**The original score to the simplified version.**  
For more: take a look at my other scores _(simplified and original)_

**dumb-it-down.com**  
_piano accompaniment made easy_

The piano part of "solo-pieces" is arranged so anybody, with a decent knowledge of piano playing, can accompany.

- the arrangements are meant to be used in lesson by the instrumental teacher who normally can`t play the piano very well (just be honest…)  
- the arrangements can be performed in student concerts, also giving piano students the opportunity to learn to accompany  
- building same aged duos is easy now  
- the essence of the piece will not be lost  
- all pieces can be played with the original solo  
- the massive piano sound is reduced and is much more fitting to the sound of a small student instrument  
- all essential quemotives and rhythms are similar to the original part - the student will therefore not be irritated later  

If you want to stay updated subscribe to the [Youtube channel](www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-mMxkGoN0OxVLQvuJVOmw/) or visit the website [www.dumb-it-down.com](www.dumb-it-down.com/)

**Difficulty Level of the simplified scores**  
The difficulty of all pieces is reduced by at least 50% but always with an open eye for the quality of sound - judge for yourself:  
you can watch the youtube videos, and see some pages of the score.  
The piano score of most of the student pieces are manageable for piano students of the same level - so it's (finally) possible to build duos of the same age.  

**The simplified scores are ratet with a star system:**  
1 star = absolute beginner  
2 stars = beginner / side reading possible  
3 stars = needs an overview before lesson and practice before performing  
4 stars = practice before lesson and prepare own fingering  
5 stars = practice, damn it, practice   
(but hey - it's still easier than the original)  
(+) = playing only left hand gets the job done (in lesson)

Waltz Op.39 Nr.15 - for Violin & Piano

Two of the most powerful Lenten/Holy Week hymns have been combined into one anthem and is scored for a Tenor Saxophone solo with Piano accompaniment. Accessible and appropriate for any church or concert setting.

Were You There (with "What Wondrous Love Is This") (Tenor Saxophone and Piano)

This is the beautiful Nocturne op 9 no1 of Chopin.
For this arrangement I have arranged it into A minor from the original B flat minor making reading far easier. The main issue with the Nocturne was the improvisational flourishes of 22 notes against 6 etc- I have now arranged this so it is rhythmically aligned for learning purposes,(as you will see on the scores) but when performing it should sound as a "loose" with lot of rubato. 
AIso I have re-designed several of the big stretches with the left hand and supplied an alternative.
It is 7 pages long- 6.15 mins- Advanced intermediate.
Fantastic for concerts, weddings, recitals, background event music.
The recording I have made is my live performance on a digital piano (both youtube and mp3)

F Chopin "Nocturne op 9 no 1" Solo Piano Simplified Version

One of the most beloved and well known spirituals has been freshly arranged for a Flute or Violin solo with Piano accompaniment. Accessible and appropriate for any church or concert setting.

Were You There (Flute or Violin solo and Piano)

  Click HERE to browse the music.Click the PLAY button for an audio sample!   Unfortunately, your browser does not support the audio element. Please consider an upgrade.

Quintet for Winds

Festival Anthem

Schubert wrote Winterreise in 1827, about a year before his death.
The text are poems by Wilhelm Müller who died in the year that Schubert wrote Winterreise.
Schubert found the first twelve poems under the title Wanderlieder von Wilhelm Müller. Die Winterreise. In 12 Liedern in an almanack (Urania. Taschenbuch auf das Jahr 1823) published in Leipzig in 1823. It was after he set these, in February 1827, that he discovered the full series of poems in Müller's book of 1824, Poems from the posthumous papers of a travelling horn-player, dedicated to the composer Carl Maria von Weber, "as a pledge of his friendship and admiration". Weber died in 1826. On 4 March 1827, Schubert invited a group of friends to his lodgings intending to sing the first group of songs, but he was out when they arrived, and the event was postponed until later in the year, when the full performance was given.
This arrangement is made for SATB and can be sung with the original accompaniment by Schubert but there is also a set of parts for Wind-instruments. (English Horn, 2 Clarinets in Bb, Bassoon, French Horn)

Schubert, Gute Nacht from Winterreise. Arranged for SATB and Piano with Wind-Instruments ad lib. Vocal Score

Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music, or A Little Serenade) Serenade No. 13, k. 525 (1787) in 4 mvt.
Score: 42 pg. 423 ms. Duration: 17:40
Solo part: 10 pg. Piano part: 13 pg.
1. Allegro (1 - 137) quarter note = 132
2. Romanze - Andante (138 - 218) quarter note = 60
3. Menuetto - Allegretto (219 - 258) dotted half note = 48
4. Rondo - Allegro (259 - 423) half note = 90

This is thought to be the most popular of Mozart's works.
For a shorter performance, the first or second movements may be programmed alone, Also, some repeats may be omitted.
This is a great choice for recitals, church receptions, wedding receptions, school performance, private parties, anytime light-hearted high-quality classical music would set the right mood.

Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Eine kleine Nachtmusik is also at the same time known as Serenade No. 13. Indeed, we find it listed in the Köchel Catalog as K. 525. With this in mind, Mozart composed the piece by all means in 1787 probably as a commission. To clarify, the title translates as a little night-music. Mozart originally scored the work in particular for an ensemble of two violins, viola, and cello with double bass (optional). In modern times the work is certainly usually performed by string orchestras, though it is often in fact performed by a string quartet – with or without double bass.

Publication
A point often overlooked is that the name of the work derives from the entry Mozart made in his private journal. He wrote: "Eine kleine Nacht-Musik." This explains that Mozart was probably not naming the piece, but only entering a record that he had completed it. Nevertheless, the work was published by and large in 1827. It had been sold to the publisher for the most part in 1799 by Mozart's widow Constanze. Nowadays, it is on balance extensively performed and recorded. Some critics ultimately claim that it is the most popular of all Mozart's works.

 

Early Years
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791), was a productive and significant Austrian classical composer. Mozart displayed unusual musical capability from his earliest childhood. It seems like he was already capable on keyboard and violin at the age of two. He started composing at age five and performed before European royalty.

Middle Period
At 17, Mozart was working as a musician at the Salzburg Royal court but grew agitated from boredom and traveled to search for a more interesting job. While visiting Vienna in 1781, he was summarily dismissed from his Salzburg job. Nevertheless, he decided to stay in the capital (Vienna), where he achieved much fame but little economic haven. Throughout his concluding years in the Capital, he composed many of his most famous works: symphonies, operas, and concertos.

Final Period
The conditions surrounding his death have been much the subject of much conjecture and mythology. He composed more than 600 works, many recognized as highpoints of symphonic, chamber, concertante, choral, and operatic. He is among the most everlastingly popular of classical composers, and his impact is substantial on succeeding Western art music.

Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik for Alto Sax & Piano

Saint-Saëns: The Swan for Alto Sax and Piano 
Early Intermediate - Digital Download
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921). Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Romantic Period, Repertoire, Recital. Score, Set of Parts. 9 pages. Published by Jmsgu3 Publications (S0.319091). Saint-Saens: The Swan (Le Cygne) movement 13 from the Carnival of the Animals Suite. Duration: 2:50 Score: 5 pages, 28 measures. Solo part: 1 page. Piano part: 3 pages. Performance: Level: Early intermediate and up. One of his most popular and widely recognized works, it is the only movement from the Carnival Suite which Saint-Saens permitted to be performed in public during his lifetime. This is an excellent recital encore choice to demonstrate melodic playing and strategic phrasing.

The Carnival of the Animals
The Carnival of the Animals is an entertaining musical suite of fourteen movements by Camille Saint-Saëns. The work was composed for private performance by an ensemble of two pianos and solo instruments. The Swan (No. 13) is one of the most popular of the fourteen movements. In its entirety, it and lasts about 25minutes.
 
Saint-Saëns Background
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns 1835 – 1921) was, by all means, in particular, a famous French composer, brilliant organist, and significant musical mastermind of the Romantic era. Certainly, his most famous compositions, in the long run, include his Piano Concerto No. 2 (1868), Cello Concerto No. 1 (1872), and the Danse macabre (1874). Notwithstanding, we must also add the Violin Concerto No. 3 (1880), Symphony No. 3 ("the Organ Symphony, 1886") and, it must be remembered, Carnival of the Animals (1886) to the list.

