MaxMusic eSheet Club 2022

Welcome to the MaxMusic Piano eSheet Club! It’s a monthly surprise package designed specifically to bring more joy to you and your students!

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“This has been amazing Rebekah! It’s so much fun to get new music the beginning of each month. Tremendous value! Thank you!!” ~ Tanis Cowan

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2022 eSheets by Level

Click on the titles below to access teaching resources:

• The listing by Level makes it easy to choose the best pieces for your students.
• Quick Links to the eSheet Downloads.
• Watch YouTube videos for examples of the music.
• Get helpful teaching hints.

Early Elementary / Primer Level

Moonlight When I Sleep | Bee on Her Bonnet | The Poo Emoji Sticker Song | The Party

Elementary Prep A

A Little Piece of History | Dribble and Pass | Higgledy-Piggledy

Elementary Prep B

Don’t Hurry, Be Hoppy

Late Elementary Level 1

Kaleidoscope Dream | On the Wind

Late Elementary Level 2

Spy Game | The Sleepover

Intermediate Level 4

Cold Snap!

Intermediate Level 5

Valse de Noël

Late Intermediate Level 6

Joy in the Morning

Early Advanced Level 7

Autumn Afternoon

December 2022 – Cold Snap!

Levels: US, Intermediate. AMEB, Level 3. ABRSM Level 3. RCM Level 4.

Download

Teaching hints

• Cold Snap is characterized by an infectious Cuban clave rhythm 1-2-3 / 1-2-3 / 1-2 and the percussive effect of snapping fingers.
• The name of the piece is a pun. In cold climates like mine in Canada, there can be ‘cold snaps’ in the winter — periods of time during which the temperature plummets well below the average. Just as quickly as the weather turns cold, it will snap back out of it, back to normal. It’s like the weather man is snapping the weather back and forth with the magic snap of his fingers.
• Sometimes composers are asked what came first — the music or the title? For me it can go both ways but in this case the title came first. I sat down at the piano with the title in mind and a definite idea that I wanted to include the snapping effect.
• It was so fun to take the idea of a cold snap and write a piece about it with snapping fingers.
• It’s a mystery to me why I use Latin sounds and rhythms in pieces about the cold. White Drift, White Frost on My Window and now Cold Snap! all follow this trend. Logically, Latin American music would best evoke thoughts of warm climates. When I set out to compose this piece, the dramatic, jazzy dissonances and Cuban clave rhythm were so compelling to me that I kept them to tell this musical story.

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November 2022 – Valse de Noël

Levels: US, Intermediate/Late Intermediate. AMEB, Level 4. ABRSM Level 4. RCM Level 5.

Download

Teaching hints

• Here’s an Intermediate (Level 5) waltz. I composed in December 1986 at the age of 13.
• It’s an original tune which has no musical connection to Christmas. I believe I titled it Valse de Noël simply because I composed it in December and thought the French title would sound fancier. It was likely inspired by the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker music, and/or the spooky story of Dickens’s Christmas Carol. My sister and piano teacher, Judy, and another local music teacher, Ross Thompson, organized a joint recital at Hantsport’s United Church. On the manuscript I wrote “Played at Christmas recital.”
• There’s big value in this piece for two reasons:
• 1) As repertoire. When I was younger I always loved learning music written by composers who were my age. Your tween and teen students may be extra excited to learn this waltz, knowing that it was composed by a teen. This piece gives opportunities for students to explore:
• tonic and dominant harmonies in A minor,
• broken chords in the LH in different patterns and inversions that fall under the hand,
• shaping melodic phrases.
• Note: The whole piece is pedalled. “Simile” means keep going in a similar fashion.
• 2) As a composition lesson. If you have a young composer in your studio, compare and contrast my teen and updated versions. This may help your young composer and help you to know how to challenge them.
• In my teen version I repeated the same LH broken I and V7 chords throughout, whereas in the updated version I’ve varied the inversions. This is more interesting! Challenge your students to keep up interest in their music by broadening their use of inversions of chords.
• In my teen version I invented new melodies for the different sections. This is a good start! But because I stuck with the same chords throughout the piece, it needed a little more harmonic travelling to keep up interest. In the updated version I’ve created new harmonic interest at measure 23 by exploring new and different chords in the LH. Challenge your students to discover all of the chords that complement a melody note. Make the melody note the root of a major or minor chord, the third, the fifth, and so on. Ask them to experiment until they find a sound that they like.

