Advanced piano arrangements
Arrangement numbers identify the individual versions; they are not a ranking from easiest to hardest.
Christmas words and the melody of Greensleeves
What Child Is This? pairs words by William Chatterton Dix with GREENSLEEVES, an English melody whose history reaches back to the sixteenth century. The Christmas text asks listeners to contemplate the child in the Nativity scene, surrounded by Mary, shepherds, and angels. It gives an older tune a distinct place in Christian seasonal music. Discipleship Ministries’ history of the carol.
Playing What Child Is This?
In What Child Is This?, give the familiar melody a gentle, flowing shape. Keep the accompaniment balanced and listen for where each phrase needs to grow before returning to a quieter sound.
Choosing your arrangement
Compare the scores with repertoire you already play securely. Look for changes in texture, stretches, leaps, and coordination demands before deciding which version to prepare. Arrangement numbers distinguish versions; assess the music itself when choosing a challenge that fits your technique and available practice time.
Preparing an advanced performance
Work on demanding passages in short sections, deciding on comfortable fingering before increasing the tempo. Bring out the melody within fuller textures and keep inner notes supportive. Plan the dynamic shape across the whole piece, then rehearse complete runs to test pacing, stamina, and a confident ending.