8-Bit Beginnings

• Level: Mid-Elementary/Late Elementary
• Pages: 12 pages, 5 short pieces with 10 pages of music, cover included
• Style: Inventive and Lively!
• Bonuses: mp3 performance recordings included + QR code to access recordings online
• Format: PDF instant download

8-Bit Beginnings is a truly unique set of 5 video-game inspired pieces that take the player on a series of side quests! This is the first set of “quests” in the Side Quests™ series – a series we think will become a firm favorite with gaming piano students. They even get to choose their own ending for one of the pieces!

What Level is 8-Bit Beginnings?

8-Bit Beginnings is a set of five mid- to late elementary piano solos. Every piece is in C Major. The entire set is carefully edited with pedagogical fingering and articulations, making them excellent teaching or recital pieces! Below are more pedagogical details about each piece in 8-Bit Beginnings.

More details on each piece:

To the Meadow with a Mallet is in common time. It features legato, staccato, and accent marks – perfect for reviewing articulations. The biggest interval is a fifth. The smallest note value is a quarter note. There are accidentals in the piece, such as the sound of the mallet on two black keys; these are easily teachable by Rote and Reading®. This piece does not feature pedaling.

Flufftop Clouds is written in triple meter. It has a relaxed waltz pattern. The smallest note value is a quarter note. The largest interval is a fifth. The motive involves the left hand occasionally crossing over the right. Legato pedaling is indicated, but changes are at the beginning of each line, making it a great piece for reviewing pedaling.

The Cave at the Edge of the Forest is written in common time. The character is strolling, indicated by peppy staccato notes. The smallest note value is the quarter note, and the largest interval is a fifth. When the character enters the cave, there is some pedaling, with just one lift of the foot!

Swimming with Shivering Sharks is written in common time. The smallest note value is the eighth note. The largest interval is a third. Both hands play in the bass clef. This piece features fun half steps and repetitive, small chromatic motives. The half steps and accidentals are easily taught by Rote and Reading®. Students will love the accented fortississimo ending!

Bass Bot is written in common time, but features a beginning section with shifting time signatures between triple meter and common time. The smallest note value is a quarter note. The largest interval is a fifth. There is pedal indicated sparingly in this piece, perfect for beginning pedalers. The student gets to choose their ending, either “Victorious!” or “Defeated!”

Bonus mp3, QR code, and 5 in 1!

With your purchase of the 8-Bit Beginnings studio license, you will receive bonus mp3 recordings of the pieces performed by Jason Sifford. You are permitted to send these example performance tracks to your students to help them learn the piece.

Plus, a QR code is included on the first page of the PDF (not pictured in the sample) so students can scan the code and it will take them directly to the performance recordings of the 5 pieces. This can help them be inspired and learn the piece even more effectively without you having to send the mp3 to them!

As with all our music, the fun cover is also included! This piece of music comes with 5 pieces (in 1).

What is the Studio License?

8-Bit Beginnings is delivered digitally (through your email receipt) and is studio licensed. This means that you can print and use these for any student that you directly teach for your entire lifetime of teaching.