Mountain Railway: Piano Sheet

Name: Mountain Railway: Piano Sheet
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-2379
Price: 3.50 USD
Availability: InStock

By Lynn Freeman Olson

Level: Late Elementary

Item: 00-2379

$3.50

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Young performers will love the musical imagery of the chugging of the train, complete with whistle, set in G Major and 4/4 meter. The early intermediate student will be playing detached open fifths in the left hand against legato melody in the right hand, and will be using hand positions that are "old friends" from his or her study in the Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson books. There is some use of accidentals and changing dynamics and a moderate amount of hand movement, mainly in the right hand. A Federation Festivals 2016-2020 selection. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mountain Railway: Piano Sheet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred's Basic Piano Library

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 4

ISBN10: 1-4706-3104-0

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-3104-8

UPC: 038081037950

SKU: 00-2379

More about this title

About the Composer: Lynn Freeman Olson

Lynn Freeman Olson has been a cornerstone of elementary piano pedagogy for decades, known for writing music that speaks directly to young pianists through vivid imagery and carefully calibrated technical challenges. Her compositions in the Alfred's Basic Piano Library series have shaped the early piano experience for generations of students, balancing approachable hand positions with genuine musical substance.

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Why we love this

Mountain Railway captures what makes early intermediate piano teaching rewarding: students get to play a piece with real character and narrative arc while consolidating hand positions they already know. The contrast between detached left-hand fifths and singing right-hand melody creates genuine textural interest without overcomplicating the technical demands, and the train imagery hooks young players immediately.

What to expect

The piece unfolds like watching a train pull away from the station: deliberate, rhythmic, and full of purposeful motion. The detached left-hand fifths create a mechanical pulse that feels almost hypnotic, while the right-hand melody soars above it with a sense of journey and adventure.

Who it's for

Late elementary pianists working through Alfred's Basic Piano Library and ready to apply familiar hand positions to a piece with real musical storytelling. This works equally well for students preparing for festival performances or simply wanting to learn repertoire that rewards careful listening and musical thinking.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening whistle figure with clear articulation, letting each note breathe slightly before the train begins its journey.
Keep the detached fifths in the left hand crisp and even; they're the engine's rhythm, so consistency matters more than dynamics.
Use the accidentals as character moments rather than obstacles. They arrive strategically to add color, so give them gentle emphasis.
Manage hand movement in the right hand by planning shifts ahead; this prevents rushing and allows the melody to soar over the steady left-hand ostinato.

How to use it

Program this on a student recital to showcase technical progress while keeping the audience engaged through storytelling. It also works beautifully in a themed concert celebrating music that depicts movement or nature, or as a confidence builder for students approaching their first festival entry.