Northern Lights

Northern Lights Description:

• Level: Late Elementary (rote), Early Intermediate
• Pages: 5 pages, 2 pages of music, cover included
• Format: Instant PDF download
• Studio Licence Bonus: Cover art, tips to help students learn the piece
• Collections: Scenes Of Winter

“Northern Lights” is a late elementary (rote) to early intermediate piece that creates an ethereal moodscape in a Mixolydian mode.  While living in Northern Canada, I had the joy of seeing the Northern Lights.  The swirling, colourful lights created a timeless moment of peace, serenity and awe. 

Your students can learn this pattern-based piece by rote or use a hybrid approach of note-reading and rote.  It’s also perfect for the student that wants something that sounds hard, but is much easier than it sounds for your studio’s Winter recital!

Northern Lights Level:

“Northern Lights” is an early intermediate piano solo that is perfect for teen to adult students. To create the swirling soundscape, students will hold the pedal down the entire song.  To ensure it doesn’t sound muddled, dynamics play a big part in helping the sound ebb and flow throughout the piece.

• Mode: A Mixolydian
• Time Signature: 4/4
• Concepts: sharps and natural, 2 ledger lines, 8va and 8vb, chord bridges

For students that have a good ear, you can teach the left-hand patterns by rote at a late elementary level.  Or, this could be a ‘quick win’ piece for early intermediate that still sounds great at a recital.

Northern Lights Bonus:

All sheet music comes with original cover art.  “Northern Lights” comes with tips for students to master the piece.

More About “Scenes Of Winter”:

“Northern Lights” is part of the “Scenes Of Winter” collection that is designed for intermediate students of various ages.  Music in this collection focuses on creating a picture, moment, or mood.  These are all great level-appropriate Winter recital pieces that are sure to be a hit with students and the audience alike.

Pieces found in the “Scenes Of Winter” collection are:

• Northern Lights: Late elementary (rote) to early intermediate level piece that creates an ethereal moodscape in a Mixolydian mode.
• Tracks In The Snow: Early intermediate level piece with simple chord combinations that create a range of moods throughout.
• Winter At The Cabin: This playful late intermediate piece focuses on the nostalgia of family time at the cabin.
• Light Dancing In The Dark: Late intermediate piece with a cinematic feel.

More About The “Snow Fairies” Collection:

To round out your studio’s intermediate level, Winter-themed repertoire, consider the “Snow Fairies” collection that is designed for intermediate to early advanced students.  These pieces focus on artistry within simplicity and include a relaxed listening mood with a bit of nostalgia.  If you are looking for recital pieces that will appeal to teen and adult students, this is a great collection to go with!

Pieces found in the “Snow Fairies” collection are:

• Lullaby Of The Snow Fairies: Soothing, lyrical intermediate piece that started the moodscape of the entire collection!
• Last Dance Of The Snow Fairies: Early intermediate piece that is a melancholy dance that is a study of voicing and dynamics.
• Snow Fairies Under The Moonlight: Relaxed early advanced piece inspired by LoFi music and studying different types of chords.

What is a studio licence?

When you purchase “Northern Lights” 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!