Music Grading - LDS Hymn Book

One piano, 341 songs--a surprising number of which I am unfamiliar with even though I have been LDS my whole life--several hours of spare time and voila: another list of music graded by relative difficulty! These songs are from the 1985 official LDS hymnal. As always, this is a subjective list and not intended to be the final word.

LDS Hymns often follow very formulaic patterns. Some of the challenges associated with playing hymns include the fact that they are almost always written in four parts and include many difficult or impossible left-hand intervals (since they are written for organ, not piano). Many songs on the list below can be made much easier simply by eliminating a few of the more challenging notes.

EASIEST
3 - Now Let Us Rejoice
6 - Redeemer of Israel
14 - Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings
19 - We Thank Thee, O God, for  Prophet
33 - Our Mountain Home So Dear
34 - O Ye Mountains High
38 - Come, All Ye Saints of Zion
44 - Beautiful Zion, Built Above
59 - Come, O Thou King of Kings
67 - Glory to God on High
84 - Faith of Our Fathers
98 - I Need Thee Every Hour
109 - The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare
116 - Come, Follow Me
117 - Come unto Jesus
137 - Testimony
141 - Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
142 - Sweet Hour of Prayer
144 - Secret Prayer
145 - Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
152 - God Be with You Till We Meet Again
153 - Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part
156 - Sing We Now at Parting
167 - Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn
180 - Father in Heaven, We Do Believe
195 - How Great the Wisdom and the Love
196 - Jesus, Once of Humble Birth
204 - Silent Night
234 - Jesus, Mighty King in Zion
237 - Do What Is Right
239 - Choose the Right
247 - We Love Thy House, O God
258 - O Thou Rock of Our Salvation
294 - Love at Home
302 - I Know My Father Lives
303 - Keep the Commandments
304 - Teach Me to Walk in the Light
306 - God's Daily Care

MODERATELY EASY
4 - Truth Eternal
7 - Israel. Israel, God is Calling
16 - What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold
20 - God of Power, God of Right
21 - Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice
23 - We Ever Pray for Thee
26 - Joseph Smith's First Prayer
28 - Saints, Behold How Great Jehovah
29 - A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
30 - Come, Come, Ye Saints
31 - O God, Our Help in Ages Past
36 - They, the Builders of the Nation
39 - O Saints of Zion
41 - Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise
42 - Zion Stands with Hills Surrounded
45 - Lead Me into Life Eternal
47 - We Will Sing of Zion
49 - Adam-ondi-Ahman
50 - Come, Thou Glorious Day of Promise
52 - The Day Dawn Is Breaking
53 - Let Earth's Inhabitants Rejoice
55 - Lo, the Mighty God Appearing!
57 - We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord
58 - Come, Ye Children of the Lord

