Cruising Down the Nile

'Cruising Down the Nile' is an elementary piano solo w/lyrics. Explores the lovely exotic sound of Mid-eastern music. Lyrics depict Ancient Egypt and scenes along the Nile. Uses broken 5ths in LH accompaniment with syncopation to depict the plodding of camels through the desert, while melodically the RH plays along the upper tetrachord (last 4 notes) of G harmonic minor scale. I included a mordant and turn to mimic the shake of the tambourine (sound familiar?) used in Ancient Egyptian music. I chose the title because of a song I dearly loved to sing as a child, 'Cruising Down the River', by Beadell and Tollerton. Animals from this region such as hippos and crocodiles are the guides from Noahs Ark. 'Noah's Ark Series' was created to introduce students to different musical styles and to global music. For the student what more fun guides could there be besides animals. Different animals in various locales introduce the student to numerous styles-in this piece, the lovely exotic Mid-eastern music with camels, crocodiles, and hippos in the lyrics being the guides. Try other pieces with lyrics in this series: 'Koala Lullaby' (lullaby); 'Iguana' (tango) 'Sam the Lamb' (Celtic/Strophic); and 'Joey the Wallabee Kangarro' (waltz). This series makes a great recital theme!