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October 2022 – Autumn Afternoon

Levels: US, Early Advanced. AMEB, Level 6. ABRSM Level 6. RCM Level 7.

Download

Teaching hints

• This slow jazz Early Advanced (Level 7) waltz gives opportunities for students to explore several techniques as developing pianists.
• Pacing the dynamics in the larger ABA form. The story of our Autumn Afternoon begins with an intro and A section with softer sounds of p and mp. These build to the descending slurred eighths in measure 17, which evoke thoughts of falling leaves. The contrasting B section lifts the music into the higher register with a return to softer sounds, mp, and a broken figure in the LH. The RH melody grows into a long scalar passage, like the wind. The apex of the piece is reached with the ascending chords in measures 39-40. The A section returns with the melody an octave higher. This gives the music a sense of ‘arrival’ and greater significance, like the urgency that is sensed in the autumn to prepare for winter.
• Shaping RH phrases. The melody beginning in measure four follows a phrase pattern of short phrase – short phrase – long phrase. This is similar to classical phrasing in sonatinas. Each slur wants to be shaped separately, with a delicate lean towards beat one. But all four slurs combine into one longer phrase, with the E ‘magnet’ note on measure 7 (beat one). As you begin the melody, know that you are being pulled towards that note, and shape the macro phrase to and from it. Throughout the piece, try to find the macro phrases and decide how to shape the smaller slurs and phrases into longer musical statements, thoughts and periods.
• LH shaping. Because there’s only one note on the downbeat and a three-note chord on beat two (and three keys are tricky to control on a beat that should be lighter), you’ll want to practice the LH separately to get a feel for the shaping. Play the single low note on beat one deeply into the key to give the music rhythmic and harmonic anchoring. Then play the chord on beat two with a light ‘up’ arm and wrist.
• LH accuracy with moves. Practice each move by ‘shooting hoops’. Rather than practicing multiple measures or hands together (similar to playing a game of basketball), treat each move like a single challenge (like practicing the skill of shooting hoops). Repeat each move, memorizing the distance from low note to chord. Then reverse this, practicing from each chord to the next low note.

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September 2022 – The Party

Levels: US, Early Elementary

Download

Teaching hints

• This piece encourages several kinds of learning, which makes it an exciting adventure for kids!

• Learning by reading notes. The music in the middle of the staff encourages your Early Elementary students to learn by reading notes that they know.

• Learning by rote. The octave moves on E-D-C encourage them to learn by rote. Kids aren’t expected to read these notes, some of which are well outside of their reading range. Even so, the notes are written loco (in their actual range) as reminders, because when notes look the way they sound it helps kids passively learn how reading actually works. These octaves happen on the white keys that surround the two black keys. The lemur, kangaroo and frog cards can be placed on the piano’s book rest high on the piano, positioned above the first octave’s keys as reminders on where to begin the octave moves.

• Learn by watching and listening. The optional two-note slurs are finger to finger and hand-to-hand. These were added after I taught the piece to several students and they wanted to play the music this way. It’s more natural to play with the slurs than without. But, still, they are optional. Copying physical movements like slurs is another kind of rote learning. I’d suggest not even explaining the slurs. Simply play the music with slurs and see how much your student picks up on. If they copy the slurs, great! If they don’t, no problem!

• There are small position shifts that makes the music easier.

• Instead of rests, words are whispered that prepare for the different positions. Help kids to whisper the words to a steady beat so they hold three “silent” beats in place of the whole rests.

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August 2022 – The Sleepover

Levels: US, Late Elementary. AMEB, 2. ABRSM, 2. RCM, 2.

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Teaching hints

• Here’s a piano thriller that tells the story of a sleepover. The night begins normally enough, but then there’s a slow realization among the sleepover guests that the host is a ghost!

• It comes with two versions to give you lots of options for your students!

• The version with lyrics is simplified, with only quarter notes in measures 6 and 8, as well as single LH notes through the passage in measures 9 – 11 (and the like on the second page).

