Chrissy Ricker
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Musicianship Monthly #29: Holiday Lead Sheets!

10/30/2023

5 Comments

 
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November is just around the corner, and the start of a new month means it is time for a new "Musicianship Monthly" activity!

What is "Musicianship Monthly?" Each month, I share links to free resources you can use to focus on a specific musicianship skill with your students all month long! Want to see past skills we have covered? Click HERE!

This month, we will be working on developing our creative accompaniment skills by using lead sheets! I love using lead sheets during the holiday season because it gives students an opportunity to create their own unique arrangements of familiar songs. It's also a perfect vehicle for reviewing chords--I call that a win-win!

Ready to get your FREE Thanksgiving, winter, and Christmas lead sheets? Read on....

Thanksgiving and Winter-Themed Lead Sheets
Did you know that the lyrics to "Over the River and Through the Woods" were inspired by a Thanksgiving poem written in 1844 by poet Lydia Maria Child? 

​This traditional tune is a great one for teaching the skill of harmonizing, since it can be played using only the I, IV, and V chords. This lead sheet version gives students the opportunity to choose the chord they think works best and write it into the music.

Click on the image to download your free PDF.


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Next up, we have two lead sheet versions of the lovely song "Simple Gifts." I love teaching this song because it works perfectly for the holiday season, but can be enjoyed year-round!

Click on the images below to download your free PDFs.

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The famous "Canon in D" is often associated with the winter season, and it is one of my favorite classics to teach via lead sheet!

​I love that the lead sheet format makes it possible for students to create their own customized version of this famous piece depending on their skill level. This piece works equally well using blocked chords, broken chords, or arpeggios--and the repeated chord pattern makes it easy for more advanced students to add extra harmony and fills to the melody line, too!

Click on the image to download your PDF of this famous piece!
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Christmas Lead Sheets

The next four easy lead sheets feature well-known Christmas songs. Encourage your students to think outside of the box and create their own unique versions of these festive holiday tunes!

Click on any of the images below to download your free PDF! 
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Finally, here is a longer version of "What Child is This?" that features both the verse and chorus.

This lead sheet is perfect for early intermediate students who want to play the complete piece!

​Click on the image to download your PDF.

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What do you think? Do you enjoy teaching from lead sheets? Any tips or tricks you would like to share? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!
5 Comments
Marian link
11/1/2023 09:47:39 am

Chrissy: Thank you for all of this material. My students have played several of your arrangements over the years, purchased through Musicnotes.com and Pianopronto.com mainly. Several students have been working on chord studies and so your Lead Sheets this month are perfect. I also downloaded your Music History Periods sheets. We do a composer every month or so, and having this short sheet to add to the music history information will be very helpful. I have an old sheet I made years ago, but I like yours! I also downloaded the 12 days of practice and reflection for Students as well as the one for teachers! I need to go do some other things - but I keep looking around on your blogs!!!! Thank you! Happy Holidays!

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
11/1/2023 12:27:35 pm

Thank you so much for your kind words, Marian! I am glad you are enjoying the resources here! Happy holidays to you as well! :)

Reply
Juli
11/1/2023 10:56:38 am

I just used your lead sheet for 'What Child is This?' with a piano student. After looking over a few different arrangements, she really appreciated the simplicity of being able to use descending step notes for the LH accompaniment. Thank you for sharing this resource!

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
11/1/2023 12:23:46 pm

Thank you, Juli! I am glad your student enjoyed the lead sheet! I just updated this post to include an early intermediate version of this song as well that includes both the verse and chorus.

Reply
Juli
11/1/2023 01:13:35 pm

Thanks so much!


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    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


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