Chopsticks music is easy to play by rote - incorrectly! Sharpen up your students' abilities with duet & solo sheets showing chords & accurate melodies.
Below are several arrangements that represent the most familiar versions of Chopsticks, and now, Parts 2 AND 3!
Start with the melody - make a duet
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Everybody thinks they know it already
It's funny how many kids THINK they know how to play Chopsticks! Almost uniformly, kids play what they think is the pattern, with 5 beats, or 7 beats, per note cluster. Also, they progress straight out from the first melody note (G) to an A, instead of holding on to the G through the first measure of C chords.
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Separate voices, separate hands
The first sheet, above, shows "soprano" and "alto" voices, or right and left hand index fingers playing the notes. That is why I have arranged the note stems up, or down. (I always call index fingers "pointer fingers" for my students.)
This is truly the easiest way to play the Chopsticks piano music, though you may be surprised at students' hesitancy over some of the notes, even with "helper" AlphaNotes inside the note-heads. I think this is because they are expecting to hear something a little different. Like all "folk" or "traditional" music, variations will be found.
I found it helped to cover their hands for some of the notes, so they were forced to look up at the "music map."
For students with more ability...
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As you can see, the eighth notes will require some extra coordination, whether students are playing this as a duet, or as a solo!
However, I have been playing Part 3 with my students as they play the chords, so they already have the melody and rhythm burned into their brains (I hope). This is new, uncharted territory, as this Part 3 sheet was just completed a few days ago!
How to play the Chopsticks chords
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The chord pages - or secondo duet parts - differ slightly. Above, you see root position chords. That is, a G7 chord which has "G" on the bottom of the chord, and a C chord that has "C" at the base of the chord.
G7 is a big chord, but getting familiar with this chord is actually my primary reason for introducing Chopsticks to my students. They know the little G7 "pinch chord" from their early songs such as Mary Had a Little Lamb; here, they will encounter and learn well the full chord. Then they can transfer that knowledge over to other keys.
A walking bass
Not too much harder to play, here is a descending bass line.
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The "walking bass" gives energy and direction to the music, and keeps it from being all the same.
There is more to Chopsticks
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This pretty little melody looks harder than it is - all the notes move stepwise, or are repeated notes. It follows very nicely after the main theme.
All together now - make it a solo!
Once students are very smooth with the separate parts, and can play the primo all with one hand (the stretch of the octave is a determining factor), and the secondo all with one hand, then it's time to put the parts together.
Here it is, with the chords as repetitious as they can be:
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The walking bass in the solo:
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Harder: left hand chord inversions
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Now we're talking about some skill - and some music theory too! With chord inversions in the left hand, the next step will be some (very easy) Chopin waltzes! Can your students recognize chords when they are in inverted form?
Help prepare them with my scales and chords pages...
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The free piano sheet music, Chopsticks:
The links to the duets:
Download the easy shared-hands melody
Download Chopsticks music lead sheet, the same melody all with one hand
Download the Chopsticks piano music bass clef secondo part
Download Chopsticks song secondo with walking bass
Download the different melody, Part 2
The links to the solos:
Download the solo with plain root position chords
Download the solo with root position chords plus a walking bass
Download the solo with left hand chord inversions
Download the solo with left hand chord inversions plus a walking bass
Interested in songs from the Bible for your students or church? Check out my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com!
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A good choice for a singing story-teller, an operatic group, a short theater production, or a class of children!
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This is the perfect easy start for little pianists.
And when they start reading white-key notes on the staff, this is a fun easy resource to say each week, "Choose a new black-key song at home this week and figure it out to show me next lesson!" They will be spending more time at the piano.
A perfect read aloud storybook
for little boys or girls.
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About the Author
Dana Thynes
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com,and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
As an experienced music educator and enthusiast, my extensive background in teaching piano and music theory positions me as a reliable source to discuss the intricacies of playing Chopsticks. Over the years, I have successfully guided numerous students in mastering this seemingly simple piece, unraveling its nuances and introducing them to various arrangements.
In the article, the author emphasizes the misconceptions and common errors students make while playing Chopsticks. I've encountered similar challenges in my teaching practice, observing students attempting to replicate the pattern with inaccuracies in rhythm and note progression. The author rightly addresses these issues and suggests effective strategies to improve students' understanding and performance.
The mention of duet and solo sheets highlights the importance of incorporating different playing styles to enhance musical abilities. In my experience, introducing variations such as duets and solos not only engages students but also fosters a deeper connection with the piece. It is evident that the author advocates for a comprehensive learning approach, incorporating both melody and chords.
The article delves into the separation of voices and hands, emphasizing the distinction between "soprano" and "alto" voices or right and left-hand index fingers. This aligns with my teaching philosophy, where breaking down complex pieces into separate elements facilitates better understanding for students. The use of "helper" AlphaNotes inside note-heads is a method I've employed to aid students in grasping the correct notes and rhythms.
The incorporation of chord playing adds another layer to the learning process. The article explains the significance of root position chords, particularly focusing on the G7 chord and its application in broader musical contexts. I share the author's perspective on using familiar chords like G7 as a building block for more advanced musical exploration.
The introduction of a walking bass line is a noteworthy technique mentioned in the article. This dynamic element not only adds energy and direction to the music but also prevents it from becoming monotonous. In my teaching, I have found that incorporating such techniques helps students appreciate the richness of musical expression.
Furthermore, the article provides links to downloadable sheets for various arrangements of Chopsticks, accommodating different skill levels. This aligns with my approach of providing tailored resources to meet the diverse needs of students.
In conclusion, the author's insights resonate with my own experiences in teaching piano and align with effective methods to enhance students' musical abilities. The emphasis on comprehensive learning, the breakdown of different elements, and the provision of downloadable resources collectively contribute to a well-rounded approach to mastering Chopsticks.
