- Level: Mid elementary
- Pages: 5 pages, 3 pages of music, cover included!
- License: Studio license – reproducible for students you directly teach
- Bonus: mp3 recording without voiceovers
- Format: PDF instant download
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is a song every kid loves – but not one most kids can play. Until now! This elementary version of the Nutcracker piece makes a difficult-to-play solo accessible to beginners. Plus, this piece contains a special intro and ending that makes kids sound even more accomplished. When students learn pieces that they recognize and love, it not only makes them feel proud – it gets them excited to practice!
What is the level of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy?
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is an elementary level piano solo. The key is e minor, but no key signature is written in (accidentals are written throughout). The smallest note value is a quarter note, and quarter notes on every beat keep students from rushing the notes or pausing between measures. There are staccato and legato markings written throughout, as well as dynamic markings, so it’s a great teaching piece. Pedaling is written in for the beginning and ending motifs only.
In addition, helpful fingerings are written throughout. There is a small chromatic section with fingering written in, making it a great intro to left hand fingering for the chromatic scale. The left hand makes up for the right hand melody not staying in one position by staying as stationary as possible throughout the piece.
What is a Studio License?
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is available as a studio license which means that you only have to purchase it one time, and you are then licensed to print as many prints as you need for yourself or any student you directly teach! It’s like getting an unlimited supply of the piece since you never have to pay for it again. Plus there is no shipping since it is delivered digitally. You get the PDF and bonus mp3 in your email within minutes of your purchase.
Free Bonus Recording
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy also comes with a free mp3 recording so that you can listen and learn the piece more easily. The studio license grants you permission to share this file with your students that are learning the piece.
Other Nutcracker Offerings
If you enjoyed this arrangement, you may also enjoy these holiday pieces with references to and including the Nutcracker:
Diana –
I purchased the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy for my studio, and it is a really delightful piece. It is easy to play yet sounds harder than it is with the beautiful introduction and ending.
Yvonne S. –
My piano pupil of 2 years adores sugar plum fairy and so do I. I used it to introduce chromatic fingering. Very enjoyable and brilliant for a recital.
Valerie Alfonso –
I have discovered recently that songs from the Nutcracker are some of the most recognizable Christmas music for students. The Dance of the Sugar Plum is one of the top requests, and I was so happy to have an arrangement that reaches down to the elementary student. This arrangement fills the keyboard, but in a way that students can read at a late elementary level. Thank you Wendy!
Sara Bevis –
This arrangement is so accessible for elementary level students and still captures the essence of this familiar and well-loved piece! I am enjoying teaching it and will be pulling it out for years to come!
Carol Benninghoff –
Nearly all my students are learning this. The staccato verses legato sections are perfect as well as the intros and endings.
The only problem I’m finding is a students will have the rhythm of the Dance in their heads and is difficult to play straight Quarter
notes, so I encourage them to play it faster
and I demonstrate it correctly. It can be eye
opening to see the difference.
Sharon B. Girard, NCTM –
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy has been a big hit in my piano studio this year. The simplicity of the left hand which helps keep the steady beat throughout and the magical introduction and coda make this piece simple and magical.
Swan Kiezebrink –
Always a favourite, and this arrangement does not disappoint. Simple and accessible, and yet sophisicated enough that the children can play it and feel confident.
Mary Brocious –
My students are excited to have access to a version of this familiar piece that they can easily play and feel proud of. My students love playing Wendy’s music because it makes them feel so sophisticated and advanced for their level, and they have fun playing them.
Sally Licocci –
I have a dancer who performs in the Nutcracker every year. This was the perfect piece for her and she LOVES it. It’s a sweet arrangement.
Sandra –
I’ve had a such a lot of fun teaching this to my pupils this year!