What Did I Say To Old St. Nick: E-Z Play Today

Lighthearted and nostalgic, with the conversational warmth of a story told around the piano. The piece captures that tongue-in-cheek humor that comes from reflecting on holiday memories and misadventures.

Elementary and middle school pianists preparing holiday recital pieces, as well as teachers seeking accessible seasonal material that doesn't require advanced technical skills. The E-Z Play format makes this approachable for students building sight-reading confidence.

• Keep the tempo conversational and unhurried. This song benefits from a comfortable pace that lets the lyrical humor land.
• Lean into the accompaniment patterns to establish a steady groove. The simplicity of the notation shouldn't flatten the rhythmic feel.
• Balance melody and bass line carefully so both can be heard. The story unfolds through both parts working together.

Feature this in a winter concert's lighter half, pairing it with other accessible holiday selections for maximum audience connection. It also works well as a solo recital piece for intermediate pianists seeking material with genuine character beyond technical display.

• Reading simple melodic lines with accompanying chord notation
• Maintaining steady accompaniment patterns while playing melody
• Interpreting lyrics and character through instrumental playing
• Developing fluency in reading E-Z Play format