I hope you are enjoying luxuriously lengthening days as we launch into summer. My garden is crying out for me to do some much-needed pruning, weeding and watering, but thankfully I can always count on my lavender to thrive without making any demands whatsoever. This is a photo of the gorgeous lavender fields at the lovely Senanque Monastery in Provence, France. My lavender doesn’t look quite like this 🙂 but I can dream…
This month I wanted to share Tchaikovsky’s June with you. It’s a beautiful piece that reflects the June gloominess we experience here in on the California coast. I have simplified it for the early intermediate student who wants to enjoy Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous theme. Some in our piano community believe that we shouldn’t simplify piano literature, but I think it’s inspiring for students to get to be able to play beautiful themes from the masters, as they are learning. And anything that inspires practice is a win in my estimation. This arrangement is from our Songs of the Seasons: SUMMER book, available on Amazon along with our Upper Hands Piano books for older adult students!
CLICK HERE TO PRINT: JUNE (only available until June 2019)
You might also want to scroll down on the free sheet music page to print last June’s arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon. It will only be available until the end of June, so print it now! (I take down all pieces after a year to make room for new content.)
Speaking of inspiring practice, I am currently engrossed in writing a practice journal for people who need some strategies and words of wisdom and encouragement to keep them on track with their creative practice (I know that I have in the past!) I am loving the process of writing and researching this book, and hope to have it finished by the end of the summer. In the coming weeks I will excerpt some of the pages from the book that best apply to piano students, in hopes that it will help get you to the bench. Do you have any summer goals for your piano practice? Is there a piece you wish to complete, or a skill you would like to improve? Please leave a comment so we can support your goal!
With love and music, Gaili
Author, Upper Hands Piano: A Method for Adults 50+ to SPARK the Mind, Heart and Soul
Thank you for all your lovely blogs and pieces of music. I especially love your counting… words.. my teacher used stuff like “nice cup of tea”
I just invested in a new piano … just have to find more time to practise. Your music ads to my collection .. I particularly love “Wayfaring Stranger” as I have a record of Joe and Eddie singing it and it is wonderful,
It is winter here in Australia so the days arfe shortening but the weather has been weird.
kindest regards
Narelle Lovell
Wow, how wonderful! Thanks for your kind words. So great that you have bought a new piano. If you liked Wayfaring stranger you might also like The Water Is Wide:
http://upperhandspiano.com/blog/september-free-sheet-music-the-water-is-wide/
I played this arrangement over the weekend. It is so lovely. I will be enjoying it as part of my collection of pieces I play to bring me pleasure for years to come. Thanks much Gaili.
How wonderful to hear! Thanks, I’m so glad you’re enjoying June 🙂