WHAT'S NEW
End of Year Music Drop
Once upon a time (three years ago), my mother said to me, "You should think about writing music." Since then, I have made it a goal to put together enough music over the year to make her a CD for Christmas. Usually, I'm rushing to get it done, so here are the songs of 2022 that are just now making it to the website.
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A Shepherd's LullabyFor this song, I tried to imagine what a shepherd parent would sing to their child as they waited for Christ to come. I'm so fortunate to have very talented neighbors, and my daughter, to help me perform it. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
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He Knows Your NameI was asked by a good friend to write a song for a church women's conference about how Christ brings "Sweet Relief" into our lives. So many of us struggle, but if we have faith, Christ will bring us the peace and relief that we are searching for.
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My Heavenly Father Loves MeThis is an arrangement of one of my favorite primary songs. Unfortunately, I don't have the copyright privileges yet, so the sheet music will have to come later.
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Simply Love YouThis has been a year of growth for me in many ways. The words of this song describe the conclusion that I've come to after seeing so much discord and unrest in the word. No matter who we are, or what we do, God gives us one job; simply love each other.
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Called to Serve MedleyI love making my kids play the piano together. As much as they hate it, I can't help but smile while forcing them to practice with each other. When it all comes together, they find that they actually enjoy it too. This is the latest piano trio. It's a medley of Called to Serve, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Hope of Israel.
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Quick! Hide!
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Happy Halloween!! Here is a really fun piano trio for around levels 2, 3, and 4. You can hear the stomping monsters, brewing witches, skipping skeletons, creeping spiders, flying bats, and a spooky dance party in the middle.
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There is a Green Hill Far Away
-Arrangement
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Get ready for a long one! I don’t usually spill my guts, but I just wanted to share a few stories that have been life changing for me. A couple weeks before life shut down in 2020, I received a call from my parents that my mom had just been into the hospital and they had found a tumor in her brain. It turned out to be glioblastoma and her odds were looking pretty horrible. Fast forward two years, a couple surgeries, radiation, monthly chemotherapy, countless hours of physical and speech therapy, an ironclad determination to live and continue to serve others, a caring husband (she says she wouldn’t have made it without my dad) a few miracles mixed in there, and I was able to wish my mom a happy 21st birthday again a couple weeks ago. I thank God everyday that she is alive and still setting the most amazing example to all around her.
In April my parents were able to go on a tour of Israel, a dream of my moms. My mom has always had faith in Jesus Christ and has lived a life true to His teachings. Now, more than ever though, you can just see the love she has for Him beaming out. She holds dear His sacrifice, His teaching of eternal families, and His resurrection and promise of a perfect body again one day. My dad said that his favorite part of the trip was just watching how much my mom loved walking where the Savior walked and learning more of Him.
At one point, they visited the place where they believe the battle of David and Goliath happened. They had tour guides, Emily Freeman and David Butler, who would give them lessons at each place they stopped. The guides started talking about how we all face Goliaths in our own lives and that there was someone in the tour who was currently battling her own. She then asked my mom if she would share her experiences about what she had been going through. I wish that I could have heard what she said, but there were some people who took pictures of her speaking that are included in the video I’m posting, that seem to show some of the emotion that she felt. The past couple years have been hard. My mom has to deal with the affects of her brain surgery everyday. But, she never complains. She never gives up. And she now has a laser focus on what is most important in life. She armors up with her faith every morning, and conquers her Goliath each day.
So, for her birthday this year, I wanted to arrange her favorite hymn and give it to her. While I was in Idaho, I was lucky enough to bump into some old friends, Camille and Jim Johnson, at church, and remembered how much I used to love hearing them sing. Oh course, I immediately started dreaming of how awesome it would be if they, my parents dear friends, would be the singers. They happily agreed to help me record, and gave me a number of a fantastic violinist, Marilee Bird. Their incredible talents made everything turn out great! Thank you so much for helping me!!
Well, that’s probably enough said for now. Hope you will enjoy this little video of music and some pictures of my parents trip to Israel.
Love you Mom and Dad!
In April my parents were able to go on a tour of Israel, a dream of my moms. My mom has always had faith in Jesus Christ and has lived a life true to His teachings. Now, more than ever though, you can just see the love she has for Him beaming out. She holds dear His sacrifice, His teaching of eternal families, and His resurrection and promise of a perfect body again one day. My dad said that his favorite part of the trip was just watching how much my mom loved walking where the Savior walked and learning more of Him.
At one point, they visited the place where they believe the battle of David and Goliath happened. They had tour guides, Emily Freeman and David Butler, who would give them lessons at each place they stopped. The guides started talking about how we all face Goliaths in our own lives and that there was someone in the tour who was currently battling her own. She then asked my mom if she would share her experiences about what she had been going through. I wish that I could have heard what she said, but there were some people who took pictures of her speaking that are included in the video I’m posting, that seem to show some of the emotion that she felt. The past couple years have been hard. My mom has to deal with the affects of her brain surgery everyday. But, she never complains. She never gives up. And she now has a laser focus on what is most important in life. She armors up with her faith every morning, and conquers her Goliath each day.
So, for her birthday this year, I wanted to arrange her favorite hymn and give it to her. While I was in Idaho, I was lucky enough to bump into some old friends, Camille and Jim Johnson, at church, and remembered how much I used to love hearing them sing. Oh course, I immediately started dreaming of how awesome it would be if they, my parents dear friends, would be the singers. They happily agreed to help me record, and gave me a number of a fantastic violinist, Marilee Bird. Their incredible talents made everything turn out great! Thank you so much for helping me!!