60 - Battle Hymn of the Republic

61 - Raise Your Voices to the Lord

65 - Come, All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth

75 - In Hymns of Praise

76 - God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee

77 - Great Is the Lord

80 - God of Our Fathers, Known of Old

85 - How Firm a Foundation

87 - God Is Love

92 - For the Beauty of the Earth

96 - Dearest Children, God Is Near You

99 - Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee

102 - Jesus, Lover of My Soul

106 - God Speed the Right

107 - Lord, Accept Our True Devotion

115 - Come, Ye Disconsolate

119 - Come, We That Love the Lord

123 - Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee

125 - How Gentle God's Commands

128 - When Faith Endures

133 - Father in Heaven

139 - In Fasting We Approach Thee
140 - Did You Think to Pray?
143 - Let the Holy Spirit Guide
147 - Sweet Is the Work
150 - O Thou Kind and Gracious Father
165 - Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide
171 - With Humble Heart
173 - While of These Emblems We Partake
176 - 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
182 - We'll Sing All Hail to Jesus' Name
184 - Upon the Cross of Calvary
187 - God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son
188 - Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done
199 - He Is Risen!
201 - Joy to the World
206 - Away in a Manger
210 - With Wondering Awe
211 - While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
217 - Come, Let Us Anew
220 - Lord, I Would Follow Thee
221 - Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd
224 - I Have Work Enough to Do
225 - We Are Marching On to Glory
241 - Count Your Blessings
245 - This House We Dedicate to Thee
250 - We Are All Enlisted
261 - Thy Servants Are Prepared
266 - The Time Is Far Spent
268 - Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted
270 - I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go
273 - Truth Reflects upon Our Senses
278 - Thanks for the Sabbath School
282 - We Meet Again in Sabbath School
283 - The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone
285 - God Moves in a Mysterious Way
286 - Oh, What Songs of the Heart
289 - Holy Temples on Mount Zion
292 - O My Father
296 - Our Father, by Whose Name
299 - Children of Our Heavenly Father
301 - I Am a Child of God
307 - In Our Lovely Deseret
308 - Love One Another
309 - As Sisters in Zion (Women)
314 - How Gentle God's Commands (Women)
315 - Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Women)
316 - The Lord Is My Shepherd (Women)
319 - Ye Elders of Israel (Men)
322 - Come, All Ye Sons of God (Men)
339 - My Country, 'Tis of Thee
341 - God Save the King

MODERATELY DIFFICULT
1 - The Morning Breaks
5 - High on the Mountain Top
8 - Awake and Arise
9 - Come, Rejoice
10 - Come, Sing to the Lord
15 - I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly
17 - Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!
18 - The Voice of God Again Is Heard
22 - We Listen to a Prophet's Voice
24 - God Bless Our Prophet Dear
27 - Praise to the Man
35 - For the Strength of the Hills
40 - Arise, O Glorious Zion
42 - Hail to the Brightness of Zion's Glad Morning!
46 - Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
48 - Glorious Things Are Sung of Zion
51 - Sons of Michael, He Approaches
54 - Behold, the Mountain of the Lord
63 - Great King of Heaven
64 - On This Day of Joy and Gladness
66 - Rejoice, the Lord is King!
69 - All Glory, Laud, and Honor
70 - Sing Praise to Him
72 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
73 - Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice
74 - Praise Ye the Lord
78 - God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
79 - With All the Power of Heart and Tongue
81 - Press Forward, Saints
83 - Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah
86 - How Great Thou Art
89 - The Lord Is My Light
90 - From All That Dwell below the Skies
93 - Prayer of Thanksgiving
94 - Come, Ye Thankful People
95 - Now Thank We All Our God
100 - Nearer, My God, to Thee
103 - Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer
104 - Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
108 - The Lord Is My Shepherd
111 - Rock of Ages
113 - Our Savior's Love
124 - Be Still, My Soul
127 - Does the Journey Seem Long?
129 - Where Can I Turn for Peace?
131 - More Holiness Give Me
132 - God Is in His Holy Temple
134 - I Believe in Christ
135 - My Redeemer Lives
136 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives
146 - Gently Raise the Sacred Strain
149 - As the Dew from Heaven Distilling
151 - We Meet, Dear Lord
157 - Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls
158 - Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head
161 - The Lord Be with Us
162 - Lord, We Come before Thee Now
163 - Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
164 - Great God, to Thee My Evening Song
166 - Abide with Me!
169 - As Now We Take the Sacrament
170 - God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray
172 - In Humility, Our Savior
174 - While of These Emblems We Partake
175 - O God, the Eternal Father
177 - 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
178 - O Lord of Hosts
179 - Again, Our Dear Redeeming Lord
181 - Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King
183 - In Remembrance of Thy Suffering
185 - Reverently and Meekly Now
186 - Again We Meet around the Board
190 - In Memory of the Crucified
191 - Behold the Great Redeemer Die
192 - He Died! The Great Redeemer Died
193 - I Stand All Amazed
194 - There Is a Green Hill Far Away
198 - That Easter Morn
202 - Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
203 - Angels We Have Heard on High
205 - Once in Royal David's City
207 - It Came upon the Midnight Clear
208 - O Little Town of Bethlehem
209 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
213 - The First Noel
216 - We Are Sowing
218 - We Give Thee But Thine Own
219 - Because I Have Been Given Much
222 - Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord
226 - Improve the Shining Moments
227 - There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today
228 - You Can Make the Pathway Bright
229 - Today, While the Sun Shines
230 - Scatter Sunshine
231 - Father, Cheer Our Souls Tonight
232 - Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words
233 - Nay, Speak No Ill
235 - Should You Feel Inclined to Censure
236 - Lord, Accept into Thy Kingdom
238 - Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord
240 - Know This, That Every Soul Is Free
242 - Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
244 - Come Along, Come Along
246 - Onward, Christian Soldiers
248 - Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion
252 - Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
253 - Like Ten Thousand Legions Marching
257 - Rejoice! A Glorious Sound Is Heard
259 - Hope of Israel
260 - Who's on the Lord's Side?
263 - Go Forth with Faith

264 - Hark, All Ye Nations!

