By Katherine Fisher

Among my favorite Rote Pieces from Piano Safari Level 2 is the dynamic “African Safari” by Wendy Stevens. I am currently teaching my daughter piano (teaching your own children is another blog post for another time!) and she recently learned this piece. We both enjoyed working on it together because there are so many ways to use animal imagery in the learning process. Julie told me she uses the word “elephant” for the RH opening measures:

I like using this animal because it is a reminder for students that the starting note is “E,” and also that they should play the RH with vigorous tone. After three “elephants,” I add the lyrics “calling on the telephone, telephone” to the next two measures:

My favorite part is the somewhat tricky … Read More

By Dr. Julie Knerr

It’s October! And in piano teacher world, you know what that means…it’s Christmas music time!

We have just released three new Christmas sheets arranged by Dr. Christopher Fisher.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is available in two versions. First, as an elementary level studentteacher duet. This beautiful arrangement of this timeless melody is at the level of a student in the latter part of Piano Safari Level 1or a student studying Piano Safari Level 2.

The second version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is an intermediate level solo.

Also newly available is an intermediate solo arrangement of Silent Night.

We hope you enjoy these new sheets as you prepare your students for the Christmas season. Merry (early) Christmas!