I am always trying to keep students inspired to play (and practice!) piano by teaching them songs they know and love. This goes for students of all ages of course, but sometimes it's hard to get younger students to tell me what songs they enjoy. I was happy when a parent mentioned that her son loved the songs from Mary Poppins. Immediately, I thought of "Chim Chim Cher-ee," a personal favorite.
I grew up on the songs of Mary Poppins (and other Disney movies) so it's embedded deep in my musical memory. A few years back, my view of Chim Chim Cher-ee changed when a friend and fellow musician introduced me to John Coltrane's version -- in classic John Coltrane fashion, he takes a melody we all know and love and uses the simple harmony as a spring board for brilliant modal improvisation. Check it out:
It's no wonder that Coltrane and other jazz musicians (most notably Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong) have recorded versions of this song. The simple minor melody and chord changes are beautifully constructed and make for a great instrumental melody as well as a form over which to improvise. I loved the instrumental versions of the song so much it became a regular tune I played with my trio during live performances. It wasn't uncommon that members of the audience would ask me after the show, "What was that song you played? It's so familiar, I just can't place the name of it." "Chim Chim Cher-ee," I'd happily tell them. Everybody loves Mary Poppins.
Here's an arrangement of the song I created for beginner piano students. The melody is divided over two hands which stay in one position the entire song. Note that I've transposed the song to A minor (it was originally in C minor) to make it easier to play.
Here's an arrangement of the song I created for beginner piano students. The melody is divided over two hands which stay in one position the entire song. Note that I've transposed the song to A minor (it was originally in C minor) to make it easier to play.
A few things to think about when learning this arrangement:
1. Rhythm! I think it's important for new students to be exposed to a lot of music in 3/4 time. Often, they'll see most of their music in 4/4 and have trouble feeling measures that only have three beats. To really get the feel of 3/4 I'll have students clap quarter notes and count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 until they really feel the one as a strong beat. Or they might tap their foot on beat 1 and clap on 2 and 3. This can also be transferred to the piano: middle C on beat one, and a C one octave higher on beats 2 and 3. Anything so that the 3/4 can be FELT!
There's also other bits of challenging rhythm in this song. The pairs of eighth notes that happen in the first few measures can be tough. However, if the student knows the song, he/she will play the eighth notes correctly and not even think about it!
A last rhythm to take note of is the dotted quarter note + eighth note in measure 3. It might help to clap the rhythm of measures 3 and 4 a few times to make sure this rhythm is properly played. The rhythmic cell of a dotted quarter + eight note is a common one, so it's a good one to really feel.
2. Hand position & Note Reading -- this arrangement purposely stays in one hand position the entire song. The left hand thumb is on the D above middle C. The right hand thumb is on E above middle C. Stay there and you should be good! Try not to write in the notes letters or fingers for the song. Instead read the SHAPE of the line. Remember when notes go from a line to the next space (or space to the next line) that's called a step (or second). It's just the next white note up or down. When notes go from a line to the next line or a space to the next space that's called a skip (or third). That's means it skips over one white note to the next.
As an added exercise for beginners, say the note letter names as you play them.
3. Accidentals -- aka Sharps and Flats aka Black Keys -- There are a few to watch out for in this song. In measure 7, you'll see an A# (the black key directly above A). In measure 19, there is a G# (the black key directly above G) -- play this one with finger 3.
4. For the advanced student! Don't be fooled if you are a more advanced player, there's still plenty you can do with this song. Try playing the entire melody in your right hand. Use your ear (or listen to the recording) to find some bass notes work with the melody. You also could try to transpose the melody to other keys by ear. A good one to start with would be C minor (the original key of the song).
Happy Shedding!
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