- Level: Early to Mid Elementary
- Pages: 4 pages, 2 pages of music, cover included
- Style: Playful
- Bonus: mp3 performance recording included
- Series: Little Fuzzies
- Format: PDF instant download
Sometimes they help you know what keys to play. Sometimes they jump to the floor. But Little Fuzzies always want to play – whether at the piano or running out the door!
Playin’ Around contains silly lyrics about these piano “helpers” and playful melodies that will draw students in. Plus, playing in front of Little Fuzzies adds to the silliness of it all!
Little Fuzzies are such a great teaching tool. Teachers can use some Little Fuzzies to watch for correct hand shape, others to listen for dynamics, and others for correct note duration. And just as the lyrics say – have some “waiting” for students by the door as they leave the studio! Kids love pretend play that feels as if it could almost be real, and Little Fuzzies can absolutely add that element of fun to your lessons.
What Level is Playin’ Around?
Playin’ Around is from the Adventures of Little Fuzzies series, and is elementary level. It is written in triple meter, and the smallest note value is a quarter note. There is no pedaling throughout the piece. Helpful fingering is written, and changes in hand position are denoted with a circled number so that students know their hand is moving to a new position on the piano. Whenever the hand position changes, the same fingering is used in the new position so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Chromatic fingering is used in a way that falls naturally under small hands. Lyrics are included in Playin’ Around. Plus, the end of the song contains a lot of dynamic contrast, giving students the opportunity to sing and play with that contrast.
How Can I Use Little Fuzzies to Enhance my Teaching?
We now have an entire post telling you how to use Little Fuzzies in your teaching. These small little fuzzy craft balls with google eyes are amazing at helping students find their starting note, be their audience, and remind them where to move!
See how Little Fuzzies can help your students here.
Bonus Mp3
Playin’ Around includes a bonus mp3 of this performance with your purchase. You may send this mp3 to your student to help them learn the piece and remember how it sounds.
Are There More Little Fuzzies Pieces?
Yes there are! These creatures are busy, so you’ll find them in all sorts of ComposeCreate® pieces in addition to Playin’ Around! Browse the entire collection or see individual pieces here:
- Little Fuzzies – The original piece
- Fuzzies on Vacation
- Playin’ Around (that’s this piece)
- Bubble Bath
- Kitchen Raiders
- Little Fuzzies Trick or Treat
- Angelic Little Fuzzy
- Pot o’ Gold
- Box of Chocolates
- April Fools’ Mischief
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Barbecue Blunder
- Back to School
- Leaf Surfing
- Sledding Shenanigans
- Healing Hacks
- Fuzzy Pirates
- Birthday Blooper
- Spy Fuzzies
- Mayhem on the Moon
- The Great Fuzzy Feast
- Festive Delivery
- Candy Cabin
What is a Studio License?
Little Fuzzies Playin’ Around comes as a studio license which licenses you to make as many prints for your students for as many years as you teach. It’s like getting an unlimited supple of this piece of Music Kids Love®!
Susan –
I have started a “Little Fuzzies Club” in my studio for my youngest students. One is a beginner and the others have had lessons for 1-3 years. Members have a handbook where they put the Little Fuzzies stickers once they’ve completed a piece. Their pictures are on a bulletin board under the title “Little Fuzzies Club”. Because of their interest, I’ve purchased every Little Fuzzies piece that Wendy Stevens has composed. The music has repetitive patterns in most cases but there are challenges they wouldn’t have in beginning lesson books: hand positions that move around the keyboard, music symbols (sharps, flats, naturals), pedal usage, 1st and 2nd endings. Because the lyrics are so engaging and the Fuzzies have humorous adventures all around the house and at different times of the year, students love playing them. Their lesson book pieces have become “too easy” and I’ve been using them for sight reading activities. Having a fun piece to practice motivates my students to go to the piano willingly and share their music with others.