Luces y Sombras (Light and Shadows)

Luces y Sombras (Light and Shadows) Description:

• Level: Early Intermediate
• Mood: Hopeful, Bittersweet
• Pages: 4 pages, 2 pages of music, cover included
• Format: Instant PDF download
• Studio Licence Bonus: Cover art, composer notes with mastery tips and “make it your own” suggestions
• Collections: Cinco de Mayo Inspired – Retellings

“Luces y Sombra” takes early intermediate piano players on a journey between hopeful light and bittersweet shadows.  This E minor piece transforms elements of the famous “La Bamba”.  This unique musical experience is full of flowing eighth notes and parallel motion. 

You’ll enjoy the creative freedom of choosing which hand carries the melody as you bring this piece to life.

Luces y Sombras Level:

The emotional range in “Luces y Sombra” moves from brightness to gentle melancholy, perfect for early intermediate players.  This piece appeals to piano players who enjoy storytelling through music while developing skills with tied notes and left-hand melody techniques.

• Mode: E minor (key signature)
• Time Signature: 4/4
• Concepts: Tied notes (including with dotted notes), 3-note chords in one hand, sharps, parallel 6th intervals (repeating), sixteenth notes, , left-hand melody, full scale fingering (cover nearly 3 octaves of the piano), 2 ledger lines, some chromatic patterns, fermata

“Luces y Sombra” features tied notes that create basic syncopation, including tied dotted notes for rhythmic interest.  Barred sixteenth notes are the smallest notes and add flowing movement.

The melody spans nearly three octaves using full scale fingering. Chromatic patterns add interest and lightness throughout.  Players can decide to keep the melody in the left hand or move it to the right hand partway through!

The accompaniment alternates between chord bridges and three-note chords played in varied patterns, creating a rich harmonic foundation.

Luces y Sombras Bonus:

All sheet music has original cover art.  “Luces y Sombras” includes composer notes that include mastery tips and “make it your own” suggestions to develop an individual interpretation.

More About “Cinco de Mayo Inspired – Retellings”:

“Luces y Sombras” is part of the “Cinco de Mayo Inspired – Retellings” that invites early intermediate players to experience Mexico’s musical heritage through four crafted piano solos.  The collection transforms mariachi, son, ranchera, and norteño music into authentic piano pieces.

This collection includes:

• “Mi Cielito Perdido” (My Lost Love): An introspective journey through Ranchera’s emotional landscape with flowing melodies that evoke memories of lost love.
• “Luces y Sombra” (Light and Shadows): A bittersweet dance between light and shadow inspired by son jarocho, featuring melodies that switch between hands.
• “El Mariachi Animado” (The Lively Mariachi): A lively celebration of mariachi’s joyful spirit with playful harmonies and energetic rhythms that make you smile
• “Sorpresa del Minuet Norteño” (The Surprise Norteño Minuet): An unexpected fusion of norteño music with classical influences featuring trumpet-like parallel melodies.

What Is a Studio Licence?

When you purchase “Luces y Sombras” you get a studio-licence PDF of the piece.  This piece is sent digitally via an email receipt.  If you have a multi-teacher studio, please contact Rosemarie directly for additional licenses.  Thanks!

A studio licence is a great way to stretch your studio repertoire budget.  Purchase music once and use it for years (even decades) with students you directly teach!  For online teachers, if you share the piece during online lessons, students must print it immediately and not retain an electronic copy of the piece.

For more information on your studio licence, check out the Terms and Conditions page.

When you purchase a collection of piano solos, everything (sheet music, piece descriptions and “Composer Notes”) is placed in one PDF for easy access.  As a bonus, you also get each piece in the collection as a separate PDF for students who will only play one piece.

Should I Print All the PDF Pages?

Yes!  Each page is designed with the piano player in mind.

• Cover art
• Music
• Description, composer notes/tips for pianist to make it their own, terms of use

Students love a bit of cover art.  It can help them get into the mood and story of a piece.  I’ve included ways to adapt or play with the music so students become part of the creative process.

The copyright and licensing terms are included to ensure you know the terms of your licence.  Your license means this product can be printed, but not shared.  However, if you are a piano teacher, check the “Shop Terms of Service” for user-specific ways you may use this product.