The Blizzard

The Blizzard Description:

• Level: Elementary (rote) to Late Elementary (reading)
• 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

Be transported to the middle of a blizzard in this elementary to late elementary piece.  The echo pattern of the dynamics builds the intensity of the storm.  This “sounds harder than it is” piece is perfect for helping beginner students of any age shine at your Winter recital!

The Blizzard Level:

“The Blizzard” is an elementary to late elementary level piano solo in 3/4 time.  Students will hold the pedal for the entire song to create the intensity of the storm.  Music is written as enclosed repeats to showcase the contrasting dynamics and building dynamics.

The initial motif is best taught by rote as it frees students up to focus on the crescendo.  Each phrase ends with a dotted half note (full measure note) to give students time to remember the next pattern.  There are 2 main reading patterns that are flipped in the second half of the song.  This is a great opportunity for students to explore how simply changing the direction of pitches changes the feel of the song.

• Mode: F melodic minor
• Time Signature: 3/4
• Concepts: flats, chord bridges, tied notes, RH moves hand position/LH stationary, 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.  Memorizing the 3 chord bridges within this song frees your students to read the right-hand melody.

The Blizzard Bonus:

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

More About “The First Winter” collection:

“The Blizzard” 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: 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 “The Blizzard” 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 it 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!