- Level: Elementary
- Pages: 5 pages – 3 pages of music, cover included!
- Style: Joyful and Merry!
- Series: Rote and Reading®
- Bonus: mp3 performance track + QR code to access recording online
- Format: PDF instant download
With a bouncy, joyful intro that captures all the merriness of the season, Deck the Hall Rote and Reading® is sure to be a hit in your studio! Students will LOVE playing the most fun parts of Deck the Hall, without the parts that bog them down. Plus, the glissando will thrill even the most timid of students. So grab your jingle bells and let’s deck the hall!
What is the level of Deck the Hall Rote and Reading?
Get a full sound in this Deck the Hall Rote and Reading® piece, composed especially for mid-elementary piano students of all ages. Fingering, articulation, and phrasing are all included. The intro can easily be taught by rote and much of the mail piece can be played by ear OR your students can read the whole piece!
This piece is in C Major. The right hand of the piece plays some cluster chords with three notes, and the melody we know and love. The right hand moves up an octave on the repeat, and moves up once more for the ending, finishing the piece with an exciting glissando! The left hand plays drone-like fifths in Low C position. The bass part does not change position.
Bonus recordings included!
Deck the Hall Rote and Reading® 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!
Don’t be afraid of the dotted quarter note
Most early to mid-elementary students don’t understand what a dotted quarter note is. But they don’t need to understand to know how to play it! It’s the main rhythm in the main motive of Deck the Hall, so it’s easy to play.
If they know the tune to Deck the Hall, they’ll get it. I promise!
The trick is to show them, not tell them! Don’t explain what a dotted quarter note is. They don’t need to know that yet, because it’s a very abstract concept that’s way too complicated to explain. But they can play it. Just show them and let them play!
Other pieces in the Holiday Rote and Reading® Series
Don’t forget to check out other pieces in the holiday rote and reading® series:
Jean Diffenderfer –
“Deck the Hall” saved the day today! My student came to her lesson all excited about starting lacrosse, basketball and maybe volleyball in the next couple of weeks. My heart sank! What about piano?!? Especially our Christmas recital? This arrangement is a bit below her current level–but with all of the other activities, it was perfect. She learned the rote part quickly and that gave her momentum to sightread the rest! Best of all, she’s loving it (especially the glissando!). Thank you, Wendy, for composing music kids love!
Valerie –
Fun! Peppy! Not too hard! This version of Deck the Halls is a great dotted quarter + eighth study or by rote, and very accessible–thanks Wendy!!!
Caroline Hand –
My 10 year old beginner student is thrilled with the impressive sounding intro and has been practicing way more than usual so he can master the whole song. A very well thought out arrangement!
Janelle Bracken –
“Deck the Hall” is an extremely well-written piece, and it’s fun to play and to teach! Bright and happy with neat RH C2 and Csus4 chords in the intro, it’s yet another piece that makes a popular piece instantly accessible for more students, and Wendy has wisely eliminated some of the pitfalls that have existed in many other arrangements of this beloved Christmas tune! I introduced it to a young student who is 8 and to a middle schooler who is a transfer and still struggles with reading sometimes. They were both instantly successful and there were smiles all around. My enthusiasm for teaching this piece is renewed. Way to go (again), Wendy!
Karen –
My newer students are using this Deck the Hall arrangement as a “learn and take-home” piece; the older ones are sight-reading it and just having so much fun with it. We’re getting exuberant! It’s our last week before our recital–we all need just a little bit of “something new and fun!”
Margaret –
I love this arrangement of Deck the Halls. I have 2 students using this piece now. First, I gave the Jingle Bells from years past and followed up with this one which is a lot like Jingle Bells with the note clusters. Thanks Wendy
Jura Litchfield –
An accessible piece that does not tax the late beginner student who needs a boost in confidence. Sounds polished and can be played at a bouncy tempo by students who have been playing at least a year.
Janice Phelps –
I have a lot of boys in my studio and this song was an immediate success! The glissando at the end clinches it! Thank you, Wendy!