Below is the lesson for “March” & “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

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We’ve arranged this piece as a mini-medley covering some of Tchaikovsky’s most memorable melodies from The Nutcracker’s “March” and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”

You’ll begin by learning the triumphant “March,” which includes two tricky playing aspects. A triplet strum and a single note melody run that uses a dotted eighth note feel. Let’s take a look at the latter:

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Listen to these 2 bars being played alongside a metronome in 4/4.

In the first measure, we can see the music written in a more simplistic fashion using dotted 8th notes. In the second measure, we see the same music written in complete detail using 16th notes.

When you hit play to listen to these 2 measures, you’ll notice that they are identical. You’ll also notice that the feel is playful and similar to swung eighth notes.

In the second half of this arrangement, you’ll learn an excerpt from “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Rhythmically, this piece is less complex than the “March.” Although, the chord work is more challenging.

Part 1 – Performance & Free Lesson

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