<![CDATA[Chrissy Ricker

<![CDATA[Chrissy Ricker - Blog]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:30:58 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Your Studio!]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.chrissyricker.com/blog/5-fun-ways-to-celebrate-halloween-in-your-studio

As you may know, I love using the excitement surrounding holidays like Halloween and Christmas to motivate (and educate) my students.

Today I am sharing 5 fun activities you can do this fall to celebrate Halloween--including FREE printables that will help reinforce music history, music theory, creativity, and much more!

Keep reading to learn more...

Activity #1: Make music history spooky with these listening activities.

There are many wonderful classical pieces that have become synonymous with Halloween.

Introduce your students to these famous pieces and their composers by using this spooky active listening worksheet!

Videos of four of my favorite spooky classics are shown below. Or, choose your own favorites to share with your students!

Click on the image to download your FREE spooky active listening worksheet.

Toccata in D minor (J.S. Bach)

In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg)

Moonlight Sonata, movement 1 (Beethoven)

Danse Macabre (Saint-Saens)

Activity #2: Spook-ify a familiar piece.

Help your students learn about the musical elements that make pieces sound spooky!

This worksheet encourages students to experiment with changes to mode, pitch, tempo, dynamics, and articulations to create a spookier version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

The optional bonus challenges provide even more opportunities to explore the musical elements through listening and improvisation.

Click on the image to download your FREE copy of this worksheet.

Activity #3: Create a Halloween-themed composition.

I've talked about my love of using composition as a tool to work on music theory skills many times here on my blog! Halloween is a great time to explore creating an original piece, since most students love experimenting with minor sounds.

These guided composition templates make the process of composing an original piece easy, without taking up a ton of lesson time.

Click on the images below to download these FREE Halloween composition templates!

Activity #4: Double the fun with Halloween duets!

Duets are a wonderful way to help your students develop their sense of rhythm, hone their listening skills, and learn how to work with others in an ensemble.

I like to get my primer level students playing student-teacher duets as soon as possible.

"Trick or Treat" is a fun, Halloween-themed piece for beginners that uses only a few notes on the staff and includes a mysterious teacher duet part!

Click on the image to get your FREE copy of this piece.

Pairing up students to play evenly-leveled Halloween duets is the next step--and it's a great way to help your students get to know each other and build a sense of community in your studio!

Below are some of my own evenly-leveled duets at a variety of levels. Click on the images to see and hear samples or to purchase any of these pieces.

Beginner Duet (available at Piano Pronto)

Easy Duet (available at Piano Pronto)

Easy Duet (available at Musicnotes)

Intermediate Duet (available at Piano Pronto)

Activity #5: Wrap up the season by hosting a Halloween costume piano party!

My friend (and fellow piano teacher) Morgan and I have co-hosted several Halloween get-togethers for our studios. They were always a hit!

Give your students a chance to play Halloween duets, share their spooky compositions, or just perform their favorite repertoire pieces for one another by planning a piano party to wrap up the Halloween season.

Piano parties are a great way to build camaraderie in your studio. Costumes (and, of course, candy) can make these get-togethers extra memorable for your students.

What do you think? Do you have any fun activities planned to celebrate Halloween in your studio? Let us know in the comments!

]]><![CDATA[Series Spotlight: Rhapsodies and Reveries]]>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.chrissyricker.com/blog/series-spotlight-rhapsodies-and-reveries

Do you have students who love flowing, expressive music, but aren't yet ready to play works by their favorite Romantic composers?

If so, the "Rhapsodies and Reveries" series might be just what you need to help your students play beautiful pieces while learning important skills at the same time!

In today's "Series Spotlight," I'll be discussing this series of books that features dramatic and expressive music for students at every level--from beginner to upper intermediate!

Keep reading to learn more...

What is special about the "Rhapsodies and Reveries" series?
This series features expressive pieces that introduce students to techniques found in Romantic and contemporary classical piano literature in a level-appropriate way.

Inspired by the sights and sounds of nature, these pieces range in style from quiet and reflective to powerful and dramatic. These pieces draw inspiration from the works of Chopin, Debussy, Satie, Yiruma, and other popular composers known for their lyrical piano music.

What type of student will enjoy this series?
Students that enjoy lyrical, dramatic, and expressive music will enjoy this series.

While this series is appropriate for students of all ages, I have found that teen and adult students in particular have enjoyed the sophisticated sounds used in these books.