265 - Arise, O God, and Shine

267 - How Wondrous and Great

269 - Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth

272 - Oh Say, What Is Truth?

274 - The Iron Rod

279 - Thy Holy Word

280 - Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning

281 - Help Me Teach with Inspiration

287 - Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter

288 - How Beautiful Thy Temples, Lord

290 - Rejoice, Ye Saints of Latter Days

291 - Turn Your Hearts

293 - Each Life That Touches Ours for Good

295 - O Love That Glorifies the Son
297 - From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise
300 - Families Can Be Together Forever
305 - The Light Divine

311 - We Meet Again As Sisters (Women)
312 - We Ever Pray for Thee (Women)
313 - God Is Love (Women)
317 - Sweet Is the Work (Women)
318 - Love at Home (Women)
320 - The Priesthood of Our Lord (Men)
321 - Ye Who Are Called to Labor (Men)
324 - Rise Up, O Men of God (Men)
338 - America the Beautiful

MORE DIFFICULT
2 - The Spirit of God
11 - What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?
12 - 'Twas Witnessed in the Morning Sky
13 - An Angel from on High
25 - Now We'll Sing with One Accord
32 - The Happy Day at Last Has Come
37 - The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close
56 - Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning
68 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
71 - With Songs of Praise
88 - Great God, Attend While Zion Sings
91 - Father, Thy Children to Thee Now Raise
97 - Lead, Kindly Light
101 - Guide Me to Thee
105 - Master, the Tempest Is Raging
110 - Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord
112 - Savior, Redeemer of My Soul
114 - Come unto Him
118 - Ye Simple Souls Who Stray
122 - Though Deepening Trials
126 - How Long, O Lord Most Holy and True
130 - Be Thou Humble
138 - Bless Our Fast, We Pray
148 - Sabbath Day
154 - Father, This Hour Has Been One of Joy
155 - We Have Partaken of Thy Love
159 - Now the Day is Over
160 - Softly Now the Light of Day
189 - O Thou, Before the World Began
212 - Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
214 - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
215 - Ring Out, Wild Bells
223 - Have I Done Any Good?
243 - Let Us All Press On
251 - Behold! A Royal Army
255 - Carry On
256 - As Zion's Youth in Latter Days
262 - Go, Ye Messengers of Glory
271 - Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love
275 - Men Are That They Might Have Joy
276 - Come Away to the Sunday School
277 - As I Search the Holy Scriptures
284 - If You Could Hie to Kolob
298 - Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth
310 - A Key Was Turned in Latter Days (Women)
340 - The Star-Spangled Banner

MOST DIFFICULT
62 - All Creatures of Our God and King
82 - For All the Saints
120 - Lean on My Ample Arm
121 - I'm a Pilgrim, I'm a Stranger
168 - As the Shadows Fall
197 - O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
200 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
249 - Called to Serve
254 - True to the Faith
323 - Rise Up, O Men of God (Men's Choir)
325 - See the Mighty Priesthood Gathered (Men's Choir)
236 - Come, Come, Ye Saints (Men's Choir)
372 - Go, Ye Messengers of Heaven (Men's Choir)
328 - An Angel from on High (Men's Choir)
329 - Thy Servants Are Prepared (Men's Choir)
330 - See, the Mighty Angel Flying (Men's Choir)
331 - Oh Say, What is Truth? (Men's Choir)
332 - Come, O Thou King of Kings (Men's Choir)
333 - High on the Mountain Top (Men's Choir)
334 - I Need Thee Every Hour (Men's Choir)
335 - Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy (Men's Choir)
336 - School Thy Feelings (Men's Choir)
337 - O Home Beloved (Men's Choir)

Music Grading - LDS Primary Children's Songbook

I spent the past week playing through the LDS Primary Children's songbook (last updated in 2000), rating each piece by relative difficulty. Here are the results!

