Pachelbel's Canon in D for BeginnersThe Pachelbel Canon in D for beginners, free printable sheet music -- only this version is arranged in the key of C.This is the beautiful music, I tell young beginners, that you often hear in movies and in real life at weddings, when the bridesmaids are walking down the aisle. Floating-on-clouds music! For beginners, this piece really needs to be in the key of C. Here are the two simplest
versions I offer.
(Go to the page with the longer, harder versions.)
Here's what a kid still scared of high treble clef notes may do once they get home: They may look at the bold letter "C" above the first treble clef note, vaguely remember that you did say the first RH (right hand) note is a "C", and so the RH note in the second measure (there where the letter G appears) MUST be a G...even though it doesn't sound right...and the note in the third measure must be A, etc. Yes, IT HAPPENS. Even with students who know better. And they play it that way all week, firmly cementing in that habit. If they don't fall into that trap, they may slip into the other pitfall of assuming the piece is in "C position," not bother to read the notes, and just play "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" etc. starting on "g, f, e, d, c" all week long. Yuck! They'll wonder how the piece lost its magic. What makes the Canon doubly hard for beginners is that... ...the LH keeps moving around -- not like their lesson books! ...kids usually EXPECT to place both hands in "C position" -- that is, with both hands' bottom fingers on C. You can blame their method book for this shortcoming, or you can blame yourself! But it's a problem you have to work at again and again with young notereaders. Try assigning just the first 8 measures in week one, chords only. Make sure those chords are solid before starting the RH. This second version is still easy, but very pretty with the broken chords.
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Elania:
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My son is hooked...I've been introducing piano to my son on and off for a year or so, but he's not had much interest. Then I gave him "Monsters Everywhere". He loved playing it with the organ sound on our piano. He memorized it that week and I'm printing off the other Halloween songs to keep him going. I love the detailed instructions on teaching since he is my first student! Thanks so much.
Dana:That is so neat that your son has experienced the magic and mystery of music through this little song. That is so exciting to me. Thanks for writing, Kim!
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Marta:
Thank you for the free downloads! I'm a private teacher and I teach piano and beginner voice as well. :) I've been running my studio for about a year and I've come across the same issue; I don't want my students to have to purchase an entire supplemental book for only a couple of songs. So thank you for this site...some great downloads!!
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Thank you so much. I know this will be a big help to me and my students.
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