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Easy pieces for beginners

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2022 2:32 am
by James
So far I have managed a one octave scale and "When the Saints go marching in". If anyone can suggest some simple pieces for me to work on, it would be helpful. I'm working on my tuning, so repeating a tune over and over is important.

Re: Easy pieces for beginners

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2022 5:24 am
by BGuttman
There are a bunch of songs with limited ranges. Often they show up in the elementary tutor books. Things like "Hot Cross Buns", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "How Dry I am".

If you feel these are "beneath" you, try Tin Roof Blues, Basin Street Blues, When You're Smiling, and other popular Dixieland tunes.

I remember Vern Kagarice demonstrating how to expand your range using the hymn "Amazing Grace". Play it in 1st starting on F, then down 1/2 step, down another, etc. you can easily get to 4th position before things start getting a little crazy. If you really want challenge, do it in all 7.

Meanwhile, keep trying to expand your range so you can play more tunes.

Re: Easy pieces for beginners

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2022 11:25 pm
by James
Thanks! I have loads of music books, and I'm sure I can look these up. I already know some of them, of course.
I'll need to get a book to move forward, just wanted to get the feel of the instrument before going back to the music shop. I can feel/hear the tuning, but I think I can have some fun with "Amazing Grace"!