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Stille Nacht (Silent Night) > piano teacher's notes
christmas song (1818) by Franz Xaver Gruber, german lyrics (1816) by Joseph Mohr
for piano beginners (grade 2)
goals
All beginners wish to play it. Our goal is twofold:
1. Sing while accompanying softly simultaneously.
2. Keyboard harmony lesson (chords: I, V, IV).
PROBLEM 1: C major's basic chords (tonic, dominant and subdominant) are familiar even to beginners, but it is impossible to sing this melody in C (too high for their voices). I have chosen G major.
PROBLEM 2: I have simplified the authentic rhythm 6/8 into the easier 3/4. I have also simplified rhythm of melody of bars 18, 21 and 22. (view score). Alterations of the dotted rhythm may also occur at other bars (e.g. 10, 14), but never at the theme-bars at the beginning (view score German lyrics version 2).
steps
0. We view with the student (or they have already viewed in at home) the STUDENT's INTRODUCTION.
0. PRINT the SCORES (see material)
These scores are shown to the student after he/she finds by ear the correct chord or the tune. They are guides. Our goal is not to improve reading.
1. Ask for tonic, dominant and subdominant of G major, left hand (three-voices, 5th3rd1st fingers). Also with pedal. Fluent changes from one chord to the other.
2. Teach the lyrics of the song as described in general teacher's guide.
3. Give to the student, the score StilleNacht_1_1_940x1358.bmp. Sing while the child tries out the basic chords, until choosing the most suitable.
4. Show answer StilleNacht_1_1_940x1358.bmp
5. Proceed with more difficult versions. Do not force a more difficult version if not tangible.
 
material
PRINT STUDENT-GUIDE-SCORES
with english lyrics - stanza 1: StilleNacht .bmp 940x1358 (159kb each)
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1-view score, 2.2
with original german lyrics - stanza 1:
version 1 identical to the above: 2.1 - view score
version 2 with different dotted patterns 2.1b - view score
Also see GENERAL MATERIAL with links, autographs and audiovisual media.

katerina sarri, athens, 23 DEC 2007.