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Inch-by-Inch: Piano Sheet

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Inch-by-Inch: Piano Sheet

Inch-by-Inch: Piano Sheet

By Tom Gerou

Level: Elementary

Item: 00-40629
$3.50
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Description
You'll be amazed as "inch-by-inch" your students master this clever solo about a child growing larger as they reach their pre-teen years! In the key of C major, the alternating between melodic slurs and bouncy staccatos helps to paint a picture of a growing person, while also providing a challenge for elementary-level piano students.

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Additional Details
Series: Signature Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
ISBN10: 0-7390-9430-0
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-9430-3
UPC: 038081455297
SKU: 00-40629

More about this title

About the Composer: Tom Gerou

Tom Gerou

Tom Gerou has written and arranged over 160 pieces for musicians at all levels, establishing himself as a prolific voice in music education. His work spans pedagogical texts (The Essential Dictionary of Music Notation and Essential Dictionary of Orchestration), comprehensive piano curricula, and original compositions that teachers consistently turn to in their studios. He holds degrees in composition from the University of Southern California and Yale University, and his arrangements appear throughout Alfred's Basic Piano Library series.

Gerou's contributions to the field extend beyond the page. He has received commissions from major organizations including the North Dakota Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association Collaborative Commissioning Project. His theatrical scores earned two Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for original music, and his compositional achievements include a Morton Gould Young Composer Award, two Rena Greenwald Awards, and a Jimmy McHugh Composition Prize. He has led workshops for music educators across the United States and internationally.

Why we love this

Gerou understands what elementary pianists need to hear and play at this stage of development, and this piece proves it. The interplay between lyrical slurs and crisp staccatos gives students concrete technical goals while telling a story they can picture themselves in, making the practice work feel purposeful. The C major setting keeps the focus on execution rather than key signatures, so students can genuinely succeed at conveying musical character.

What to expect

Growing taller happens in small moments, and this piece captures that idea through a gentle, playful narrative. Smooth slurs suggest stretching and reaching, while bouncy staccatos show movement and energy, creating a musical portrait of childhood development that feels both clever and genuinely expressive.

Who it's for

Elementary-level piano students ready to explore articulation as a storytelling tool. This piece works particularly well for students who can handle basic C major technique and are beginning to understand that how you play matters as much as what you play.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melodic slurs with gentle weight and release; resist the urge to make them sound disconnected from the bouncy staccato passages that follow. Both articulations belong to the same character.
  • Listen for where the staccatos want to dance versus where they should feel grounded. Not every staccato note bounces equally; dynamic contrast makes the piece feel alive.
  • Practice the transitions between slurred and staccato sections in isolation. Students often rush these changes or lose hand position, so slow them down first and build confidence before tempo.

How to use it

Position this as a spring or end-of-year showcase piece when students have built the technical foundation to tackle articulation contrasts with confidence. Its narrative clarity and accessible key signature make it an excellent choice for a young piano solo in a mixed recital, or pair it with other character pieces that explore movement and growth as a mini-theme.

Skills your students will build

  • Contrast between legato slurs and staccato articulation
  • Shaping melodic lines with consistent phrase phrasing
  • Hand positioning and finger control in C major
  • Musical storytelling through articulation choices
  • Tempo and rhythm stability across articulation changes

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