Piano students love to learn and play music that sounds familiar to them. In Old MacDonald had the Blues you will discover a fusion of well-known tunes and popular musical styles. Clever and fun, these pieces will inspire your late elementary and early intermediate students.
The collection is based on songs children have been singing for ages. In choosing the pieces, I wanted to be able to twist the music as well as the titles. To my ear, The Wheels on the Bus was just begging to be set to Ragtime, while Jack and Jill sounded like a California beach groove just waiting to happen. Familiarity with the traditional songs will help students get the humour of the arrangements.
From a pedagogical point of view, the collection offers a first-rate introduction to the rhythms and technical characteristics of today's popular styles. Piano students can try their hand at Jazz, Blues, Soft Rock, Ragtime, Latin, and more. These popular styles are part of everyday life and should be included in every piano student's repertoire as you help them establish a strong foundation in music.
Rebekah Maxner