- Level: Late elementary
- Pages: 5 pages, 3 pages of music, cover included!
- Style: Somber yet warm
- Bonus: mp3 performance track + QR code to easily access recording online
- Format:PDF instant download
- Series: Sophisticated Rote and Reading®
Burnt Umber is a somber color, but it has a warmth to it thanks to its red undertones. This piece follows in the footsteps of its name, giving a melancholic sound along with comfort and mellowness. Students will love how easy it is to play expressively, and how mature and interesting the harmonies in this piece make them sound. Burnt Umber can be taught by rote, reading, or a combination of Rote and Reading®, making it accessible to students at varying levels and abilities.
What level is Burnt Umber?
Burnt Umber is a late elementary solo written in D dorian. Pedaling is indicated, and the smallest note value is a quarter note. The right hand explores several octaves, but always with repeated patterns the student will already know. This piece contains interesting melodies that sound very mature, but can easily be taught by rote or reading. Students will find it easy to play expressively, and dynamic markings are included.
Burnt Umber is written in 4/4. The hand position does change, but with repeated patterns. The left hand uses melodic fifths throughout the entirety of the piece. Helpful fingerings are included. This piece contains many ties and repeated notes, making it easy to learn by rote or by reading.
Bonus recording included!
Burnt Umber 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. Dandelion Yellow 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. We believe that teens and adults deserve beautiful, mature music that helps them express what they are feeling in musical ways.
Burnt Umber 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
- Burnt Umber (that’s this piece)
What is the Studio License?
Burnt Umber 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.
Linda –
Burnt Umber is one of those pieces that appeals to several ages and stages of piano students. I recently taught to a busy teen with one year of instruction, who was so motivated, she learned the piece in one week. I was able to launch into phrase shaping and dynamic nuances with this student as a result. I introduced Burnt Umber to an 18 year old, severely autistic (non-verbal) student, who immediately liked it and learned it in a short time as well. To see him smile as he makes the deep, rich sounds is so rewarding to me, and his family. We learned to play RH notes in the bass clef as part of learning the piece. A wonderful addition to my tool kit of student repertoire, and definitely a piece my kids love! Thanks, Wendy.