SongRealm

Conquering Canons

Track List & Recordings

1. Rogue Canonball


This canon is comprised of long and a short phrases over a 4 bar subject, with the overlap requiring the student to phrase the hands at different times.

There is significant repetition, however extra repetition can be achieved by adding an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 5 to the end of bar 8.

Other practice strategies which may be helpful include focus on individual bars such as repeating bar 3 several times over before moving on to bar 4 which can likewise be repeated as often as needed to develop flow. Similarly, bar 5 will benefit from significant repetition before moving on to bar 6.

Early Intermediate - Mid Intermediate level

2nd - 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd - 4th Grade ABRSM




These canons were written to fill a niche in my teaching repertoire between the early level canons such as those by Pozzoli and Kunz, and the two-part inventions of JS Bach which begin at around 4th Grade level (AMEB/ANZCA).


They are not particularly easy - nor were they intended to be - but neither are they as gruelling as some of the longer and more serious contrapuntal works which students will eventually progress to.


They do provide a much needed element of fun - canons are difficult enough without having to be boring and it is reassuring that more contemporary writers are rising to this challenge.


My students, whilst dubbing this collection 'Teacher's Revenge', are invariably able to have a laugh at their efforts to conquer many of these tricky little numbers! Their sense of achievement in gaining the required independence of the hands (or brain-split!) is satisfying indeed!


It is essential in the learning of canons that each cell or phrase is practiced independently, both separately and hands together so that the final result is a true independence of the melodies, rather than a pedestrian rendition of note against note.


Grading is early to mid intermediate level (2nd - 3rd grade AMEB/ANZCA) although some are a little simpler, but I would prefer the collection be viewed as an experiential journey through the art of canonic playing rather than a step by step process.








2. Round the Garden



This canon is comprised of 4 phrases over a 4 bar subject.


The overlap is quite straightforward, for the most part allowing the phrases to begin and end together and so presenting minimal challenge.


However, the key of B flat Major and the hand positions within this key elevate it to 2nd grade level. * It should be noted that this Canon is in the AMEB Series 17 book for 1st grade, but in C Major.


There is significant repetition, however extra repetition can be achieved by adding an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 5 to the end of bar 8.



Early Intermediate level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade ABRSM

4. Jack Be Nimble


This canon is comprised of two subjects, the first consisting of one long legato phrase over 4 bars, which is then repeated. The second subject is similarly a long legato phrase over 4 bars which is repeated.

Because of the long melodic lines, the overlapping phrasing is not overly challenging.

Further repetition can be achieved by adding an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 3 to the end of bar 6 and from the beginning of bar 11 to the end of bar 14.


Late Elementary level

1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA

2nd Grade ABRSM


6. Firing Canonballs


The subject of this canon, over 4 bars, is comprised of a short slurred phrase, staccato notes and a longer legato phrase which includes a tie and which runs into the repeat of the subject.


The alternating articulations between the hands are quite challenging.


There is significant repetition, however further repetition can be achieved by applying an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 9 to the end of bar 12.


Early Intermediate - Mid Intermediate level

2nd - 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd - 4th Grade ABRSM

8. Cantonese


Long and short two-note slurs in 4ths and 3rds comprise the 'choppy' 4 bar subject of this canon.

Balancing the articulations between the hands will present challenge.

There is some repetition, however further repetition can be achieved by applying an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 5 to the end of bar 8.


Intermediate level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

4th Grade ABRSM

10. Tiddlywinks


This is a lively canon in triplet movement and with a subject over 9 bars which includes short and long slurred phrases and crushed staccato notes.

Challenge is in balancing the articulations between the hands while maintaining the cheerful, mischievous character.

There is some repetition, however further repetition can be achieved by applying an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 10 to the end of bar 18.



Intermediate level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

4th Grade ABRSM

12. The Grand Canon


This is a majestic canon comprised of slurred chords in short and longer phrases over a mildly contrapuntal 4 bar subject.

Challenge lies in balancing the different phrases against each other while maintaining the integrity of the melodic lines.

There is significant repetition, however further repetition can be achieved by applying an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 9 to the end of bar 12.


Intermediate level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

4th Grade ABRSM

3. Fee Fye Foe Fum! 
(Canons can be so much fun!)


This is almost two canons within one.

The first has a 4 subject comprising staccato triadic notes against a smooth legato phrase.  

The second has two 2-bar subjects which are alternated against each other. These consist of short two-note slurs against smooth legato phrases.

The first canon is then repeated to give an overall ternary form.


Practice strategies include repeating bars 2 and 3 until smooth and flowing and although bar 8 doesn't flow smoothly back into bar 5, it is recommended that this line be repeated, either as a whole or in two halves until the coordination of the different articulations between the hands is smooth and comfortable.


Early Intermediate level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade ABRSM


5. Can Only Imagine

This canon is comprised of two subjects which flow relatively seamlessly from one to the other. A third melodic phrase, which flows in from the second, allows the ending of the 2nd subject to complete.

There is minimal overlapping phrasing to challenge the student and most of the overlap consists of long notes against the longer melodic lines, making this a relatively simple canon.

There is some repetition of each of the two subjects but further repetition can be achieved by adding an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 3 to the end of bar 6 and from the beginning of bar 11 to the end of bar 14.


Late Elementary level

1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA

2nd Grade ABRSM

7. Canochromatic


This canon is comprised of short 3-note slurs, single staccato notes and longer phrases, all with a dotted rhythm and, as the title suggests, a chromatic element.

Challenges are in the overlapping phrasing and balancing the staccato notes and short slurs against the long melodic line.

There is significant repetition, however further repetition can be achieved by applying an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 9 to the end of bar 12.


Other practice strategies include repeating bars 5 and 6; and bars 7 and 8.

Early Intermediate level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade ABRSM

9. One Potato, Two Potato


The 4-bar subject of this canon consists of a long 2-bar phrase, followed by short dyadic slurs and another short phrase.


The key of A flat major requires the student to place the hands within the black keys and this, along with the triadic elements and the balance of slurs against legato, makes this quite a challenging canon.


Early Intermediate - Mid Intermediate level

2nd - 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd - 4th Grade ABRSM

11. Can o' Worms


This is a bluesy canon in a lively triple rhythm.

The subject, over 7 bars, comprises long (2 bar) phrases, chromaticism and crush notes.

Challenge is in balancing the phrases against each other, allowing each to rise and conclude with an authentic flow.

There is some repetition, however further repetition can be achieved by applying an unlimited repeat from the beginning of bar 2 to the end of bar 8.


Intermediate level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

4th Grade ABRSM