Supplemental Music: Finally, Classical, Sacred, and Christmas

 This is the post I've been looking forward to writing the most! Today we're going to talk about the music I'm most familiar with. While you might not think it's that exciting, for me, it is. Today we're going to take a look at classical and sacred music! 

   If you haven't read the other two posts in this series, click here for technique and note-reading resources, and click here for soundtrack and jazz recommendations. 

   Again, all of the Sheet Music Plus links are affiliate. 

Classical Music

   A lot of classical music is not within the playing range of beginners -- with exception of a few famous themes, like the Ode to Joy. (The site I just linked to has a lot of great, free sheet music for beginners -- some folk, some classical, some sacred, and some original compositions. I use it a lot and highly recommend it!) However, luckily for young pianists, there are a lot of classical tunes that have been abridged to make them easier to play!

   My first introduction to playing classical music was through The Library of Easy Piano Classics. These are not just piano classics that have been abridged, but orchestral and opera selections arranged for piano, as well as several of Stephen Foster's songs. Through this book, I received my introduction to many of the great composers: Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and many more. The songs are organized by composer: all the Beethoven pieces are together, all the Grieg pieces, etc. It's a well-rounded book, with, if I'm not mistaken, over a hundred selections, so there is something for everyone there! (I inserted the link to Book 2 because I played out of Book 2 as a kid. As you figured out already, there is a Book 1, and it's listed as "Frequently Bought Together" on the same page. Take your pick; I'm sure they're both great!) This book is great for Levels 3-6. 

   Another excellent book is A First Book of Classical Music. (There's another book by the same publisher called A First Book of Classical Composers. Both are very similar, and both are good resources.) It's not nearly as thick as The Library of Easy Piano Classics, which is advantageous in price and, perhaps, not being so intimidating, but also means that you have less selections. I think it's also slightly easier -- I would not hesitate recommending this to a Level 2 student, or even a motivated Level 1 student. Also, there is a small paragraph at the start of each piece, giving a bit of history behind the piece and its composer. I think that's a great thing! It helps the student develop musical appreciation and understanding to know about the history behind the music. 

   Most classical music in its original form is intended for advanced performers. However, Robert Schumann was a father as well as a composer. I'm not entirely sure that he wrote Album for the Young specifically for his children to play, but I do know he had his children in mind when he composed these short little pieces. And I know that, after his mental breakdown and death, his wife Clara, his biggest supporter and an impressive performer and composer herself, faithfully taught his music to their children as part of their musical training. I've been sight reading my way through this album over the summer. They are charming pieces with imaginative titles, very suitable for Levels 3-6. Even a Level 7 student would probably enjoy some of the pieces as something a bit easier to work on. 

Sacred Music

   Many of the older method books also have accompanying sacred music books. In short, there's a lot out there, so I'll try to make it quick....

   The Church Musician, by David Glover, is a series that I'm only mildly familiar with, owning the Primary and Level 8 books of a much-older edition. However, what I've seen in it, I like. He doesn't just give the hymns; he uses sacred music as a teaching tool. I think that's pretty neat, especially for someone who really just wants to be able to play the sacred music that they love. They are graded, so can correspond with the students' playing level. 

   The books that I grew up using were Bastien's Popular Hymns. I think they're great books! They're pretty basic, presenting the hymns, again, at a graded level with the students' playing. Each grade has a different selection. I learned many older, not-so-familiar hymns through these books, until I hit Level 4 where the books stopped and my teacher had me start playing straight out the hymnal. 

   If you're more into praise and worship than hymns, Alfred's Praise Hits is a good alternative. From the one book that I purchased, these tend to have more of the praise and worship classics, which makes it easier not to wind up with music that's dated and that no one's singing anymore. 

Christmas Music

   It may be strange... but though I love Christmas music, a lot of what I've taught students have been pieces I either downloaded online for free or arranged myself. Subsequently, and very ironically, I don't have a lot of books that I can recommend! 

   However, one book that I just found last summer at a secondhand music sale was In Recital with Christmas from FJH. I just found out that it's also a graded book! I only have the beginner book. (The link goes to Book 2. I couldn't find Book 1 on Sheet Music Plus. Maybe I didn't look hard enough.) It has mostly the old sacred Christmas carols, but there's a few secular ones in there as well. 

   A while back, I got some interesting sample pages of Christmas music. Instead of being written on a staff, they were written with only the note names, making them ideal for beginners who haven't learned how to read on the staff yet. (That also means that the student has to use their ear to figure out the rhythm -- not a bad or a difficult skill to acquire!)  Cascade Method's Christmas Favourites are the books I mean. While I think it's ideal for students who aren't skilled with the staff yet, as you can see, there is a Level 1 and a Level 2 book. It's about half-and-half sacred and secular, mostly focusing on Christmas favourites. 

   I wish I could remember the title of the Christmas book that a couple of my students have been playing out of ever since they started piano. It's a good book with about half-and-half of sacred and secular Christmas music, and the book has worked just as well for them in Level 3 as it did in the primer level. If I get the title, I'll update this post and include a link to it. 

Final Note: Free Downloads

   Most music that's in the public domain can be downloaded for free off multiple sites. Here are three that I know from experience to be good, and that adhere to copyright laws. 

Music for Music Teachers includes music for piano, guitar, and voice, and you can easily find the music by level. 

Piano Song Download is a site I wasn't aware of till last year, but my adult student found the hymn arrangements perfect for her beginner level of playing. I look forward to utilizing this site more in the future. 

IMSLP Music Library is particularly good for finding classical music. The sight is specifically for music that is now in the public domain. 

   Piano lessons start in about two weeks! If you're looking for a teacher, or maybe an accompanist, click here to get in touch with me!