EASIEST
6 - Thanks to Thee
10 - Thank Thee for Everything
18 - I Need My Heavenly Father
19 - Heavenly Father, Now I Pray
20 (bottom) - Thanks to Our Father
21 (top) - For Health and Strength
23 (top) - Father Up Above
23 (bottom) - Heavenly Father, While I Pray
30 (bottom) - Our Chapel Is a Sacred Place
39 - Little Jesus
42 - Away in a Manger
55 - Jesus Once Was a Little Child
59 - Jesus Loved the Little Children
61 - Jesus Said Love Everyone
104 - I Like My Birthdays
107 - Listen, Listen
118 - Book of Mormon Stories
122 (bottom) - The Second Article of Faith
127 - The Eighth Article of Faith
145 (bottom) - Kindness Begins with Me
150 (top) - I'm Glad to Pay a Tithing
150 (bottom) - I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth
151 - I Am Glad for Many things
167 - Go the Second Mile
196 - Saturday
197 (top) - A Happy Helper
198 (top) - A Happy Family
198 (bottom) - When We're Helping
206 (top) - Mother Dear
206 (bottom) - Dearest Mother, I Love You
210 - Daddy's Homecoming
220 - The Handcart Song
229 - God Is Watching Over All
233 - The World Is So Lovely
234 - Because God Loves Me
235 - The World Is So Big
237 - The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden
238 - Springtime Is Coming
240 - In the Leafy Treetops
241 (top) - Birds in the Tree
241 (bottom) - Rain Is Falling All Around
243 - Little Seeds Lie Fast Asleep
248 - Falling Snow
249 - Once There Was a Snowman
252 - Lift Up Your Voice and Sing
253 (top) - Sing a Song
253 (bottom) - Fun to Do
254 (top) - Hello, Friends!
255 - Come with Me to Primary
261 - Here We Are Together
262 - Friends Are Fun
266 - If You're Happy
267 (top) Smiles
267 (bottom) - A Smile Is like the Sunshine
274 - Roll Your Hands
275 (top) - Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
276 (bottom) - To Get Quiet
278 - Stand Up
284 (bottom) - Have a Very Happy Birthday!

MODERATELY EASY
2 - I Am a Child of God
7 - I Thank Thee, Dear Father
11 - I'm Thankful to Be Me
16 - Children All over the World
20 (top) - A Song of Thanks
22 (bottom) - A Prayer
25 (bottom) - I Love to Pray
26 - Reverently, Quietly
26 (bottom) - We Are Reverent
28 (bottom) - I Will Try to Be Reverent
29 - Father, I Will Reverent Be
30 (top) - This Is God's House
31 - Reverence Is Love
36 - Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus
37 - Stars Were Gleaming
40 (bottom) - The Shepherd's Carol
41 - Once within a Lowly Stable
47 - Sleep, Little Jesus
50 - Picture a Christmas
51 - Have a Very Merry Christmas!
52 - The Nativity Song
56 - I Think When I Read That Sweet Story
58 - Little Lambs So White and Fair
66 - Hosanna
70 - Jesus Has Risen
71 - To Think about Jesus
73 (top) - Before I Take the Sacrament
73 (bottom) - Help Us, O God, to Understand
77 - The Church of Jesus Christ
86 (bottom) - The Golden Plates
92 - The Hearts of the Children
94 - Family History--I am Doing It
99 - Help Me, Dear Father
103 - When I Am Baptized
105 - The Holy Ghost
114 - The Books in the Old Testament
116 - The Books in the New Testament
122 (top) - The First Article of Faith
123 - The Third Article of Faith
125 - The Fifth Article of Faith
126 (top) - The Sixth Article of Faith
126 (bottom) - The Seventh Article of Faith
128 (top) - The Ninth Article of Faith
130 - The Eleventh Article of Faith
132 - The Thirteenth Article of Faith
145 (top) - A Special Gift Is Kindness
146 - Keep the Commandments
149 - I Believe in Being Honest
152 - Hum Your Favorite Hymn
155 - Remember the Sabbath Day
156 - The Chapel Doors
157 - When I Go to Church
158 - Dare to Do Right
159 - Stand for the Right
160 - Choose the Right Way
161 - I Pledge Myself to Love the Right
189 - Family Prayer
192 - Home
193 - Sing Your Way Home
195 - Family Night
197 (bottom) - Quickly I'll Obey
199 - I Have a Family Tree
200 - Grandmother
201 - When Grandpa Comes
203 - My Mother Dear
204 - Mother, Tell Me the Story
207 - Mother, I Love You
208 - The Dearest Names
209 - Fathers
211 - My Dad
214 - Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked
218 - To Be a Pioneer
219 - The Oxcart
221 - Covered Wagons
224 - My Country
225 - My Flag, My Flag
230 - I Think the World is Glorious
231 - All Things Bright and Beautiful
232 - Beauty Everywhere
236 - "Give," Said the Little Stream
239 - Because It's Spring
242 - Popcorn Popping
244 - Little Purple Pansies
245 - Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?
246 - It's Autumntime
247 - Autumn Day
254 (bottom) Our Door Is Always Open
258 - Our Primary Colors
259 - We're All Together Again
260 - Hello Song
263 - We Are Different
264 - Happy Song
270 - Two Happy Feet
271 - I Wiggle
272 - I Have Two Little Hands
273 - My Hands
276 - Do As I'm Doing
277 - Hinges
279 - Oh, How We Love to Stand
280 - Health, Wealth, and Wise
281 - The Wise Man and the Foolish Man
283 - Your Happy Birthday
284 (top) - Happy, Happy Birthday
285 - You've Had a Birthday

