- Level: Late elementary
- Pages: 5 pages, 3 pages of music, cover included!
- Style: Reflective
- Bonus: mp3 performance track + QR code to easily access recording online
- Format:PDF instant download
- Series: Sophisticated Rote and Reading®
There is something magical about the way things grow, and you can sense that almost child-like wonder while listening to Boysenberry. If you have ever picked a wild berry from a vine on a hot summer day and eaten it while it’s still warm from the sun, Boysenberry captures this enchantment! This piece can be taught by rote, reading, or a combination of both, allowing students at the late elementary level to play a piece that sounds nuanced and intricate.
What level is Boysenberry?
Boysenberry is a late elementary piece. It contains many of the flats in Db Major, but all accidentals are written in. This may look like a lot of accidentals on paper, but is very easy to teach by rote because of how the hands naturally fall on the black keys. Though the entire piece can be taught by rote, all hand positions are indicated with finger numbers and a circled finger number indicates when a hand position has a slight shift. The smallest note value is an eighth note. The damper pedal is held down throughout the piece, making it easier for students to sound mature, without needing to worry about constant pedaling.
Boysenberry does explore multiple registers on the piano, but with repeated patterns that make it very accessible to students at this level. Both hands play in the treble clef, and the left hand plays in bass clef as well. There are many crossovers that help students to master this technique while also helping them to look and sound mature. The piece is written in 4/4. Dynamic markings are included.
Bonus recording included!
Boysenberry comes with a bonus mp3 recording performed by Wendy Stevens. You are permitted to send this example performance track 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 recording of the piece. This can help them be inspired and learn the piece even more effectively without you having to send the mp3 to them!
More About the Sophisticated Rote and Reading® Music Series:
This series of late elementary pieces helps you strengthen both the eyes and ears of students who want a more sophisticated sound in their music. Boysenberry and this entire series will be appealing to teens, adults, and anyone who doesn’t want to sound like they are playing “kiddy” elementary music.
These special Rote and Reading® solos were composed because we believe that even the simplest music can sound sophisticated. And we especially believe that teens and adults deserve beautiful, mature music that helps them express what they are feeling in musical ways.
Boysenberry is also included in this discounted Color Music Rote and Reading® Bundle 2 bundle that includes three late elementary Rote and Reading® solos:
- Dandelion Yellow
- Boysenberry (that’s this piece)
- Burnt Umber
What is the Studio License?
Boysenberry is delivered digitally (through your email receipt) and is studio licensed. This means that you can print and use this for any student that you directly teach for your entire lifetime of teaching.
Megan Hughes –
I’m using this with two adults, it’s a winner. Sounds great, the b section does well with a little reading, the a section is mostly rote. Because if the key, it fits the hand well, good for those stuffish/poky people who think they are typing.
Lynda Smith –
I bought the whole “Color Bundle 2” and chose this piece to teach first, to an adult beginner. She loves it and is inspired by the beautiful sounds. The other two pieces will come next.