Well, that’s probably enough said for now. Hope you will enjoy this little video of music and some pictures of my parents trip to Israel.
Love you Mom and Dad!
Boogie Bells
Best for students at levels 1, 3, and 4.
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Have a few kids that play the piano? I do! But, do they love it? Not really. Everyday, I have to force them to practice, I've been racking my brain for years trying to figure out how to help them learn to enjoy it. So far, I've come up with three things that help get them motivated.
First, when they reach a certain level, I've allowed them to take on a couple piano students of their own. Getting paid every week for a skill that they are working on has been great. Second, (this may not help them to love it, but it's definitely motivating) they have to practice before they get any screen time in the day. And third, is composing duets and trios that they can play with me and each other. Often times when you have someone else playing along with you, it makes it a lot more fun. I don't know if my kids will ever stop complaining about practicing, but at least they now see the benefit of piano and enjoy it just a little more. Plus, it warms my heart to see them playing the piano all together. | ||
A Refiner's Fire
by Abby West
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Have you ever met someone who never ceases to surprise you. Well, Abby West is one of those people. I'd known her for a while and had no idea all of the amazing talent she had hidden away. It's been a delight finding out all she can do.
This is a beautiful song she wrote a while back. She sings and plays the guitar, and has graciously allowed me to throw some piano in. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
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Mom Brain
Happy Mother's Day to all the women out there who help nurture the rising generations!! It's hard to describe all that it takes to start with a baby, and raise them into a successful, functioning adult. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears goes into it, but a lot of joy, love, and life come out of it. I will forever be grateful for my mother and all the other women who taught and guided me. I'll also be forever grateful for the opportunity to have my own children. They are my adventure buddies, my light when things seem dark, and my reason for everything. Hope you enjoy this silly song that pretty much describes how I feel about being a mom.
-Thanks to everyone who helped create the music and the video! You are all wonderful!!!
-Thanks to everyone who helped create the music and the video! You are all wonderful!!!
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Where Can I Turn for Peace - Peace in Christ
Arrangement
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Sheet Music for a Duet, or Women's Quartet
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Sheet Music for SATB Choir
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What a fun project!! Back in February, a group of ladies and I were asked to put together a musical number for an upcoming church conference. I had this idea to put these two songs together when I read the title, "Where Can I Turn for Peace," and immediately thought of the answer, "There is peace in Christ." Thankfully, the original composers, Joleen G. Meredith and Nik Day allowed me to arrange their music. I ended up not being able to perform the number, so I asked all of the singers if they'd mind recording at a studio. They said yes, so I found us a place. It was a real rock-n-roll type place, and they promised to give us a "fat sound." It was so fun.
After that, I just needed a video to go with it. I asked some young ladies from my church if they'd like to help out. They were so cute! They are professional actors in the making. We all did our best filming and came up with what you see. Some of the art in the film is also from friends and family who are very talented.
I'm thankful to know that when my life is hard, I can find peace in my Savior, Jesus Christ.
After that, I just needed a video to go with it. I asked some young ladies from my church if they'd like to help out. They were so cute! They are professional actors in the making. We all did our best filming and came up with what you see. Some of the art in the film is also from friends and family who are very talented.
I'm thankful to know that when my life is hard, I can find peace in my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Baptism of Clara West
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Making videos for people getting baptized has become my new favorite thing. I was so grateful for the chance to record this sweet little girl and her mom singing and playing, "I Will Walk with Jesus" by Stephen p. Schank. I don't remember as much about my baptism as I'd like to, so I hope that through making videos like this I can help others remember their special day.
Becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has blessed my life in so many ways. I have come to better know God and my Savior, met so many wonderful people who have become like family, and have had opportunities that I never could have imagined. |
Join our Facebook Group : Notes by Charlotte
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If you are taking the free online lessons, or you just love to play the piano, this Facebook Group is for YOU!! This group will be a place where you can perform the songs that you are learning for others, and cheer on those who are learning right along with you. It's also where I will be sharing helpful hints, extra practice materials, piano sheet music/book recommendations, and answering any questions that you might have about the lessons and music you find on this website.
Here is an example of the kind of posts that I hope we will see: This is a video of my son and I performing "Straw Hat Strut" by Martha Mier. It's found in her book "Jazz, Rags, and Blues for Two." I love Martha Mier's music and have been playing it since I was a kid. |
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About Notes by Charlotte
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Hello! My name is Charlotte and I am the creator and composer of Notes by Charlotte. Creating music and sharing it with others has been a dream of mine since I was young. I used to sit for hours at the piano and plunk out my own tunes. I also had great piano teachers who gave me the skills to play and a desire to keep learning. . I am currently a stay-at-home mom of four amazing children. My husband is a family physician and the love of my life. For the past ten years, I've been following him around while he has pursued his education and started his first job. As the 2020 pandemic hit, I found myself needing a way to express myself and grow personally, while still being able to maintain my "mommy" duties. I found my solace in the keys of my piano. Everything on this website is free. I would just like to add a small disclaimer. I am not a professional, and I am still learning. You will find that nothing about what I've created is perfect. However, despite the imperfections, I hope that my music and lessons can still be enjoyed and used for good. I also hope that music will bless your life just as it has blessed mine. |