In writing this book, my primary purpose - as always - has been to create songs which engage children's imagination while giving them a learning experience which challenges and extends them and develops their facility on the the piano keyboard.
All of the pieces/songs in this collection contain lyrics so that the child can more easily bring to life the character of each of the 'Creepy Crawlies'.
No matter how appealing a song, it if proves too difficult, the child will immediately lose interest so it's important to choose carefully the pieces which are appropriate for your student at their particular level of readiness.
Track List & Recordings
1. Sammy the Snail
Maintains the same C Major hand position throughout except for the last line where the left hand leaps down an octave to low G.
Hands are played separately throughout except for the last two lines where both hands are played together, first in similar and then contrary motion.
Incorporates legato, staccato and some dynamics.
A simple 'oom pah pah' accompaniment using appropriate chords (I - V7 - 1 - 1 etc) will help the child with both the flow and the rhythm - in this case, the child should play an octave higher.
Early Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Pre-initial Grade ABRSM
3. Fergus Frog
Maintains the same C Major hand position throughout with direction and action mirrored between the hands.
Hands play separately except for the last line where both hands play together in similar motion.
Incorporates staccato, slurs, two-note chords and some dynamics.
Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
5. Caterina Caterpillar
Explores thumb under and second finger over, initially in C Major hand position then moving to F Major hand position and returning to C Major hand position.
Mostly separate hands with some hands together.
Introduces quavers, 1st and 2nd time endings and Da Capo al Fine.
Incorporates legato, staccato, slurs and simple dynamics.
Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
7. March of the Termites
Maintains the same G Major hand position throughout with both hands together in similar and contrary motion.
Incorporates 2nd finger over, the addition of sharps and an octave extension at the end.
Mostly legato with straightforward dynamics.
Early Elementary - Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
9. Christopher Cricket
Explores slurs and crushing notes (acciaccaturas), extends the F Major hand position with basic finger extension and thumb under.
Incorporates legato, staccato - including 2 note chords - dynamics including crescendo and diminuendo and Da Capo al Fine.
Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
2. Alexander Ant
Maintains the same C Major hand position throughout, adding only an F# to create a slight change in the direction in which those fingers move.
Have the child explore both how this looks on the piano and how it feels - without looking at the piano.
Hands mostly play separately with only small sections of hands together.
Incorporates legato, staccato and some dynamics.
Early Elementary - Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Pre-initial - Initial Grade ABRSM
4. Peter Python
Explores the C Major scale in contrary motion - hands separately and then together in the last line.
The thumb tuck is prepared with similar patterns in each hand.
Legato with crescendo and accelerando
Early Elementary - Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
6. Sarah the Spider
This piece explores the movement of a hand position - based around F Major - from one place on the piano to another.
It also explores extension of the fingers beyond the hand position, thumb under and finger over to move to a new position and crushing notes (acciaccaturas).
Incorporates legato, staccato and dynamics including crescendo, diminuendo and accelerando.
Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
8. Mirabella Moth
Explores chromatic movement between the white and black keys with appropriate fingering.
Legato with simple dynamics.
*** visit the tutorials page to watch the tutorial on this piece
Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
10. Fernando Flea
Explores left hand crossing over from a C Major hand position.