Childhood
It is important to realize that Saint-Saëns was certainly, in fact, a child musical prodigy. Consequently, with this in mind he made his concert debut albeit at ten years old. Another key point to remember is that he expressly studied at the Paris Conservatoire, then in spite of reality conversely followed a traditional career path as a church organist. Nevertheless, twenty years later, on the other hand, he left to become a successful freelance pianist and composer despite, as has been noted, his former employment situation. Furthermore, his performances were after all markedly in demand - not only in Europe but above all in the Americas all in all as well.
Youth
A point often overlooked in that in his youth, Saint-Saëns was certainly excited about the modern music of the day. He was in essence fond of the music of his contemporaries, in particular, Schumann, Liszt and for the most part Wagner. In contrast, however, his own compositions seemed in fact largely confined within the conservative classical tradition. Be that as it may, he was at the same time nevertheless, in fact, a scholar of musical history.
Criticism
On the whole, his conservatism in fact ultimately brought him into frequent conflict in his later years with composers of the impressionist and in particular the dodecaphonic schools of musical thought.  A point often overlooked is that contrary to some critics, he included neoclassical elements in his music. Furthermore, in so doing he provided the most compelling evidence that he predicted the techniques and works by Stravinsky and Les Six. To put it another way, given these points, he was regarded, perhaps for the most part unfairly so, as a non-progressive reactionary henceforth around the time of his passing.
Legacy
To sum up, Saint-Saëns taught for a short time in Paris, where his students included namely Gabriel Fauré. To clarify, Maurice Ravel later studied with Fauré. In conclusion, both Ravel and Fauré were powerfully influenced by Saint-Saëns, whom they respected as a musical mastermind.

Saint-Saëns: The Swan for Alto Sax and Piano

The Hashkivenu Variations

Symphony No. 1 in D

Pot Luck no 4  from the album “Six for Sax” a jazz and Blues suite-available for Tenor
Price is for score and parts

Six for Sax is an album of pieces which incorporates rhythmical elements associated with Jazz and Blues styles, as well as written out improvisational material to perform.

There are six very different styles: “Downtown”’(driving 4 @ 2mins 15)  Cocktails,(Lazy blues @2mins.45) “City Lights” (Gritty blues@ 1min 30) “Pot Luck” (straight punchy 4,@1min 30) “Sight- Seeing”(Jazz waltz@2mins 12), “Walk’ in the Rain”(medium swing@2mins 30)

 Part of each piece has a section marked “impro” and this written out section should be interpreted as if improvising.

There are no metronome markings or speeds, but a suggested “feel” which can be interpreted by the player.  Dynamic markings are also minimal to give the player freedom of choice, but articulations have been included where necessary.

The piano parts provide very full support. They have no lead lines and leave the sax to be prominent. The pieces benefit from being in user friendly keys for both players!

The pieces originally started life as exercises, but make ideal concert pieces, and could be used as exercises as part of further study. They are approximately Associated Board Grade 5 to around 7 - advanced intermediate.

"Pot Luck" for Alto Sax and Piano

27 Etudes for the Advancing Tuba Player

The new harmonies in this Piano Trio arrangement (Violin, Cello &amp; Piano) of O Sanctissima provide a fresh sound for this beautiful hymn.   This hymn may also be known under the subtitle “Inna dei Siciliani Marinaio” (Hymn of the Sicilian mariner).  This is the hymn being sung in the background by a choir in the classic film "The Bells of St. Mary" which starred Bing Crosby.  ASCAP

O Sanctissima (Piano Trio)

8 Christmas Duets for 2 trombones or bass cleff reading brass. Grades 1-4.

Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas,Good King Wenceslas, O Little Town, Silent Night, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Deck The Halls and Ding Dong Merrily on High. 

Check out my other duets too!

14 Easy Duets (Grades 0 to 2)
14 Fun Duets (Grades 2 to 4)
9 Spirituals (Grades 1 to 4)

There are also some trios and quartets too.

8 Christmas Duets For Trombone

Click HERE to browse the music.Click the PLAY button for an audio sample!

Du bist die Ruh for for High Voice in E-flat Major

The King Shall Come (with "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus") (for Soprano Saxophone and Piano)

All Creatures Of Our God And King (for Cello solo and Piano)

difficulty level of the piano score: * * (+)

**dumb-it-down.com**  
_piano accompaniment made easy_

The piano part of "solo-pieces" is arranged so anybody, with a decent knowledge of piano playing, can accompany.

