Traditions. Do you have any?

The poor things were green and I’m not talking about the eco-friendly green either.

Thanksgiving traditions do not always include a roasted turkey on the table. This discussion led to the composition of a fun Elementary Piano Solo.

Do you have a Thanksgiving holiday tradition?

I teach engaging online piano classes and my studio motto is: “more than a piano lesson. In our lessons we learn about piano performance, music history, theory, composition, sight reading and so much more. We specialize in teaching students to really “read music.”

Last Thanksgiving season, during one of our online group theory classes I decided it would be fun to get the students engaged by annotating on the zoom whiteboard about their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. I asked everyone, “What are you most excited about for this Thanksgiving?” Predictably, chaos ensued among my students. Zoom emoji icons and real hands quickly raised as my students eagerly wanted to give their answers. 

I gave the parameters for answering my question: “Draw two music symbols correctly on the whiteboard, and then you may write or draw your answer to my Thanksgiving question right beside your music symbols.” 

I opened a white board in the zoom room and as usual, the board was immediately splattered with carefully drawn music symbols. But this time it also included a Thanksgiving food frenzy: “Turkey!” “Gobble Gobble!” “Gravy!” “Stuffing!” “Pumpkin Pie!” It was like a mini food riot was happening in our zoom online theory class. The students were having so much fun learning their theory. Amidst the screen share frenzy, I noticed a couple of students who were not so pleased.

I quickly realized what was up and that these students were likely vegetarian or vegan. Here were the rest of us in our online piano group class, happily planning out our upcoming turkey apocalypse. Oops! (Cue my own facepalm.) I quickly cleared the white board and I redirected the conversation. 

I talked to the class, “No more annotating. Continue to work in your theory books while you listen.” They happily obliged. This is our regular routine. Write, listen, write, listen. Students stay engaged.

“You know, not everyone gets excited about having turkey served for their Thanksgiving meal. We all have different beliefs and each comes with its own set of traditions. Some families don’t eat any meat, and some families don’t celebrate Thanksgiving at all.” I reminded my students this was a holiday specific to the United States.

I again asked everyone to look up from their theory books and I asked if anyone would like to share what they enjoyed eating at Thanksgiving time other than turkey. and other than what had been previously annotated on the zoom whiteboard. Several students shared. They enjoyed an amazing and yummy plant-based feast with all kinds of delicious foods like lentil loaf and tofu roast! (Cue the confused nods and nose wrinkles and even eye rolls from the carnivores in the online theory group class.) Once again, I redirected the conversation to our theory books and we resumed our theory learning.

Later that night after my online group piano classes were finished, I was lounging on my couch. I couldn’t help but giggle about how a few of my very sweet piano students in class looked so traumatized by the mention of having a turkey on their Thanksgiving table. Poor things. It never occurred to me to not eat turkey at Thanksgiving. It was always part of my own family tradition. This is another area I must be more cautious about during our online group piano class discussions in the future.

As I sat there, feet kicked up and relaxing, I glanced up at the mantel above my fireplace. I have a rather large floral arrangement sitting there. On the side of arrangement there is a beautiful peacock and scattered throughout the flowers is a stunning display of large peacock feathers. I’ve always loved this particular floral arrangement. I love the colors and looking at the display makes me feel peaceful.

An idea hit me - how fortunate for peacocks during Thanksgiving season! These magnificent birds don’t have any stress about being the center stage of anyone’s Thanksgiving dinner. I remembered my childhood and seeing peacocks walking around when we visited the zoo in places like Washington D.C. I was always so delighted when one of the birds fanned out his train of beautiful feathers. How magnificent!

Thinking about the fortunate peacock spiraled into the birth of yet another Elementary Piano Solo: “It’s Good to be a Peacock on Thanksgiving Day!”

I couldn’t resist. I grabbed my staff paper and I quickly began to scribble out my idea for lyrics. I searched for just the right rhymes and then I headed straight to the piano and started working out a piece to captured the carefree vibe of that breath taking bird. I decided to put the piece in ¾ meter and write the melody using minor mode to capture the essence of the autumn season. After all, it only seemed fitting since our Thanksgiving Day turkey massacre discussion brought about the idea.

My Elementary Piano Solo, “It’s Good to be a Peacock on Thanksgiving Day,” came to life. The fun piano solo is now part of my Studio Savers - Songs for Autumn and Halloween Collection which is NOW available on my website! This adorable elementary piece is perfect for some feathered fun at the piano for recitals, fall festivals, costume fun, adjudicated events or just for sight reading enjoyment. It is written in the key of A minor and it is perfect for Elementary level pianists. It ends with a small, very slow chromatic scale to depict the peacock fanning out its train of feathers. The lyrics coupled with the optional teacher duet make this piece a pure delight. I hope you enjoy “It’s Good to be a Peacock on Thanksgiving Day”.

Now students have a fun Thanksgiving piece to play for their fall recitals. Enjoy the music!

It's Good to be a Peacock on Thanksgiving Day. Elementary Piano Solo with lyrics and optional teacher duet. Fun music to keep students enjoying music and playing the piano because they love it!