Sight Reading Children's Songs by Chick Corea 1-10

Chick Corea started writing Children's Songs in 1971. They were recorded by him in 1983 and released in 1984 (lable EMC). Length 36:14
 His work has been compared to Bartok's Mikrokosmos because of its use of pentatonic scales, its variety of moods, cross-rhythms and increased challenges. I am not a fan of such comparisons but it is a helpful way to draw a picture of this composition to teachers who don't know it yet. I read an absurd parallel of these pieces with Ligeti's studies which made my hair raise. If I were to compare them with any work, it would be to Robert Starer's "At Home Alone." Starer wrote it around the same time, in 1980 and dedicated them to "...people who play the piano when they are at home alone. This does not mean that they cannot be played for others, in private or in public; of course they can. It only means that the images, views, sounds and thoughts will come, as they did to me, when you are at home alone." (Starer) I had a similar feeling when I read through Corea's songs. Same combination of modern, erudite and jazz languages. Corea's composition gave me this sensation that everyone would love to play Children's Songs at home alone...
About his work, Corea wrote:"The Children's Songs are the first collection I've written specifically for solo keyboard. I wrote the first song in 1971 to convey simplicity as beauty, as represented in the spirit of a child. Songs 1 through 15 were composed for Fender Rhodes and 16 through 20 for the acoustic piano, although any of the songs can be played on either instrument. Songs 17 through 20 were composed during a one month period in 1980, completing the series. The songs lend themselves nicely to various forms of expansion with orchestration." (Chick Corea)
 This composition provides the teachers with an opportunity to not only teach sight reading but to teach form as well.

                             About Sight Reading Them

 No. 1 
Time Signature 6/8.  My favorite time signature to practice sight reading because it always provides   the student with opportunities to look ahead.
Here Corea uses obstinati accompaniment and builds a dreamy atmosphere as if the child is still asleep and will gently be awaken through the set.
Both hands 'read' in contrary motion.

No.2
Pay attention to how well Corea writes the metronome markings helping the student to embody the sophisticated rhythms.
Hands 'read' in parallel motion.
Very comfortable and pianistic writing.
Once again, long notes give the student time to predict and prepare ahead.
The last 7 measures are helpful for visualizing the differences between 6ths and 5ths.

 No.3
Time signature 6/8.
Two voices on the LH.
Obstinati accompaniment again making reading pleasant.
Wonderful example of conveying a message in just under a minute. Less is indeed More.
I love how these pieces don't finish. They just stop!

 No.4 
Time signature 6/8 and obstinati accompaniment. Here the obstinati bass counts for the student so concentration can be entirely focused on reading.
Good exercise in reading melodic and harmonic 6ths.

 No. 5 
Interesting rhythm alternating between hands.
The half notes at the beginning of each measure allows the student to prepare the next chord and   accidentals.
Helpful time signature and metronome marking instructions.
Rich articulation.

 No.6 
 Two sharps.
 First opportunity for both RH and LH to read the treble clef.
 Obstinati accompaniment.
 Time signature 3/4 but played "in one" thus giving you the same 6/8 feeling.
 Use of appogggiaturas.

 No.7 
 One sharp.
 6/8
 Obstinati accompaniment.
 5ths on the RH.
 Easy to read.
 Chromatic but accidentals are always preceded by long notes so there is time to look ahead.

 No.8
 4/4
 LH and RH can read treble clef.
 Highly chromatic.
 Exercises four voices.
 Rich dynamic markings.
 Technically this is the most challenging so far with plenty of opportunities to scan the score due to  the frequent use of half notes.

 No.9 
 2/4
 Two sharps.
 Rich articulation in both hands.
 Nice jazz flavor.

 No.10
 LH rhythms help with counting.
 Very challenging because the melody is unpredictable and betray our expectations (I talk about this   in earlier posts). Previous experiences and expectations are very helpful for sight readers. Having no expectations is a challenge and one has to work much harder.

 Recommended reading: http://compassrosebooks.blogspot.com/2012/05/chick-coreas-childrens-songs.html
http://www.acmerecords.com/chickpaper.html

Next post will describe  Children's Songs 11-20.