Last updated 7 July 2012.

My books and their music

I have taught piano for many years and always found the music available for children to be rather bland and boring. It seemed to me that we still lived under the impression that children might not like the music they had to learn but will be grateful later. The reality is that they will not be grateful at all, but will give up piano playing for good once they stop having lessons. What a waste of money!
I started writing music for my own students. I put together the Cockroach Pie book and showed it to my mentor Peter Sculthorpe, who encouraged me to submit the book to ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts) hoping to get some of my music on their piano syllabus. They chose the Cockroach Pie and Dancing Caterpillars songs for inclusion in Preparatory Grade. So I kept writing music, and now I have a total of 11 books of piano music, seven of which have been published so far, with 27 of my compositions on the ANZCA syllabus!

None of my music is written for any specific level or purpose. I just write music as it comes and when I have enough pieces, I make them into a book and start all over again. My music ranges from beginners to second grade with a few for third and maybe one or two for fourth grade in the later books.

Most people are aware of the AMEB examination system (Australian Music Examinations Board). I have submitted my books to the AMEB but it may take some time yet before they will make any changes to their syllabus again. ANZCA is less well-known, although it has the same standing as the AMEB. I personally like the ANZCA system. It has a "classical" strand, similar to the AMEB system, but ANZCA also have a "modern" strand, which consists of songs, rags, blues, Latin, boogies etc. Students are encouraged to improvise on their music, which is great fun. It puts the "play" into playing piano! There is also a "Music for all occasions" strand for people who might want to play for weddings and other events. Even though I was brought up with classical music, it is these last two strands that appeal most to me. The ANZCA syllabi can be viewed on the internet on their website: ANZCA.com.au.

All my book covers were designed by the talented Katy Harris-Lambourne. Lucky me! Katy can be contacted at the_ledger_line@hotmail.com.

This is the invisible image of the Cockroach Pie cover. Gremlins in the computer! I'll work it out! Watch this space!

Cockroach Pie is my first book. This book is for beginners - at the early elementary level. It consists of 16 compositions, 14 of which have lyrics which help set the rhythm.
Time signs and key signatures are kept simple: most pieces are in 4/4 time, a few in 3/4 time, and only two in 6/8 time.
Many of the compositions are in C, and key signatures are limited to one sharp or flat only.
Both hands stay in 5-finger position with a one-finger (thumb or little finger) left hand "stretch" to a sixth in some of the compositions.
The rhymes have great kid appeal, as the composition titles indicate. For example, the Cockroach Pie song finishes with "...it's cockroach pie for me!" and Worm in my apple has the line "...I saw half a worm..". Then there is a Bedtime tanty which ends with "...and I won't go to bed, and THAT is THAT!".
There are more gentle ones as well such as Dancing Caterpillars which ends with "...oh what fun it is to be a caterpillar in a tree", the Bunyip in the Billabong, a Camel ride, a Koala Lullaby and much more.

Two of these compositions, Cockroach Pie and Dancing Caterpillars are on the syllabus of ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts) for the Preparatory Grade.
My books sell for $19.95 each. The distributor is Hal Leonard, and the books are available from music shops. Or by contacting me at chrisdebeusmusic@hotmail.com; or phone me on 0410 847 541. I'd love to hear from you!

The invisible cover of the second book: Spider Milkshake. The gremlins are doing well...

Spider Milkshake has a few beginner level pieces as well as Preparatory and Preliminary at middle Elementary level. Ten of the 16 compositions have lyrics, including I don't like maths! ("...I always get the answer wrong..."), Mushy Bananas, ("... better than best") and the recipe for a Spider Milkshake (yum!)
Five compositions are suitable for Preliminary Grade including Tango a-go-go, Kangaroo Hop and A Wombatty Waltz.
Time signs and key signatures are again kept simple, mainly in 4/4 and 3/4 time, with two compositions in 6/8 and one (dangerously!) in 5/8, which may or may not work, but is worth a try!
Key signatures are limited to only one sharp or flat.
Both hands stay in 5 finger position with stretches no further than a 6th.
Changing hand position is carefully introduced with only small moves for one hand only. Only the Bowerbird Blues requires the moves in both hands according to the standard blues pattern
This book introduces dotted notes in the tango rhythm and in Wombatty Waltz.
There is more use of accidentals, for example Bowerbird Blues (C minor) does not have a key signature but has flats followed by natural signs, and Sneaky Snake is in A minor, which gives a G sharp.

The Spider Milkshake recipe song is listed for Preparatory Grade on the ANZCA syllabus.
Bowerbird Blues is listed for Preliminary Grade.

My books are so affordable at only $19.95 each! Get them either from music stores or contact me at chrisdebeusmusic@hotmail.com or call me on 0410 847 541. I love my music!

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