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My Diet: Piano Sheet

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
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My Diet Cover Image
My Diet: Piano Sheet

My Diet: Piano Sheet

By Willard A. Palmer

Level: Elementary

Item: 00-2291
$3.50
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Description
This is an amusing elementary level piano solo written by Willard A. Palmer for his granddaughter. The five verses of lyrics are dedicated to those on a diet who also happen to like cookies! The piece is written for the C position, alternating between C major and C minor and ending brightly on the major triad.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
ISBN10: 1-4706-3098-2
ISBN13: 978-1-4706-3098-0
UPC: 038081037615
SKU: 00-2291

More about this title

About the Composer: Willard A. Palmer

Willard A. Palmer

Willard A. Palmer was a prolific composer whose catalog of 789 published works spans accordion, piano, guitar, and choral music, many translated into German, Japanese, French, Dutch, and Spanish. Beyond his compositional output, Palmer built a distinguished career as a music scholar and educator, serving on the faculty at the University of Houston where he taught accordion for 18 years and conducted the choir at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston.

Palmer's musical foundation began in childhood; he performed piano on the radio at age 13 and studied with Mae Vardeman, whose emphasis on improvisation fundamentals shaped his approach to technique. His later scholarly work focused on Classical and Baroque music, particularly ornamentation, which formed the foundation for the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series. He received a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983, and served as a director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute.

Why we love this

Palmer writes with genuine affection for his young students, and this piece proves it. The humor is real, not condescending; the musical concept (alternating C major and minor) is pedagogically sound without feeling like a lesson. A piece that makes both teacher and student smile while reinforcing key harmonic and technical concepts deserves a place in every elementary piano repertoire list.

What to expect

Playful and relatable. The piece captures the internal debate of someone trying to diet while surrounded by temptation, shifting between wistful (minor) and optimistic (major) as the narrative unfolds. It lands with a bright, decisive ending that suggests either success or determined humor about the whole situation.

Who it's for

Elementary piano students who are ready to work in a fixed hand position and can manage alternating major and minor tonalities. This piece works equally well for students learning about tonality for the first time and for those ready to explore harmonic color within a limited technical framework.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape each verse as a distinct musical thought. The lyrical content changes, so let the phrasing breathe and reset between sections rather than rushing through all five verses as one unit.
  • Emphasize the color shift between C major and C minor passages by adjusting touch and tone quality. Major sections can feel lighter; minor sections warrant a slightly deeper, more introspective sound.
  • Land the final C major triad with genuine brightness and confidence. This resolution is earned and should feel satisfying after the minor-key wandering.

How to use it

Pair this with other character pieces at the elementary level for a recital that celebrates storytelling in music. Its humor and accessibility make it ideal for student recitals where the audience includes younger siblings or family members unfamiliar with classical piano literature. The short length and clear form also make it suitable for young student performances in community settings or informal concerts.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and playing in C position with alternating C major and C minor
  • Understanding tonal contrast and how harmonic color serves musical meaning
  • Maintaining hand position integrity across multiple phrases
  • Interpreting text and lyrics as a guide to musical expression and phrasing

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