MODERATELY DIFFICULT
4 - I Lived in Heaven
8 - Father, We Thank Thee for the Night
14 - I Pray in Faith
15 - If with All Your Hearts
22 (top) - A Prayer Song
24 - Thank Thee, Father
25 (top) - We Bow Our Heads
27 (top) - Reverence
28 (top) I Want to Be Reverent
38 - When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
40 (top) - There Was Starlight on the Hillside
44 - Mary's Lullaby
46 - Who Is the Child?
48 - Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby
54 - Christmas Bells
57 - Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
60 - Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
64 - Did Jesus Really Live Again?
68 - Easter Hosanna
74 - I Feel My Savior's Love
78 - I'm Trying to Be like Jesus
86 (top) - An Angel Came to Joseph Smith
90 - Truth from Elijah
95 - I Love to See the Temple
96 - Faith
97 - God's Love
108 - Seek the Lord Early
119 - The Books in the Book of Mormon
124 - The Fourth Article of Faith
128 (bottom) - The Tenth Article of Faith
131 - The Twelfth Article of Faith
135 - Our Bishop
136 - Love One Another
140 - I'll Walk With You
142 - Every Star Is Different
144 - Shine On
153 - The Lord Gave Me a Temple
154 - The Word of Wisdom
164 - I Will Follow God's Plan
168 - I Want to Be a Missionary Now
170 - The Things I Do
172 - We'll Bring the World His Truth
174 - Called to Serve
176 - Tell Me, Dear Lord
177 - Teach Me to Walk in the Light
180 - How Dear to God Are Little Children
188 - Families Can Be Together Forever
190 - Love Is Spoken Here
194 - The Family
202 - I Often Go Walking
215 - Pioneer Children Were Quick to Obey
216 - Little Pioneer Children
217 - Westward Ho!
222 - Whenever I Think about Pioneers
228 - My Heavenly Father Loves Me
256 - We Welcome You
265 - Be Happy!
268 - Two Little Eyes
269 - I Have Two Ears
288 - Impromptu
289 - To a Wild Rose
290 - Each Sunday Morning
292 (top) - Loving Shepherd

