Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Graded List of LDS Hymns for Piano Students

This does not have anything to do with Gospel Doctrine class, but since I have been trying to find a list of hymns in graduated difficulty unsuccessfully for quite some time, I finally made one myself for my piano students.  I've worked on this for several years, and think I have it pretty well leveled.  Then I thought I'd just put it out there for other parents of budding pianists, ward pianists or piano teachers to use.  I don't really know where else to share it.  Maybe Google can find it here for the next person looking.  If anyone knows of a better place to post it, let me know.  In the meantime, share with anybody you think might use it.

(I hold the copyright on this photo of my daughter)

The Music Reading Levels are using a scale of 1-10, with 1 being a brand-new beginner student and 10 being a college piano major.  So the Beginner Hymns would possibly suit a diligent 4th-year student.  For lower levels, check out my list for the Hymns Made Easy at this link.

You can download all the hymns from lds.org. On lds.org, choose "Resources" at the top of the page. Then choose "Library at the upper left. Then all the hymnbooks appear. I have linked them directly below.


Here is my guide to learning ten of the Hymns Made Easy:

Here is a link for the regular hymns that go with my guide you already found.

​If you are a beginning piano student, you may want to start with the Keyboard Course, which has even easier hymns than the "Hymns Made Easy."
25 Beginner Hymns
(Music Reading Level 4-5 US, Grade 3-4 UK)
 These hymns are in easy keys, have few hand position changes, fairly simple rhythms, few accidentals, and slow to moderate tempos.
142
Sweet Hour of Prayer
302
I Know My Father Lives
116
Come, Follow Me
309
As Sisters in Zion
239
Choose the Right
152
God Be With you Till We Meet Again
38
Come, All Ye Saints of Zion
106
God Speed the Right
294
Love at Home
92
For the Beauty of the Earth
144
Secret Prayer
306
God’s Daily Care (As I Watch the Rising Sun)
3
Now Let Us Rejoice
304
Teach Me to Walk in the Light
19
We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet
301
I Am a Child of God
241
Count Your Blessings
131
More Holiness Give Me
100
Nearer, My God, To Thee
98
I Need Thee Every Hour
125
How Gentle God’s Commands
339
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee
67
Glory to God on High
94
Come, Ye Thankful People
204
Silent Night
 
25 Intermediate Hymns
(Music Reading Levels 5-6 US, Grade 4-5 UK)
These hymns have more hand position changes, trickier rhythms, more accidentals, bigger jumps, and/or faster tempos.
 
136
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
249
Called to Serve
338
America the Beautiful
105
Master, the Tempest is Raging
199
He Is Risen
243
Let Us All Press On
308
Love One Another
97
Lead, Kindly Light
14
Sweet is the Peace the Gospel Brings
108
The Lord is My Shepherd
30
Come, Come, Ye Saints
237
Do What is Right
89
The Lord Is My Light
7
Israel, Israel, God is Calling
206
Away in a Manger
23
We Ever Pray For Thee
113
Our Savior’s Love
21
Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice
96
Dearest Children, God is Near You
259
Hope of Israel
26
Joseph Smith’s First Prayer
219
Because I Have Been Given Much
193
I Stand All Amazed
85
How Firm a Foundation
319
Ye Elders of Israel
  
25 Advanced Hymns
(Music Reading Level 7-8 US, Grade 6 UK) 
These hymns are fast, have lots of big jumps, require the right hand to play three parts, have challenging rhythms and keys, accidentals, and/or parts that move at different rates.
 
5
High on the Mountain Top
227
There is Sunshine in My Soul Today
292
O My Father
298
Home Can Be a heaven on Earth
246
Onward, Christian Soldiers
134
I Believe in Christ
29
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
264
Hark, All Ye Nations!
2
The Spirit of God
335
Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy
60
Battle Hymn of the Republic
27
Praise to the Man
     255 Carry On
86
How Great Thou Art
52
The Day Dawn is Breaking
64
On This Day of Joy and Gladness
200
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
78
God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
220
Lord, I Would Follow Thee
35
For the Strength of the Hills
263
Go Forth With Faith
203
Angels We Have Heard on High
340
The Star-Spangled Banner
256
As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days
254
True to the Faith