Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Early Beginner Piano Music
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is one of the most famous music selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet.
However, the incredibly beautiful Nutcracker Suite is intricate, complex, and difficult to simplify. Most "easy piano arrangements of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" are better described as late beginner to early intermediate, at minimum difficulty.
I had never found an arrangement that my earlier beginners could enjoy, so...
I've made for you this brand-new Nutcracker Christmas arrangement for easy piano!
This Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy beginner piano version hits the sweet spot (pun intended) with the perfect amount of level-appropriate musical complexity. It's written in big print format and features the memorable melody with strategically simple harmonies. While set in the original key of E minor, the sharps are written in as accidentals (more beginner friendly).
Look and listen below:
Sheet Music Price
Single User License | Studio License |
|---|---|
$3.99 | $9.99 * |
The Studio License comes with TWO versions: Version 1 as seen in the video, and Version 2 has the melody written one octave lower, near Middle C with 8va lines, to help students who are more familiar reading this note range. (Even more beginner friendly!) Both versions sound the same when played.
Sheet Music Specs
Level | Key / Tonal Center | Finger Numbers | Position-based | Hand Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Beginner (Early to Mid Beginner) | E minor (no key signature; includes sharps and naturals as accidentals) | None | No (requires hand movement) | Small (no harmonic intervals; largest slurred melodic interval is a tritone) |
Teaching Tools
Teaching Tools are provided to help you know what learning aspects may be found in this sheet music. (Learn more about MusicAndTheory Teaching Tools.)
Educational elements you will find in this beginner piano Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy arrangement:
Studio Licensed Option for Teachers
If you are a piano teacher, you can get the Studio Licensed version for just $9.99 and share it with any of your own students. Pay once, use as many times as you need!
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Studio License piano music comes with 2 versions:
Both versions sound the same when played.
I hope you enjoy this Nutcracker arrangement for early to mid beginner piano! If you loved it and are looking for more, check out this Nutcracker March for elementary piano!
I will be making more Nutcracker arrangements for this level, so please check back soon.
If you love the Nutcracker but need music that is more challenging, check out these two Nutcracker intermediate piano arrangements:
A simplified arrangement of the Nutcracker Overture: Includes all the beautiful themes from the original version, just simplified for early to mid-intermediate pianists.
A Nutcracker Medley piano arrangement: Fast and flashy, with 4 major themes from the Nutcracker: the Overture, March (Soldier march), Chinese Dance, and Russian Trepak Dance. This one is such a hit at holiday recitals!
If you're looking for other Christmas favorites, find more Christmas piano sheet music here. Happy Holidays!