• The version without lyrics has a few extra notes and may be for tweens and teens who want a fun and quick spooky piece to learn. Notice the added eighth notes in measures 6 and 8 and the diminished chords through measures 9 – 11. Even without the lyrics, the music is full of suspense!

• Explores storytelling with dynamics, accents, shaping two-note slurs and hand-over-hand movement across the keyboard.

• The trill special effect is on white key semitones. But don’t be tied to the exact number of notes or counting perfect beats. “Ad lib” means to wing it!

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July 2022 – Summer Songs: Moonlight When I Sleep; Bee on Her Bonnet; The Poo Emoji Sticker Song

Levels: US, Early Elementary. AMEB, Junior/Preparatory. RCM, Preparatory A.

Download

Teaching hints

Moonlight When I Sleep

• This piece is like a lullaby, about a child feeling safe and cozy at bedtime.

• Non-legato playing and reading in the middle of the grand staff. P (piano) dynamic. Quarter, half and whole notes.

Bee on Her Bonnet

• This piece is about feeling brave and living side-by-side peacefully with nature.

• Non-legato playing and reading in the middle of the grand staff. F (forte) sound. Beginner syncopation. Includes quarter, half, dotted-half and whole notes.

The Poo Emoji Sticker Song

• WARNING: This music comes with giggles. This piece is about feeling silly.

• Non-legato playing and reading in the middle of the grand staff. F (forte) sound. Beginner syncopation. Includes quarter, half, dotted-half and whole notes.

• Comes with a sheet explaining how to ask for parents’ permission to introduce such a silly song in piano lessons. Likely they’re already well aware that their kids giggle about the poo emoji.

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June 2022 – On the Wind

Levels: US, Late Elementary. AMEB, 1. ABRSM, 1. RCM, 1.

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Teaching hints

• Here’s a piece that gives you the feeling of soaring on the wind! The upward turns of the melody give the sensation of an eagle gliding on thermals. Explores pedal, tied low notes and phrases that extend through two legato note groupings.

• The left hand and pedal work in tandem, separate from the melody. This makes On the Wind an ideal introduction to (or study in) smooth pedal changes. Because of this, I’ve composed two versions.

• The first version is for two hands with quarter rests allowing time for the left hand and pedal to coordinate.

• The second version has half rests, making it possible for this piece to be played by one hand only. At times we’ve all needed one-handed music! When you’re in a pinch and a student is wearing a cast or has a sprain in one hand, let this piece come to your rescue. It is set at Level 1, but when played one-handed is appropriate for students Level 1 or higher.

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May 2022 – Kaleidoscope Dream

Levels: US, Late Elementary. AMEB, 1. ABRSM, 1. RCM, 1.

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Teaching hints

• Here’s a piece that reflects mesmerizing slow cascade of colours in a kaleidoscope as you turn it towards the light!

• Explores rolling eighths and dotted-quarters in 6/8 meter. Rhythms are limited to eighths and dotted-quarters. No quarter-eighth combinations.

• An ideal introduction to (or study in) 6/8 meter.

• If your student is new to 6/8, teach the key pattern on the piano by rote prior to introducing the notation. Let the student copy the feel of the rolling 6/8 first.

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April 2022 – Don’t Hurry, Be Hoppy

Levels: US, Elementary. AMEB, Preliminary. ABRSM, Initial. RCM, Prep B.

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Teaching hints

• Here’s a charming piece about bunnies who are encouraged to let go of worries and fears, and learn how to trust. This is written about my student, Penny, and her two bunnies, Binky and Cottonball.

• Ideal for spring, Easter or for any time of year (as spring and Easter aren’t specifically mentioned in the piece!).

• Explore the waltz style, two-note slurs, staccatos, accents, sharps, flats, harmonic fifths and thirds, crescendos and diminuendos and D.S. al Fine indications.

• Available with and without lyrics (both versions included). Because some students are “younger” and others are “older” at this level, I’ve included both to give you the choice.

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March 2022 – A Little Piece of History, Dribble and Pass, and Higgledy-Piggledy

US: Early Elementary; AEMB: Junior/Preparatory; RCM: Preparatory A.

