Got a Scratch

• Level: Mid Elementary
• Pages: 4 pages, 2 pages of music, cover included!
• Style: Bouncy and fun
• Format: PDF instant download

Got a Scratch is a piece with which every single student will be able to identify! If you are like me, you have several students who love telling you about their latest bumps, bruises, and doctors visits. This piece is the perfect one to pull out for them, but it’s great for all students since they’ve all experienced these things. Bruises, lumps, and even bloody noses are mentioned and the first page tells all about it. The second page focuses on the bruises not being too big or sore, so life isn’t so bad after all.

The Level of Got a Scratch

Got a Scratch is a mid elementary piece. The shortest note value is a quarter note. There are both staccato and legato phrases in this piece, as well as an 8va section that repeats a pattern previously played.

There is an F# in the piece, but it is always written in (no key signature). This piece stays in one hand position for the entire song, except for one octave jump at the very end of the piece. If you have a student who is nervous about changing hand positions, this would be a great way to introduce it – just one note at the very end!

There is no pedaling, and the main motive is repeated throughout the piece, making it easy for students to learn. The first beat in the main theme is a rest, making it a wonderful opportunity for students to practice playing a different rhythmic pattern still within 4/4. Fingering, staccatos, and slurs are included which makes it an excellent teaching piece.

Music From a Child’s Perspective

So much of the time, kids hear things from adults’ perspectives, so you will find that they love music written from their perspective. Got a Scratch speaks in the language of children and acknowledges what adults often dismiss. It affirms how kids feel and lets them know that their experiences are important. Kids love it when music speaks their language.

For more music that speaks the language of a child, check out the “What Kids Think” bundle or this Loose Tooth piece!

Bonus mp3 Recording:

Got a Scratch 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.

What is the Studio License?

Got a Scratch 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 – for all those kids who get a scratch. And that’s everyone!