Here is an overview of the concepts you will find in each book in this series:

First Rhapsodies and Reveries

Elementary Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 1 and 2A)
14 solos (4 with optional teacher duets)
No key signatures
Concepts covered: reading notes across the entire staff, phrasing, accidentals, eighth note pairs, intervals up to a fifth, root position chords, introduction to the damper pedal.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Easy Rhapsodies and Reveries

Late Elementary Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 2B and 3A)
12 solos
Key signatures up to 2 sharps and 3 flats
Concepts include: intervals up to a seventh, 6/8 time, dotted quarter notes, triplets, overlapping pedal and pedaling with chord changes.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Rhapsodies and Reveries

Early Intermediate Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures book 3B)
11 solos
Key signatures up to 2 sharps and 2 flats
Concepts include: broken chord, Alberti bass, arpeggiated chord and waltz-style accompaniment patterns; pedaling by ear; 6/8 time; quarter note triplets; expressive playing with changes of tempo indicated in the music.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

More Rhapsodies and Reveries

Early to Mid-Intermediate Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures book 4)
9 solos
Key signatures up to 3 sharps and 3 flats
Concepts include: intervals up to an octave, left hand leaps, one-octave scale and arpeggio patterns, sixteenth notes, rubato playing.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Rhapsodies and Reveries, Volume 2

Intermediate Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures book 5)
11 solos
Key signatures up to 3 sharps and 3 flats
Concepts include: 12/8 time, chromatic passages, rolled chords, grace notes, two-octave scale and arpeggio patterns, longer rhapsody-style pieces with multiple changes in mood and tempo.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

I hope you have found this short introduction to my "Rhapsodies and Reveries" series helpful! Any questions about this series? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!

]]><![CDATA[Series Spotlight: Perfect Patterns]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.chrissyricker.com/blog/series-spotlight-perfect-patterns

Do you have students who love playing flashy pieces, but who struggle with pattern recognition and note reading?

If so, the "Perfect Patterns" series might be the perfect fit for your studio!

In today's "Series Spotlight," I'll be giving you the rundown on this series of books that features exciting, pattern-based pieces for students at every level.

Keep reading to learn more...

What is special about the "Perfect Patterns" series?
This series includes pattern-based pieces in a variety of styles that are designed to be taught by rote, reading, or a combination of the two.

Each piece in the series is based on a few short musical patterns that are used throughout the piece. The use of patterns makes each piece quick to learn while giving students the opportunity to navigate around the piano keyboard as they play patterns in sequence or in different octaves on the piano.

Students are encouraged to analyze the music and color-code the patterns used in each piece, which helps to develop pattern recognition and note reading skills.

What type of student will enjoy this series?
This series is ideal for students who need reinforcement with pattern recognition and technique.

Students who enjoy learning by rote and playing pieces that sound harder than they are to play will particularly enjoy this series.

Here is an overview of the concepts you will find in each book in this series:

First Perfect Patterns

Elementary Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 1 and 2A)
Includes a warm-up page introducing the main patterns in the book, along with "pattern prep" exercises for every piece
13 solos (4 with optional teacher duets)
No key signatures
Concepts covered: recognizing patterns including steps, skips, and harmonic intervals up to a sixth; introducing notes across the entire staff; sharps and flats; eighth note pairs; crossing hands

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Easy Perfect Patterns

Late Elementary Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 2B and 3A)
12 solos
Includes FREE backing tracks
Key signatures up to 1 sharp and 1 flat
Concepts include: intervals up to a seventh, 6/8 time, dotted quarter notes, blocked and broken chords, short chromatic patterns

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Perfect Patterns

Late Elementary to Early Intermediate Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 3A and 3B)
12 solos
Key signatures up to 1 sharp and 1 flat
Concepts include: intervals up to a seventh, one-octave scales, primary chords, 6/8 time and cut time, glissando

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Perfect Patterns PLUS

Early to Mid-Intermediate Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 3B and 4)
11 solos
Each piece in the book is based on a specific technical skill (playing octaves, playing chords in inversion, playing rolled chords, etc.)
Key signatures up to 2 sharps and 3 flats
Concepts include: intervals up to an octave, two-octave scales, swing rhythm, blocked and broken chords in inversion, triplets, sixteenth notes, arpeggios, the chromatic scale

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

I hope you have found this short introduction to my "Perfect Patterns" series helpful! Any questions about this series? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!

]]><![CDATA[A Guide to Guided Composition (with FREE Printables)]]>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.chrissyricker.com/blog/a-guide-to-guided-composition-with-free-printables

Do you want to incorporate composition into your lessons, but aren't quite sure how to start?

Guided composition can be a wonderful tool for introducing your students to composition and music notation in an accessible way.

Keep reading to learn more about how guided composition works and to find FREE printables you can use with students of all ages....

What is guided composition?
A guided composition activity is one in which some of the musical decisions have already been made for your students. For example, they might be asked to create a melody to fit a given rhythm, or to write a melody that fits a given chord progression. Students then notate their choices on a printed composition template to complete their piece.

How is guided composition beneficial?
Many students find guided composition activities to be less stressful than composing "from scratch" since some of the musical decisions have already been made and filled in on the composition template page.

