Jumping Jacks (Rigadoon)

A rigadoon is “a lively jumping quickstep” according to The American Heritage Dictionary. This description inspired me to call the piece “Jumping Jacks” and to add staccato dots to encourage students to have their fingers “jump” from key to key. In Primer Level, phrase markers emphasize the difference between staccato and legato touches. Level 1 is unusual in that the melody at first appears in the left hand. There is also an easy shift from Middle C position to “Regular” C position (hands an octave apart). The Level 2 version has slightly more complicated shifts of hand position typical of this level.