- the arrangements are meant to be used in lesson by the instrumental teacher who normally can`t play the piano very well (just be honest…)  
- the arrangements can be performed in student concerts, also giving piano students the opportunity to learn to accompany  
- building same aged duos is no problem anymore  
- the essence of the piece will not be lost  
- all pieces can be played with the original solo  
- the massive piano sound is reduced and is much more fitting to the sound of a small student instrument  
- all essential quemotives and rhythms are similar to the original part - the student will therefore not be irritated later  

If you want to stay updated subscribe to the [Youtube channel](www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-mMxkGoN0OxVLQvuJVOmw/) or visit the website [www.dumb-it-down.com](www.dumb-it-down.com/)  

**Difficulty Level**  
The difficulty of all pieces is reduced by at least 50% but always with an open eye for the quality of sound - judge for yourself:  
you can watch the youtube videos, and see some pages of the score.  
The piano score of most of the student pieces are manageable for piano students of the same level - so it's (finally) possible to build duos of the same age.  


**The simplified scores are ratet with a star system:**  
1 star = absolute beginner  
2 stars = beginner / side reading possible  
3 stars = needs an overview before lesson and practice before performing  
4 stars = practice before lesson and prepare own fingering  
5 stars = practice, damn it, practice   
(but hey - it's still easier than the original)  
(+) = playing only left hand gets the job done (in lesson)

Arioso from Cantata BWV 156 - for Violin (orig.) & Piano (simplified)

This piece was written as I became enthralled with the poetry of e.e. cummings, which I was introduced to through Vincent Persichetti's choir adaptations of his work. in Just- stood out to me in particular for its use of spacing and language to mimic the way a child would excitedly talk about the season of Springtime.  Here, I attempt to capture the excited nature of the child's voice through an unstable key and a quick tempo, which I genuinely enjoy. Three years later, this is still one of my favorite songs I have ever written.

[in Just-] | Voice & Piano

Featured music

ENTHEOS (Grade 3) is a loud and frantic piece. It is the root of the word "Enthusiasm". It was also a celebration of the god Dionysus, where worshippers danced wildly while tearing a wild bull apart with their hands and teeth. This was accompanied by frantic music with loud cymbals.  The score included is 8.5x11. If you need a larger score, you can find it on J.W. Pepper

Entheos

Pomp and Circumstance - The classic Trio from Edward Elgar's March No. 1 in D, this Flex Band arrangement will serve you and your students well for any graduation ceremony that you need to play for.  Written in 5 parts, percussion, and optional piano to fill out voicings, the piece is also written with optional octaves for key parts so even players with not much experience can still play the melody line if needed. There are also director suggestions enclosed within for special situations.

Pomp and Circumstance

NATIONAL PASTTIME MARCHPlaying with the melody from "Take Me Out To the Ballgame" your band will feel like they're at the "old ballgame". They'll get to hit the ball, call the batter out and bring the feel of the game to your audience. This listed as Grade 2 but most of the parts are much easier. The few chromatic sections increase the difficulty from a Grade 1

National Pasttime March

BreakAway (Grade 1) Great piece for that end of year festival piece for beginner band or mid-year for 2nd-year players. There is a LOT of percussion parts to go around but it can be played with much fewer parts. Low brass/WW is unison. Clarinet and trumpet are split but it is for range issues with younger players. Rhythms on these are unison.

BreakAway

BOWIE MARCH is a quick (120bpm) march. It should be played in a very lifted, marcato style through out. Limted syncopation in melody and accompaniment give it a energetic, moving, bouncy motion. Major key of Eb in A section - B section in F minor. Though many parts are split, they are rhythmically unison and often pitch unison. They help mostly with range.

James Bowie March

BATTLE SCAR (Grade 1.5) is an exciting piece for young concert band. While the ranges are suitable for all 2nd-year players, the rhythms and percussion make this a level 1.5. The rhythm for all wind parts are mostly unison. Low brass is almost entirely unison. Percussion is much more aggressive but can be played with fewer players/parts if necessary.

BATTLE SCAR

Fast-paced and exciting piece that would be a great opener for a concert. It immediately grabs the audience's attention and holds it to the end.  Strong rhythms with driving percussion. Duration 3'30"

ANTICIPATIONS

ALPHA MARCH is written for beginner band, it is closer to a Grade 1/2. It uses a very playable tune for that spring contest. ​It incorporates Bb & Eb mini-scales as the melodic theme (no key change!). Everyone gets a shot at the melody!

Alpha March

Alleluia No. 1 For Band

Fun tune for a Fall/Halloween concert. Ranges and rhythms are very playable and lots of fun SCARY sound effects. Creativity is encouraged at making your own sounds.

AAAGGGHHH!!!

