The Little Drummer Boy Cover Image

The Little Drummer Boy: Piano Sheet

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
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The Little Drummer Boy Cover Image
The Little Drummer Boy: Piano Sheet

The Little Drummer Boy: Piano Sheet

By Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone / arr. Melody Bober

Level: Early Intermediate

Item: 00-39472
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Description
A wider range of the keyboard is used in this arrangement through the use of 8va and the damper pedal. Written in G major, this piece features a rhythmic ostinato in the left-hand accompaniment and harmonic thirds, fourths, fifths, and sixths in the right-hand melody. The use of D. S. al Fine creates a longer version and allows for an interlude before the return to the sign. The lyrics are included.

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Additional Details
Series: Signature Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
ISBN10: 0-7390-9154-9
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-9154-8
UPC: 038081442938
SKU: 00-39472

More about this title

About the Composer: Katherine K. Davis

Katherine K. Davis composed "The Little Drummer Boy" in 1941, creating one of the most enduring modern Christmas carols. Her gift for melody and her ability to craft singable, memorable lines made her compositions staples in churches, schools, and concert halls throughout the 20th century. Davis understood how to write music that honored both artistic integrity and accessibility, qualities that continue to draw arrangers to her work.

Why we love this

Melody Bober's arrangement respects the carol's gentle character while giving pianists real technical and musical work to do. The ostinato-driven left hand builds momentum and texture without overwhelming an early intermediate player, and the harmonic exploration in the right hand (thirds through sixths) teaches voicing and independence without feeling studious.

What to expect

Quiet reflection meets gentle momentum. The rhythmic pulse in the left hand creates forward motion, while the melody floats above with warmth and simplicity, evoking the carol's origins as a tender, intimate story. The broader keyboard range adds dimension and ensures the piece feels substantial without losing its contemplative core.

Who it's for

Early intermediate pianists seeking holiday repertoire that balances musicality with technical growth. Students working on hand independence, pedal control, and harmonic awareness will find this arrangement engaging without being discouraging.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the rhythmic ostinato in the left hand first as a steady, unhurried pulse; this foundation lets the melody sit comfortably on top rather than competing for attention.
  • Use the damper pedal thoughtfully through the harmonic progressions to blend the thirds, fourths, fifths, and sixths without muddying the texture; change it with harmonic shifts rather than on every beat.
  • Shape the 8va passages in the upper register with a lighter touch to maintain clarity and prevent the piece from becoming too thick in the middle and upper ranges.

How to use it

Include this in a winter concert as a bridge between more formal classical fare and contemporary works, or pair it with instrumental ensemble arrangements of the same carol for a thematic program segment. Its four-page length and meditative quality make it ideal for the middle of a recital, where it can ground a program's emotional arc.

Skills your students will build

  • Left-hand ostinato independence and rhythmic consistency
  • Reading and executing harmonic intervals (thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths) in the right hand
  • 8va notation and playing across an expanded keyboard range
  • Damper pedal control and harmonic listening
  • D.S. al Fine form and navigating longer harmonic structures

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