After reading about the success of your incentive programs I decided to come up with my own for this fall. I’m still working on it, but it’s going to be about exploring the mystery of music. I’m wondering if you have any pieces that come to mind for recitals? (So far I have Agent X, Super Sleuth by Melody Bober, and Our Detective Agency from the Faber method books.)
I’m definitely going to need some help with this! I love finding really cool-sounding repertoire for my students to learn and play, but I’m terrible at remembering piece titles and composers. I’m hoping that there are some other teachers who can help answer this question – what mystery-related music have your students played that you would recommend to this teacher?
Remember, if you have a question you’d like to contribute to next week’s Monday Mailbag, leave it in the comments below or send me an e-mail sometime this week with Monday Mailbag in the subject line!
Another “Super Sleuth” my students love is by Lynn Freeman Olson in the book Pop! Goes the Piano book 1. In the book Schirmer’s Halloween Favorites elementary piano solos there’s one called “Mystery Story.” For more advanced students one of Mendelssohn’s Songs without words might work. For 1st year students you could write your own pieces and let them help name them. Good Luck!
Hey Natalie!
My sister Lauren introduced me to your blog, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. =)
My suggestions are not mystery-themed in their titles, but their sound seems very cool and mysterious:
- Tarantella (first song in Alfred’s Basic Piano Lesson Book, Level 4)
- The Storm by Burgmuller
- Movie Music! Try an arrangment of the Jaws Theme (taken from the New World Symphony by Dvorak)or pieces from classic mystery movies.
This would be a great time to emphasize/introduce minor keys to students and have them compose little ditties in minor keys. A minor key will turn many a song into a 007 super-secret agent. =)
Agent X- Very catchy tune! Level 5 (Bober)
Cat Prowl- VERY AWESOME PIECE! Level 2B Bober
Here are some more suggestions from another reader:
A new book out by Jennifer Lynn, with some wonderful pieces is “Tales of Mystery.” Jennifer played through them for me at the NCKP this past summer… and each piece is a keeper…
Escape into the Night
Message in a Bottle
Mirage
Nocturne Mystique
Secret Mission
Showdown Blues…
And then again, there is always the Pink Panther …
I also just remembered the book, “Gumshoes” by Jason Sifford. It has several fun, mysterious-sounding jazz pieces!
What a great theme! I remember an orchestra rehearsal where the guest conductor went into a big speech about how the music needed to sound mysterious, and he managed to captivate the imagination of the whole room.