Download

Teaching hints

A Little Piece of History

• This piece is in the Classical style and the broken C chords in the left hand are a very early intro to Alberti bass.

• Play with an elegant non-legato except for the three-note slurs.

• In line three the harmonies sound like hunting horns. Kids love the harmonies as hands play together.

Note: The YouTube recording differs from the eSheet, as the piece was edited slightly after the recording was made. The eSheet is correct.

Dribble and Pass

• Dribble and Pass lands in your studio for kids who love basketball!

• It’s a great chance to teach the contrasting touches of staccato and legato. The staccatos imitate the bouncing basketball, and the legato phrases are smooth like the arc of the ball through the air as it’s being passed from player to player.

• Teaches or reinforces reading the space Cs and navigating them on the piano keys.

Note: The YouTube recording differs from the eSheet, as the piece was edited slightly after the recording was made. The eSheet is correct.

Higgledy-Piggledy

• Explore contrasting touches of staccato and legato and reading up a step from middle and space C.

• The left hand at the end poses a challenge. Warm up each skip (3rd) separately, alternating fingers back and forth. When played through, ask students to sing, “Skip up, skip down, G.” I teach the ending first and then say, “Well, you just learned the hardest part. Now, let’s learn the rest.” This means my students are playing towards the part they know best.

• This piece comes in two versions. The version with lyrics has fewer dynamics, possibly for younger children. The version without lyrics has more direction with dynamics, possibly for kids who are too old for lyrics.

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February 2022 – Spy Game

Levels: US, Late Elementary. AMEB, 1. ABRSM, 1. RCM, 2.

Download

Teaching hints

• When there’s a top secret message to deliver or a letter to intercept and decode, enter the savvy spy who knows how to play by the rules of a different game! Spy music is jazzy, rhythmic, mysterious and fun to play.

• In this piece you’ll find repeating blues scale patterns, a steady pulse like a beating heart, and special missions for the right hand and left hand as both play the spy game.

• This Late Elementary piece can pivot to adventurous Level 1 students or Level 2 students who like lots of repetition. The levels are not marked on the sheets, themselves, so if you have an Early Intermediate student who is online and wants a quick win, why not pass this by them? (Don’t you find that with online lessons it’s better to stick to more accessible music?)

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January 2022 – Joy in the Morning

Levels: US, Late Intermediate. AMEB, 5. ABRSM, 5. RCM, 6.

Download

Teaching hints

• “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. … There was however, a night to endure before the morning dawned.” This text comes from Psalm 30. Joy in the Morning was also a novel by American author Betty Smith, one of my mother’s favourites, and a book I also read in my teens.

• Somehow, as I composed this piece these words kept coming to me. The global pandemic is one of the most difficult things we have collectively endured. Yet, after this dark time, I believe there will be more joy.

• Develop the sense of the long melodic line and shaping of the phrase as it leads forward to its apex point.

• Agogic accents are encouraged. When a move feels too far for the strict time, it’s okay to take your time.

• The left hand features closed and open chords in a semi-Alberti bass pattern.

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There’s nothing better than engaging your students with music they love to play, at the MaxMusic Club price!

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“Can’t wait for my monthly surprise! Super excited about this, Rebekah! :)” ~ Jennifer Foxx

“WOW what a deal!!!” ~ Tanis Cowan

“This is so pretty! I’ll be looking forward to new music from you every month. ~ Adrienne Alton-Gust

“Thanks for offering this again!” ~ Andrew Sims

“Looking forward to 2022’s selections!” ~ Adrienne Alton-Gust

“Thank you, Rebekah! My students love your music!” ~ Kathy Anderson

“Thank you very much for offering this music club!” ~ Ruth Peterson

“Love receiving the sheets every month, Rebekah! By the way, my student received lovely comments from the adjudicator at our Canada Music Week festival for your song, “The Way Back Home”. She commented…. a sensitive performance of this exquisite piece, you demonstrated a sincere connection with this piece.” ~ Marilyn Loosemore

“I’ve enjoyed the club so far — and am greatly appreciative of the price-point. :)” ~ Karen Long

“Looking forward to another year of delightful pieces!” ~ Brenda Powers

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