Chariot - Intense.  5 Part Flex.  Intense.  Did I say this was an intense piece?  Follow the Chariot through an intense battle and race through the coliseum that includes a great study in triplets, style, blend, and recognizing melody elements. Written with cinematic elements in mind, Chariot will engage your students with awesome intensity and plenty of parts for everyone including percussion.  This is written with high school groups in mind, however an advanced middle school could very easily pull this piece off.  Coming soon with this piece are rhythm study sheets for each instrument.

Chariot

This piece can be used as a concert title or concert march. It unapologetically is based on Holts' Mars piece.

A Galaxy Marches On

6th Street March

This fantastic piece from Carmen has been arranged here for two violins and piano.The top note is E flat and the range is two octaves. No bowing has been included as I've left this to the individual players.Both violin parts are pretty equal as I've shared the melody and harmony between them. I've placed it at intermediate level but an early intermediate player may be fine with it.  The youtube link has the full score for you to judge.Great for concerts, weddings, recitals- it's a favourite for many people.It is 3 minutes in length and the full score is 10 pages.Price is for the score and parts.

"Seguidilla" From Bizet's "Carmen". Violin Duet and Piano- Intermediate

This fantastic piece from Carmen has been arranged here for two flutes and piano.The top note is E flat and the range is two octaves. Both flute parts are pretty equal as I've shared the melody and harmony between them. I've placed it at intermediate level but an early intermediate player may be fine with it. The youtube link has the full score for you to judge.Great for concerts, weddings, recitals- it's a favourite for many people.It is 3 minutes in length and the full score is 10 pages.Price is for the score and parts.

"Seguidilla" From Bizet's "Carmen". Flute Duet and Piano- Intermediate

Arabesque No 1 Debussy- Clarinet and Piano- Top end Intermediate (Violin and Flute and Piano versions available)This beautiful piece originally for piano solo has been carefully arranged for Clarinet and piano.It has been arranged into concert C- with the clarinet range being 2 octaves. It is top end Intermediate, but the youtube link has the whole score for you to judge.It is really lovely to play at weddings, recitals, concerts etc.The full score is 10 pages long and the piece is nearly 5 mins in length.Price is for the score and parts

Arabesque No 1 Debussy- Clarinet and Piano- Intermediate

Arabesque No 1 Debussy- Violin and Piano- Advanced Intermediate ( Flute and Piano version also available)This beautiful piece originally for piano solo has been carefully arranged for violin and piano.It has been kept in the original key.It is really lovely to play at weddings, recitals, concerts etc.Placed at Advanced intermediate level, although a competent Intermediate player may find it beneficial.The full score is 10 pages long and the piece is nearly 5 mins in length.

Arabesque No 1 Debussy- Violin and Piano- Advanced Intermediate

Sunshine is a bright jazz waltz for two violins and piano.It is in G major in ternary form. Both violin parts are equally divided and there is a "conversational" type improvisation section in the middle- could be a useful introduction to the style.The violin has a range of 2 octaves with the highest note top F natural which comes twice.It is 3 minutes in length and the full score is 12 pages. Upper end intermediate level but the youtube link has the full score for you to judge.It would work well in a number of situations- concerts, weddings, productions, recitals, graduations etc.Price is for full score and parts.

"Sunshine" A Jazz Waltz for Violin Duet and Piano- Intermediate

Sunshine is a bright jazz waltz for two Alto Sax's and piano. It is in concert G major in ternary form. Both sax parts are equally divided and there is a "conversational" type improvisation section in the middle- could be a useful introduction to the style.The sax has a range of 2 octaves with the highest note top D which comes twice.It is 3 minutes in length and the full score is 12 pages. Upper end intermediate level but the youtube link has the full score for you to judge.It would work well in a number of situations- concerts, weddings, productions, recitals, graduations etc.

"Sunshine" A Jazz Waltz for Alto Sax Duet and Piano- Intermediate

Sunshine is a bright jazz waltz for two clarinets and piano.It is in concert F major in ternary form. Both clarinet parts are equally divided and there is a "conversational" type improvisation section in the middle- could be a useful introduction to the style.The clarinet has a range of 2 octaves with the highest note top E flat which comes twice.It is 3 minutes in length and the full score is 12 pages. Upper end intermediate level but the youtube link has the full score for you to judge.It would work well in a number of situations- concerts, weddings, productions, recitals, graduations etc.

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