RTV repertoire catalog

Snake Charmer/Pyramids At Night - Level 2a - Lesson - pg. 60-61

ID 447 · Structured composer unknown · Piano · Level 1 · Points 95

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Collections: Level 2a - Lesson

“Snake Charmer” is an early-level piano piece in G minor, marked Moderato. The music is built around a repeated left-hand pattern and a short right-hand melody that sounds like a snake-charmer flute. The piece uses the G minor 5-finger scale, but with a special raised fourth finger to C-sharp, giving the melody a mysterious and slightly exotic sound. The score also includes story-like directions that describe the snake rising, twisting, sinking down, and almost striking.Measures 1–2 introduce the left-hand pattern. The right hand rests while the left hand plays the repeating bass idea, and the score asks the student to play this opening three times. This creates a steady background before the “snake” melody enters.Measures 3–9 introduce the main right-hand idea. The right hand plays short slurred patterns that rise and fall, while the left hand continues the repeated accompaniment. The music moves between p and mf, helping the student hear the difference between softer and stronger moments.Measures 10–18 continue the same idea, but the right hand moves higher and changes shape slightly. The octave marking shows that the flute-like melody should sound higher, while the left hand keeps the same steady motion underneath.Measures 19–22 create the most dramatic moment. The right hand plays separate accented notes while the left hand continues below, and the music builds toward the question, “Will he strike?” The fermatas make this moment feel suspenseful.Measures 23 to the end calm the music down again. The right hand holds a long note while the left hand continues softly, and the piece ends quietly as the snake “sinks back down.”Interesting fact: The piece gets its special sound from raising the fourth finger in the G minor 5-finger scale to C-sharp. That one changed note gives the melody a snake-charmer effect without making the piece too difficult for an early-level student.How to earn points for this piece:Download or purchase the sheet music.Practice the piece carefully. Watch the video example to make sure you are accurate.Record yourself on video and upload it to YouTube. Perfection is not required. A few minor mistakes are okay.Submit a link to your video here for evaluation. We will watch your performance and give you feedback. If you need more practice, we will let you know what to work on and provide additional practice suggestions. You may also submit your video publicly so other users can evaluate it.If your performance is approved, your video will be accepted and you can collect your points.