This is one of my all time favorite teaching pieces. It has been outstanding for middle school boys over the years. Right now, I have a 7 year old boy playing it, and it is absolutely, in his mind, the best piece ever. He can't stop playing it.

My question is, what to follow this up with? This 7 year old is talented and needs to be keyed in, but he needs to be inspired with more pieces like this. Any ideas? This child is talented, very muscular in his playing,(likes to play LOUDLY)is very small with tiny hands, and insanely intelligent and musical. He transposes, has perfect pitch, but doesn't have a whole lot of patience for pieces he can't learn easily. His reading is improving, but his rote learning is very fast.

I need more ideas like this!
Carol

Carol, what level is this 7 year old playing? (I'm not familiar with Goldston's Night Train.)

I went to a music store today and picked up Faber's "Kids Songs" in Play Time (level 3)series and in Big Time (level 4) series. I'm getting ready to play through them now. They look like they'll be great!

Uh, never mind. Played through the books. They are OK, but I was disappointed. I especially disliked the revised version of Pink Panther. The arrangement in 3A Popular book is MUCH better.

I don't think these books will be all that handy in my studio. Except for an adult or two who may find certain titles interesting. The only piece I really like is "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story.

I guess I'm finding I'm not a fan of Disney music.

Sad to say, but I'm beginning to see how pieces are rewarmed and put in new packaging in books with a differnt title.

Carol, I searched for Night Train on sheetmusic plus. It's described as Late Elementary. Got enthusastic review. I intend to purchase it. Thanks for telling us about it.

The website lists pieces that other people bought (who bought Night Train).

Here are 2 of the suggestions:

Rhythm Machine by Lynn Freeman Olson (got great review)
The Notorious Pirate by Nancy Faber

(I'm not familiar with them but they look like late elementary pieces and as I mentioned, were purchased by others who bought Night Train.

Hope this helps. (Please disregard my criticism of Kids Songs. Those books serve a purpose and try to keep things fun as kids do more work at their current level.)

Hi CarolR,

If it's okay with you, I'd like to share you post with Chris. He's on the faculty with me here at the Sherwood Community Music School in Chicago. I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing how much your student has enjoyed his piece. He may even opt to use your quote, 'best piece ever' in his promo materials. I would! : )

As your student progresses just a bit more, you might have him take a listen to some of the pieces I've reviewed on my podcast, Repertoire Review. Each week, I play a piece of teaching repertoire at the early to late intermediate level. I know I've discovered a lot of great new pieces I've never heard of in making the podcast. Hopefully, it's useful to some teachers and students out there as well.

http://www.repertoirereview.com

- Luke