Big Black Bear Cover Image

Big Black Bear: Piano Sheet

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
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Big Black Bear Cover Image
Big Black Bear: Piano Sheet

Big Black Bear: Piano Sheet

By Carol Matz

Level: Early Elementary

Item: 00-32830
$3.50
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Description
Young students will enjoy exploring the lower registers of the piano with this clever solo. Both the music and the lyrics depict the antics of a large bear trying to climb a tree. Dynamic changes and accents add to the effect. The melody is divided between the hands with the left-hand thumb remaining on Middle C throughout the piece, and the right hand thumb staying mostly on D. Together, they create the key of A minor. An optional duet accompaniment written in the upper register of the piano provides harmony and adds to the drama of the piece.

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Additional Details
Series: Signature Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
UPC: 038081357454
SKU: 00-32830

More about this title

About the Composer: Carol Matz

Carol Matz

Carol Matz has composed and arranged more than 300 works for piano students, drawing on her background as both a performer and classroom teacher. She studied composition, arranging, and orchestration at the University of Miami and has presented teaching workshops internationally across the United States, Canada, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Matz's versatility extends across many musical settings. Beyond her prolific piano catalog, she has written for orchestra, jazz big band, brass quintet, and string quartet, and contributed studio arrangements for recording artists in the Miami area. Her Famous & Fun series, published by Alfred Music, remains widely used in piano studios.

Why we love this

The lower register work here is genuinely purposeful rather than gimmicky; Matz uses the bear's climbing adventure to anchor a focused technical goal without sacrificing musical interest. The optional duet accompaniment transforms a solo study into an engaging collaboration, making it rewarding for both student and teacher (or older sibling) to perform together.

What to expect

Playful and slightly mischievous, with a touch of drama as the bear makes its climb. The lower register adds weight and character, while dynamic swells and sudden accents create moments of surprise and movement.

Who it's for

Young pianists beginning to explore the full keyboard and ready to handle independent melodic ideas in both hands. Students who respond well to program music and storytelling will connect immediately with the bear narrative.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish a steady tempo before adding dynamics and accents. The bear's movements need a consistent heartbeat to land properly.
  • Exaggerate the dynamic contrasts to bring the story to life. These shifts between soft and loud moments are what make the character convincing.
  • Practice each hand separately, focusing on comfortable thumb positioning on the target keys. Once the hand shapes feel natural, the coordination between them emerges more easily.
  • If performing with the duet accompaniment, balance the registers so the upper-register harmony supports without overwhelming the melody in the lower register.

How to use it

A perfect choice for early-level recitals, where the story element engages family audiences and the solo showcases the student's ability to work both hands independently. The piece also works well in studio performances where duet options add programming flexibility.

Skills your students will build

  • Lower register navigation and hand independence across a wider keyboard span
  • Thumb placement and anchoring on specific keys (Middle C and D) while other fingers move
  • Dynamic control and accent placement to enhance musical narrative
  • Reading and coordinating melody divided between both hands in A minor
  • Duet coordination and balance (when performed with accompaniment)

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