
ADVANCING Artistry
ADVANCING Artistry will be devoted to arrangements at the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL of play; artistically done with the the goal of providing a truly artistic arrangement that is not at a yet professional level of play.
These arrangements are written with the teen students in mind giving them music that will satisfy their maturing tastes. But, they are also written for adults desiring music that's well written, but not at a professional level.
It is my hope that these arrangements will provide you with great musical satisfaction.
SHEET MUSIC PLUS
Copyrighted Music
Sheet Music PLUS, one of the major sheet music outlets on the world wide web has offered a great opportunity for its arrangers, like myself, by procuring copyrights for many popular copyrighted songs to apply our arranging skills.
I plan on making arrangement of many selections from old standards, popular songs and Broadway musicals for Sheet Music PLUS and I will also be displaying them here on this page.
Since these selections are copyrighted they must be purchased directly from the Sheet Music PLUS website and if you click on the BLUE BUTTON icon you will be automatically directed to the exact page on the Sheet Music PLUS web site for purchase.
I hope you take advantage of these wonderful selections and find places to use them in your teaching repertoire, at recitals and auditions.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long
Feed the Birds
Do Re Mi
Do Re Mi from Sound of Music - Rogers and Hammerstein
I arranged Do Re Mi in a very straightforward manner. Draw a bit of attention to the accented notes in the bass clef to counterbalance the melody. This arrangement can be effective at many different tempos as long as it is joyful in its expression. Have fun!!
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Feed the Birds - Richard and Robert Sherman
Here's an easy arrangement of Feed the Birds from Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. A wonderfully expressive piece of the simple beauty of childhood wonder. Great recital piece. Also a great piece for teaching an earlier intermediate student "a singing line".
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..... a great novelty song
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Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long
Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long is a very humorous song about a tailor that made a client a perfect outfit except for one minor detail, ..... the pants were too long!!
This song follows the pattern of a Recitative-Aria. The first dozen bars are rather declamatory exclaiming the problem. This story is immediately elaborated in the shuffle rhythm of the song.
This arrangement tries to capture the humor and irony of the lyrics. A good performance will require a lot of wit and dynamism. The Recitative can be done very freely, but the Song (Aria) need to keep a steady rhythm with a lot of punch at the climax points. Play the middle section of the song in a more relaxed manner and in the final repetition of the main theme be your most expressive. End strong.
This arrangement therefore has a lot of teaching value making students use their imagination in crafting a good interpretation and telling a story. Sam , You Made the Pants Too Long is a great novelty piece for a number that would especially stand out at a recital. It's also a great piece for a social gathering.
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Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - Richard and Robert Sherman
I arranged this Mary Poppins classic for the late elementary/early intermediate piano student. I would make for a terrific recital piece!! Allow Mary Poppins work her magic with your piano students!
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The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Christmas Time is Near) - by Ross Bagdasarian
The Chipmunk Song -- Christmas Christmas Time is Near is probably the most popular song associated with "Alvin and the Chipmunks". This student arrangement is in a waltz rhythm and gives the student a chance to make the piano "sing". The left hand chords never stretch beyond a 7th. It is also a great selection to give to a student in preparation of Christmas but could be learned any time throughout the year.
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Blowin' in the Wind by Bob Dylan
Here's an arrangement of Bob Dylan's very popular Blowin' in the Wind. It is a protest song of the 1960's on the themes of peace, war and freedom.
This folk styled arrangement is mid intermediate level, but it's presentation is such that it can be used in amateur settings.
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I think this arrangement is useful for recitals, auditions, and any friendly gathering of friends; or just for personal enjoyment.