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

Joyful and unpretentious, with the warmth of a well-known melody presented in a straightforward, singable arrangement. The music feels like gathering around the piano for a casual holiday sing-along rather than mounting a formal concert piece.

Piano students working at late elementary to early intermediate levels who want to play recognizable holiday material without extensive technical preparation. Teachers building quick-learning repertoire for holiday recitals, community performances, or seasonal student showcases.

• Keep the tempo steady but conversational; these pieces breathe better when you allow slight flexibility in phrasing rather than mechanical precision.
• Balance melody and accompaniment carefully so the tune sings over the harmonic foundation without forcing either layer.
• Lean into the rhythmic character of the holiday arrangement; syncopation and swing feel come naturally when you listen to how the parts interact.
• Practice hands separately first to establish the accompaniment pattern, then let the melody emerge as an organic layer on top.

Assign this as a performance piece in November and December when students need fresh material that doesn't require months of study. The two-page format makes it ideal for filling a slot in a holiday concert or as an encore that audiences recognize immediately.

• Reading two-staff grand staff notation with simple harmonic accompaniment
• Balancing melody and accompaniment independently on two hands
• Maintaining steady tempo while interpreting simple phrasing gestures
• Building confidence with recognizable melodies that require minimal technical preparation