We love giving classical tunes a pop music makeover, but we can’t put a modern twist on just any old piano piece.
Generally, when selecting a classical piece, we need to first like the song, and then we need to hear the smallest allusion to a modern melody.
With today’s teen piano solo we are breaking our first rule… kind of.
You see, I do not particularly like Auld Lang Syne. In fact, I find the tune a tad depressing.
Andrea, on the other hand, has an affinity for the New Year’s anthem.
So, rather than avoiding a music makeover for Auld Lang Syne, I challenged Andrea to turn it into something we both can love!
And, of course, she knocked it out of the park.
In today’s post, we are sharing a pop-inspired rendition of Auld Lang Syne. If you love the original, you will love this piece. And, if you’re not a fan of the original, you will love this piece even more.
An Auld Lang Syne Pop Piano Solo
With its lilting melody, your students will instantly recognize our Auld Lang Syne pop piano solo. It is a pedagogical powerhouse that offers opportunities to practice arpeggiated left-hand patterns, dotted quarter note rhythms, and phrasing inner and outer melodies. This piece can also be used to explore hand balance, both in terms of how to highlight the familiar right-hand melody over a busy left-hand pattern, and in terms of how to weave together the rich, full sound created by both hands at the top of page 2.
Set in G major, this piece can be a quick-learn for your mid to late-intermediate students. It is one of those “sounds harder than it is” compositions.
If you have older students in lower levels who are reaching for this piece, spend some time first gaining comfort with the left-hand cross-overs that occur, before putting it together with the right hand. We recommend beginning your hands-together work at the top of page 2 for some instant success, as these measures provide an easy rhythm to coordinate between right and left hands.
You can download our Auld Lang Syne pop piano solo at the bottom of the post.
Order Your Motivating Teen Music For 2024
If your teen students are looking for a change in 2024, it is time to introduce them to the classical-pop piano music found in the WunderKeys Teen Method Books.
In our Intermediate Piano Program, we have pioneered a pedagogically-sound program that motivates teens with classical-pop piano music and engaging age-appropriate activities.
With January just around the corner now is a great time to order your WunderKeys Teen Method books so your shelves are stocked when 2024 begins.
The WunderKeys Intermediate Piano Program is divided into four levels (1 – 3) and covers every major and minor key in the circle of fifths.
Intermediate Level 1
WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 1 (Available on Amazon)
An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 1 (Available on Amazon)
Intermediate Level 2
WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 2 (Available on Amazon)
An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 2 (Available on Amazon)
Intermediate Level 3
WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 3 (Available on Amazon)
An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 3 (Available on Amazon)
Download Our New Year’s Pop Piano Solo
Composed in G Major, today’s pop piano rendition of Auld Lang Syne is intended for students working in an Intermediate Level 2 piano book.
Click here or on the image below to download this piano piece that can be emailed to students or printed and used in lessons.
Happy New Year to you too