MORE DIFFICULT
5 - I Know My Father Lives
9 - Can a Little Child like Me?
12 - A Child's Prayer
21 (bottom) - For Thy Bounteous Blessings
65 - He Died That We Might Live Again
72 - The Sacrament
76 - This Is My Beloved Son
80 - Had I Been a Child
82 - When He Comes Again
88 - On a Golden Springtime
98 - Repentance
102 - When Jesus Christ Was Baptized
106 - The Still Small Voice
109 - Search, Ponder, and Pray
110 - Follow the Prophet
120 - Nephi's Courage
134 - Latter-day Prophets
138 - Where Love Is
148 - I Want to Live the Gospel
163 - I Am Like a Star
166 - A Young Man Prepared
169 - I Hope They Call Me on a Mission
178 - Teacher, Do You Love Me?
282 - Feliz Cumpleanos
291 - In Quietude
293 - My Heart Ever Faithful
295 - O Rest in the Lord
298 - Prelude in F
299 - Distant Bells

MOST DIFFICULT
34 - He Sent His Son
62 - Beautiful Savior
87 - The Sacred Grove
89 - The Priesthood Is Restored
100 - Baptism
112 - The Commandments
162 - I Will Be Valiant
182 - How Will They Know?
292 - Morning Prayer
294 - Andante
296 - Air from Orpheus
297 - Supplication

The 3 Biggest Values of Adult Piano Lessons

This post was written by Dan Starr, a friend of mine who teaches piano lessons in Arizona. He also teaches online lessons and has written several insightful e-books. Check out his web site at www.danstarr.com for more great info!

The 3 Biggest Values of Adult Piano Lessons

It's Worthwhile for a Variety of Good Reasons - Here's Only Three!

1. It's a wonderful, fun hobby that you can pursue for your entire lifetime.

Now, some folks like to play for others and some don't, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that your new ability, your new hobby, can give you a lifetime of sheer enjoyment for almost no money at all. Sure, you'll have to learn but once learning is done, you simply sit down at it when the mood strikes and make pleasing, beautiful music. For most folks, this means playing their favorite tunes with a minimum of practice.

2. It Costs Little in Terms of Money and Effort

The lessons do take awhile, but even learning can be fun - if you let it be. And once the lessons are through, and since you'll already own your own instrument, your enjoyment costs you zero in terms of effort and expense. Just play.

3. Science now confirms that your efforts will keep you as young as possible.

From the pages of NYT "best-sellers" to your favorite magazines, the news about adult music training is all positive. I have copies which explain how learning takes place at every age (I could have told them that years ago!) not just for children. Science now has proven this fact and even invented a wonderful $10 word for it - "neuroplasticity!" This means that in order to keep the brain and hands as young as possible, older learners need to learn new things.

But how hard is that? I've taught ages 5 ½ to 97 and I can conclusively state that adults, on the average, learn 10 -20X faster than children. Yes, I know this goes against "conventional wisdom." However, ask yourself how often that's been wrong! Ask any parent about why their child only slowly "gets the picture" and you'll have your answer. Sure, there are "young Mozarts," but they are few and far between!

Music Grading - LDS Simplified Hymnal

One thing I have discovered in my years of playing and teaching piano is that there is a serious need for a standardized, consistent music grading system. A large amount of music is simply ungraded, and different publishers use the same terms to describe VERY different playing levels (any beginner attempting to play "easy" piano music has surely encountered this phenomenon). I would like to develop a computer program that will accept and automatically grade digital music. But until that program is written, I've decided to take a stab at grading piano pieces myself. The first book I decided to grade is the LDS Simplified Hymnal (the one with the gray cover, last updated in 1986). Here then, with a *huge* "I've never done this before" disclaimer, is my attempt at organizing the songs in this book into relative difficulties:

EASIEST
5 - Redeemer of Israel
10 - We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
50 - How Firm a Foundation
54 - For the Beauty of the Earth
76 - How Gentle God's Commands
89 - Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
91 - Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
92 - Sweet Hour of Prayer
100 - Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part
102 - Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
124 - Jesus, Once of Humble Birth
127 - Silent Night
132 - Away in a Manger
154 - Choose the Right
162 - Do What Is Right
207 - Our Father, by Whose Name
208 - I Am a Child of God
209 - Keep The Commandments
210 - Teach Me to Walk in the Light
211 - Love One Another
216 - Ye Elders of Israel

