The Water Is Wide Cover Image

The Water Is Wide: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Sheet

$4.99 USD
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The Water Is Wide Cover Image
The Water Is Wide: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Sheet

The Water Is Wide: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Sheet

Arranged by Mary K. Sallee

Level: Late Intermediate

Item: 00-17056
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Description
The classic British Isles folk song is arranged by Mary K. Sallee for late intermediate piano duet. The inspirational melody in G major is carried primarily by the primo part, while the secondo part plays a guitar-style accompaniment. The piece ends with an ascending whole-step modulation for an uplifting effect.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081150192
SKU: 00-17056

More about this title

About the Composer: Mary K. Sallee

Mary K. Sallee

Mary K. Sallee studied piano and voice at the University of Oklahoma, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees with a focus on performance and pedagogy. She spent a year abroad at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, deepening her musical training in one of Europe's great musical centers.

Since 1986, Sallee has maintained a private piano studio in Norman, Oklahoma, where she works extensively with adult students. Her contributions to music education extend across multiple roles: she has taught adjunct faculty at Oklahoma Baptist University, served as Oklahoma Music Teachers Association state president, held a term as MTNA Director, and remains active as a clinician, adjudicator, and festival director. As a prolific composer and arranger, she has published approximately 60 works through various outlets, including several pieces recognized by the National Federation of Music Clubs. Beyond composition, she performs as a jazz ensemble leader, church musician, and freelance accompanist, while also commissioning and arranging choral works for religious and community ensembles.

Why we love this

This arrangement respects the folk melody's simplicity while giving both players something genuinely musical to do. The guitar-style accompaniment in the secondo part creates an authentic harmonic foundation without overwhelming the primo's singing line, making it accessible for players at different technical levels yet satisfying to perform together.

What to expect

The arrangement draws out the quiet nostalgia and emotional warmth of this beloved traditional melody, with the secondo's guitar-inspired accompaniment evoking an intimate, reflective setting. The final modulation brings a gentle uplift that respects the song's contemplative nature while offering the satisfaction of a carefully earned arrival.

Who it's for

Pianists at the late intermediate level who are exploring duet repertoire and benefit from clear melodic writing paired with approachable accompanying figuration. This piece suits students ready to balance two independent parts at the same keyboard and to work on collaborative musicmaking with another pianist.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the primo's melody with gentle support from the secondo; this folk song lives in its lyrical quality, not in driving rhythm or dramatic contrast.
  • Pedal conservatively in the primo part to maintain clarity of the melody, especially where the secondo's accompaniment figure might blur.
  • Shape the phrase through dynamic softness rather than tempo fluctuation; this strengthens the improvisational, unhurried character of traditional folk singing.
  • Prepare the modulation carefully so the final key shift feels organic rather than abrupt; the uplifting effect depends on ensemble cohesion in this moment.

How to use it

Pair this with other folk-song arrangements to create a thematic concert section that celebrates the duet repertoire available in traditional music. It also works well as a prelude or interlude piece in a recital program, offering listeners a moment of repose between more ambitious contemporary works.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing melody and accompaniment at one keyboard
  • Coordinating independent hand independence between two performers
  • Interpreting lyrical phrasing in traditional melodic material
  • Managing registration and pedaling with a duet partner
  • Recognizing and executing modulations smoothly

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