Beyond the Page: Easy tips for Christmas Piano Parties!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
It’s all about Christmas right now in my Studio. Students are asking for their favorite tunes and they love playing them together with friends and family. This year we were so busy with our Halloween recital, we decided to pass on the Christmas recital and instead, go with group lessons for our last week of December - Piano parties!
The Plan: Every student will prepare 1 Christmas arrangement to perform for the group, next they will prepare 1 Christmas tune from a lead sheet, and then we will sight read some Christmas ensembles. And of course, you gotta have cookies!
Tip: Create your own Lead Sheets.
Introduce a Christmas tune from a beginner book - (find one for Right Hand only). Then add simple note(s) or chords that work. Ask students to use their ear to find this note, or introduce the concept of “What key is this in, and what are the chords that go with this note, like C Major: C chord, F, and G7 - lots of learning right there.
Tip: Make it an Ensemble.
Let’s get everyone in on the fun! Divide up the elements of an arrangement: melody, harmony, bass line, and accompaniment and assign these to different players.
Too busy to come up with all these details? GET it here:
Creative Christmas: Six Carols for Ensembles
Multi Level and JR- for Elementary Bundle. (Studio License) Contents:
Joy to the World; Away in a Manger; Deck the Halls; Jingle Bells; Silent Night; and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (15 Pages) Each Carol is 2 Pages. Includes FREE BACKING TRACKS (included with purchase)
This Collection contains simple 1 hand parts that can be easily combined in many creative ways- these are……. Read more
Who is this for? Elementary to Advanced.
What does it include?
*Simple Melody line
*Chord symbols/Chord accompaniment
*Bass line
*Higher Counter Melody
*Teacher Accompaniment OR Backing Tracks
*Example Solo Arrangement
Great for group lessons or individuals (play with Teacher or Backing Tracks)
Want to hear more about this Creative Idea? WATCH NOW.
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Continue the creative fun with Christmas Lead Sheets…
NEW! 20 Favorite Christmas Songs: How to Play Lead Sheets - a Method Book with Step by Step Instructions for Elementary and Beyond. Studio License (Buy the file ONCE and share it with ALL YOUR Students!)
Sill looking for more Christmas options?
*Sweet & Sassy Solos for Christmas (a collection of 9 pieces for Recitals, and more!)
*Solos for the Sanctuary (a collection of 9 pieces for Preludes, Offertories, or Postludes)
*Christmas Favorites Vol. 1 The Bells of Christmas Night - for Late Elementary (6 favorites, including Carol of the Bells)
*The First Noel a contemplative piece for Early Intermediate
*Joy to the World (as a Salsa!) -available in several versions: Multi Level Piano Ensemble, Intermediate Solo, Early Intermediate Duet, Late Elementary Solo and Easy Piano. FREE BACKING TRACKS in 3 different tempos.
I’d love to hear from you!
I am inspired by teachers, students, and pianists like YOU! Many of my compositions come from suggestions & requests. Let me know, I’d love to help.
Piano Sheet Music to Inspire
Susan Staples Bell
Pianist + Teacher + Composer + Creative
Fun for all Ages! Here are 3 generations playing Joy to the World from Creative Christmas!
Multi Level group of my students sight reading Jingle Bells from Creative Christmas!
Looking for nice, easy to read arrangements for your students? Check out Christmas Favorites.
“It's always a true delight to play and teach Susan's music. This collection is no exception! Beautifully created and I can't wait to introduce it to students this Fall!”
Or maybe some Winter themed pieces?
*When Winter Comes from Castle Tales
*FROST on my Window for Late Elementary
*Ice Crystals full of mystery, and teaches the Soft pedal
*ICE FOG a dramatic piece to explore the beauty of expressive playing.
*Darkest Coldest Night more drama!
*Coventry Carol NEW Educational Lead Sheet and Creative!
