First Snow

First Snow Description:

• Level: Elementary (rote) to Late Elementary (reading) … recommend teaching by rote.
• Pages: Pages: 5 pages, 2 pages of music, cover included
• Format: Instant PDF download
• Studio Licence Bonus: Cover art, tips and ideas for students
• Collections: The First Winter

“First Snow” is an elementary to late elementary piece that evokes memories of the first snow of the season!  With a focus on repeating patterns and sequences, this piece works well for teaching by rote or a mix of rote with note-reading.

First Snow Level:

“First Snow” is an elementary to late elementary level piano solo.  The piece was designed to be easily taught by rote with clear patterned sections or a mix of rote (left-hand chord bridges) with note-reading (3-note melody in right-hand).  The pedal is held throughout to create the sensation of gentle, swirling snow.

• Mode: C Major
• Time Signature: 3/4
• Concepts: chord bridges, eighth notes, slight hand position changes, 8va and 8vb

Starting finger numbers are written in, as well as when hand position must move.  While there are eighth notes written in the score, they function much like alternating quarter notes with the right-hand.  This is a section that would benefit from rote teaching.

Much of this piece contains a simple 3-note ostinato for the melody and chord bridges.  Memorizing the whole-note, chord bridge ostinato will allow students to focus on reading the melody and switching octaves as needed.

First Snow Bonus:

All sheet music comes with original cover art.  “First Snow” also comes with tips for students to master the piece.

More About “The First Winter” collection:

“First Snow” is part of “The First Winter” collection that is designed for beginner students of various ages.  Pieces are a mix of rote and level-appropriate note-reading at the elementary to late elementary (rote elements only) pieces.  These pieces fit under the “sound harder they they look” category and several of the pieces are showstoppers for Winter recitals letting beginners of all ages feel like their pieces compare to much more advanced students.

Piece found in “The First Winter” collection are:

• First Snow: Elementary to late elementary rote/note-reading showstopper for Winter recitals.
• The Blizzard: Elementary to late elementary rote/note-reading piece that brings the mystery and drama of a blizzard to Winter recitals.
• Jake’s Fishing Adventure: Elementary piece that captures the playful nature of Jake the dog as he goes ice fishing with his family.
• Snowflake And Rex’s Cookie Caper: Late elementary level story-based piece in which students explore creating stealth movement and circular wrist motions as they build drama throughout the song.

What is a studio licence?

When you purchase “First Snow” 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 licences.  Thanks!

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

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

If you purchase a collection you will need a program to open zip files to access all pieces within the collection.

Should I print all pages for students?

Yes!  Each page is designed with students in mind.

• Page 1: Cover art
• Page 2: Description, tips for students to make it their own, terms of use
• Page 3+: Music
• Last page: Other music they may like

Students love a bit of cover art since 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 terms of use are there to educate students and their families about copyright law.  We know, but they may not realize what they are innocently doing may cause you to lose your studio licence.

Lastly, having other pieces at a similar level can keep students excited about what the next song in their musical journey can be!