The guided composition template can also serve as a model for students in learning how to make good choices in rhythm, melody, harmony, and form when they compose a piece. For example, a guided composition template might include:

repeated rhythmic patterns in the melody and harmony.
examples of well-constructed melodies.
four or eight bar phrases that create a balanced form in the finished piece.
examples of harmonic choices that flow well and sound complete.
examples of left hand accompaniment patterns that are appropriate to the style of the piece.

Using a printed composition template can help make the notation process faster and easier for students, since part of the composition is already filled in. This means that students can complete their compositions without taking up a lot of lesson time.

In short, think of guided composition activities as functional music theory for your students! You are helping them to use familiar scale and chord patterns from their repertoire as building blocks for creating and notating their own music.

Can I use guided composition with more advanced students?
Yes! Guided composition can be worthwhile even for more advanced students. Use the composition template as a starting point, then flesh out the composition even more by:

choosing articulations and dynamics appropriate to the mood of the piece.
transposing the piece to a different key or mode.
changing the accompaniment pattern in the left hand.
adding an introduction and/or coda.

adding a B section to make the piece longer, using the template page as a starting point.
exploring forms such as ternary or rondo form to create even longer pieces.

Ready to give guided composition a try with your students? Below you will find printable templates that you can use with students of all ages!

Click on the images below to download your free PDF copies of any of these worksheets.

Melody only (more advanced students can choose to add harmony)

Adding melody to simple harmonic intervals

Adding melody to a chord progression

Templates for "reluctant composers"
If you have students who struggle with choosing notes for a melody line, these templates are a great place to start! Students build their melodies one measure at a time by choosing from the given options or rolling dice.

What do you think? Do you use guided composition activities with your students? Let us know in the comments!

]]><![CDATA[Series Spotlight: Mission: X]]>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.chrissyricker.com/blog/series-spotlight-mission-x

Do you have students who are bored with method books but love adventurous music inspired by video games and movies?

If so, the "Mission: X" series might be just what you need to light a fire under your students this fall!

In today's "Series Spotlight," I'll be giving you the rundown on this series of books that includes activity pages to help reinforce key concepts along with exciting pieces that your students are sure to love!

Keep reading to learn more...

What is special about the "Mission: X" series?
Each full-length book in this series includes 3 themed chapters, with related pieces that can be performed separately or as a suite.

A few of the chapter titles included in this series are: "Undercover" (spy-themed pieces), "Atlantis" (pirate-themed pieces), "Alter Ego" (super hero-themed pieces), and "Interstellar" (outer space-themed pieces).

Each piece includes a "mission training" theory page that prepares students for the concepts found in the music.

Shorter "mini-books" are also available that do a deeper dive on concepts such as counting eighth notes and dotted rhythms, counting triplets and swing rhythm, accidentals, and playing in minor keys.

What type of student will enjoy this series?
This series is ideal for students who need a change of pace from traditional piano method books, but who still need reinforcement with key concepts and music theory.

The chapter format provides students with an opportunity to work towards performing each set of pieces as a suite, making these collections ideal for recitals.

Students who love adventurous music inspired by video games and films will especially find these pieces appealing.

Currently, this series includes 3 full-length volumes covering the elementary, late elementary, and early intermediate levels, as well as 4 mini-books.

Here is an overview of the concepts you will find in each book in this series:

Full-Length Books

Mission: X

Elementary Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 1 and 2A)
12 solos (5 with optional teacher duets)
3 themed "missions": Andromeda, Undercover, and Ancient Lands.
No key signatures
Concepts covered: reading and naming notes across the entire staff; sharps and flats; intervals up to a fifth; eighth note pairs; staccatos, slurs, and accents.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Mission: X, Volume 2

Late Elementary Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 2B and 3A)
11 solos
3 themed "missions": Atlantis, Supernatural, and Alter Ego.
Key signatures up to 1 sharp and 1 flat
Concepts include: intervals up to a sixth; dotted rhythms; shifting meter; triplets; 6/8 time; blocked and broken chords; song form and chord progressions.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Mission: X, Volume 3

Early Intermediate Level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures books 3B and 4)
10 solos
3 themed "missions": Westward, Interstellar, and Power Up.
Concepts include: intervals up to an octave; counting patterns with sixteenth notes; blocked and broken chords in root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion.

Click on the cover for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in this collection.

Mini-Books
Click on the covers for purchase information and to see and hear samples of every piece in these mini-books.

Elementary level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures Levels 1 and 2A). Concepts covered: sharps, flats, naturals, half steps, and whole steps.

Late elementary level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures Levels 2B and 3A). Concepts covered: natural and harmonic minor scales, building major and minor chords, primary chords in minor keys, relative major and minor.

Elementary level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures Levels 1 and 2A). Concepts covered: eighth notes, dotted quarter notes, and eighth rests.

Late elementary level (equivalent to Faber's Piano Adventures Levels 2B and 3A). Concepts covered: eighth rests, eighth note triplets, swing rhythm, quarter note triplets.

I hope you have found this short introduction to my "Mission: X" series helpful! Any questions about this series? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!

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