Itsy Bitsy Spider

This familiar nursery rhythm was arranged for piano trio with young performers in mind. Each part is written on a single staff and stem directions dictate which hand is to play as the part is divided between the hands.

Player one takes the lead with the melody at the beginning with harmonic support supplied by the other two parts with at times rhythmically independent parts. The second statement of the theme is repeated as a two-part round. The lowest part, part three, takes the lead as part two chases the theme one bar later while part one provides a countermelody.

The trio written in 6/4 meter concludes with a ritardando in the last two bars requiring the young performers to think as one when bringing the piece to its conclusion.

This charming piano trio arranged by Carrie Kraft was selected for the 2024 - 2028 National Federation of Music Clubs Bulletin.