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CONCERT MAGIC SONG ARRANGEMENT TYPES
After playing with Concert Magic for a while, performers may feel that such playing is too easy and that there is very little to learn. While it is true that some of the songs are very easy to play, even for beginners, there are also some songs which will prove challenging, and require practice to play profi ciently.
Each of the 88 Concert Magic songs fall into one of three different arrangement types, depending on the skill level required to perform them.
EASY BEAT
These are the easiest songs to play. To perform them, simply tap out a constant steady beat on any key on the keyboard. Look at the following example, ‘Für Elise’. Press the key with a steady sixteenth note rhythm.
Key on | X X | X X | X X X | X | X X X X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
MELODY PLAY
These songs are also quite easy to play, especially if they are familiar to the player. To perform them, tap out the rhythm of the melody on any key on the keyboard. Singing along as the rhythm is tapped can be helpful.
Play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ for example. Follow the melody's rhythm as shown.
Key on | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
When performing fast songs with Concert Magic, it is sometimes easier to tap two different keys with two alternating fi ngers in order to play at greater speed.
SKILLFUL
These songs range in difficulty from moderately difficult to difficult. To perform them, tap out the rhythm of both the melody and the accompaniment notes on any key on the keyboard, such as ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ shown below.
Key on | X | X | X | X | X | X | X X | X | X | X | X | X |
It may take a little practice to perform the Concert Magic songs profi ciently. A good way to learn is to listen to these pieces fi rst, and then try to tap out the rhythms that are heard.
The separate 'Internal Song List' booklet lists the arrangement type next to each song title as ‘EB’ for Easy Beat, ‘MP’ for Melody Play and ‘SK’ for Skillful.
PLAYING THE PIANO
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