Student Original Piano Compositions - Part 2

From time to time, I will be adding videos of my students performing a composition they have written. Each student is at a different stage in their learning process, and several students have learning challenges. But, each one of these students has learned to create music that they and their families can be very proud of. In my student's compositions, I give them plenty of "wiggle room" when it comes to musical form. I give them a basic chord progression, but they can add additional chords into their music and "go outside the box" -- as long as it sounds good to them. Through this process, they are learning how to "hear" what sounds good together, as well as learning the theory behind WHY it sounds that way. The students learned how to write their compositions from my book "Chord Piano Is Fun!" I hope you enjoy these videos!

You can see Part 1 of Student Compositions by clicking HERE.

"Russian Rainfall” by Audrey F.

This haunting song is called "Russian Rainfall" and was composed by Audrey F., one of my 12 year old students. It is written in the key of A Minor. We hope you enjoy it!

See more videos at Chord Piano Chick... 

 

 

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T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.

Thanksgiving, Chord Songs, and Christmas

I love the start of the "season"...first Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Years.  I know some people don't like it, but I like listening to Christmas music early -- which is a good thing, because I'm giving Christmas music to students early enough for them to play for family on Thanksgiving.  This is their request. And, the parents love it -- as do the kids themselves.

A wonderful way to get kids to play a lot of Christmas songs, is by teaching them to play by chord.   I've included several Christmas songs that are written with chord symbols with Chord Piano Is Fun!  This way, they can play the melody with their right hand and the chord with their left, without having to read any notes in the left hand.  I also have the students try different left hand patterns to make the Christmas songs sound even more professional, and they get so excited to be able to play 4 or 5 songs right away and learn a few more at home after getting their Christmas music "packet".   Christmas music is a great way to teach chord piano, because they are motivated to play it because they want to be able to perform it for their loved ones.

If you haven't checked out my book, please do so!  It's a great way to learn how to play your favorite Christmas carols yourself, or if you are a teacher, to teach your students!

We all have so much to be thankful for.  I thank God for the gift of music!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.