MODERATELY EASY
6 - Now Let Us Rejoice
15 - We Ever Pray for Thee
18 - God Bless Our Prophet Dear
20 - A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
33 - Glory to God on High
48 - Faith of Our Fathers
55 - Prayer of Thanksgiving
56 - Come, Ye Thankful People
57 - Now Thank We All Our God
58 - Dearest Children, God is Near You
63 - I Need Thee Every Hour
64 - Lord, Accept Our True Devotion
69 - Come, Follow Me
70 - Be Still, My Soul
72 - Come unto Jesus
73 - Come, We That Love the Lord
77 - Be Thou Humble
78 - Where Can I Turn for Peace
80 - I Know that My Redeemer Lives
83 - Testimony
88 - Let the Holy Spirit Guide
90 - Secret Prayer
96 - Sweet Is the Work
98 - Sing We Now at Parting
100 - God Be with You Till We Meet Again
114 - 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
116 - We'll Sing All Hail to Jesus' Name
120 - I Stand All Amazed
122 - There Is a Green Hill Far Away
123 - How Great the Wisdom and the Love
130 - Joy to the World
134 - Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
136 - The First Noel
141 - I Have Work Enough to Do
147 - Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
156 - You Can Make the Pathway Bright
158 - Count Your Blessings
164 - We Love Thy House, O God
166 - Let Us All Press On
186 - How Wondrous and Great
187 - Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted
188 - I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go
190 - Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth
192 - Truth Reflects upon Our Senses
202 - Love at Home
217 - Rise Up, O Men of God
219 - Come, All Ye Sons of God

MODERATELY DIFFICULT
4 - High on the Mountain Top
8 - Israel, Israel, God Is Calling
16 - Praise to the Man
19 - Joseph Smith's First Prayer
22 - Come, Come, Ye Saints
31 - Come, Ye Children of the Lord
35 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
36 - All Glory, Laud, and Honor
38 - God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee
40 - Press Forward, Saints
41 - Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah
42 - All creatures of Our God and King
44 - God is Love
46 - How Great Thou Art
62 - Lead, Kindly Light
65 - Master, the Tempest is Raging
68 - Our Savior's Love
74 - Though Deepening Trials
82 - My Redeemer Lives
84 - I Believe in Christ
86 - Did You Think to Pray?
94 - Gently Raise the Sacred Strain
99 - Now the Day Is Over
104 - Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide
106 - Abide with Me!
107 - God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray
108 - In Humility, Our Savior
115 - Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King
117 - God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son
126 - He Is Risen!
128 - Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
133 - O Little Town of Bethlehem
138 - Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
139 - We Are Sowing
142 - Come, Let Us Anew
144 - There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today
146 - Improve the Shining Moments
150 - Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words
152 - Scatter Sunshine
160 - Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
165 - O Thou Rock of Our Salvation
179 - Hope of Israel
180 - Onward, Christian Soldiers
182 - Hark, All Ye Nations!
184 - Go 'Forth with Faith
185 - Arise, O God, and Shine
191 - Oh Say, What Is Truth?
194 - The Iron Rod
195 - Help Me Teach with Inspiration
196 - Thanks for the Sabbath School
198 - The Glorious Gospel Light has Shown
199 - Each Life That Touches Ours for Good
200 - O My Father
201 - As I Search the Holy Scriptures
206 - Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth
212 - In Our Lovely Deseret
218 - Ye Who Are Called to Labor

MORE DIFFICULT
2 - The Spirit of God
12 - Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice
14 - We Listen to a Prophet's Voice
26 - Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
28 - Battle Hymn of the Republic
30 - Come, O Thou King of Kings
32 - Great King of Heaven
34 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
37 - God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
52 - The Lord Is My Light
60 - The Lord Is My Shepherd
79 - More Holiness Give Me
94 - As the Dew from Heaven Distilling
103 - As the Shadows Fall
110 - O God, the Eternal Father
112 - While of These Emblems We Partake
113 - Upon the Cross of Calvary
118 - In Memory of the Crucified
119 - Behold the Great Redeemer Die
140 - Because I Have Been Given Much
148 - Have I Done Any Good?
168 - Called to Serve
170 - We Are All Enlisted
172 - Behold! A Royal Army
176 - Carry On
204 - Families Can Be Together Forever
214 - The Light Divine

MOST DIFFICULT
1 - The Morning Breaks
9 - An Angel from on High
24 - Zion Stands with Hills Surrounded
125 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
174 - True to the Faith