This seems to be a hard one to keep alive even for myself. I have had to relearn it many times because of its ‘details’. I have to admit that I have used…
Fluff Pie variation
I was going over Fluff Pie (Foundation 3) and then tried to find the rest of it because not all of it was taught in F3. Where is the rest of it? Also, is there an easy way to search for a particular song’s name…
Greensleeves position 3
Something came up while I was teaching Greensleeves today. For RH position 3, I have always said thumb is on B. I taught a student only the positions the first week, and she came back and said “No, the thumb is on A”. I wasn’t…
Chester Chills Out variation
My 8-year-old came up with a cute but lovely variation of Chester Chills Out: LH the same but play RH “backwards” (top to bottom to top, then bottom-top for tailpiece). It makes excellent harmony. A few of my students caught on really well and love…
Student having trouble playing Night Storm
I have encountered a problem that is new for me. One of my students (8 years old) has trouble with the sets of two fingers in Night Storm. She can tell me which are the three sets of two and what to do with them…
Lullaby and Ode to Joy – simplified melody lines
Neil Moore, can you answer a question? Why do you leave off a melody note in Lullaby? A lot of my adults are adding it in because they (and me) have heard it that way. Seems like this could easily be added in at the end,…
Permission to print lyrics to SM songs
For a piano party or recital, do we have permission to print lyrics to SM foundation songs? I know the kids know the lyrics, but some non-coach parents, grandparents, and friends may not. I would love for people to sing along with accompaniment pieces especially.…
Incorporating sheet music when students are reading
I’m curious how to handle Foundation/Arrangements once studets are in Level 6 and up when we’re actively reading music at that point. Do I keep the music books closed and work with the pieces from a purely playing-based perspective since students should still watch the…
Star-Spangled Banner substitute songs
I have a pair of siblings in Level 2 who have asked to be exempted from learning the Star-Spangled Banner for religious reasons. I suggested a compromise: they would learn the chords, but SSB would be the only Accompaniment song I do not require they…