Let your fingers follow the warmth of the morning sun with A Morning Sunbeam, the opening piece in Florence Price’s 3 Sketches for Little Pianists. This beginner-friendly work gently explores phrasing, tone, and balance through a radiant melody that captures the peaceful joy of a new day. A perfect piece to start building musical sensitivity in young pianists.
The History of the Music & the Composer Behind It
Florence Beatrice Price (1887–1953) was a trailblazing American composer, and the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra (Chicago Symphony, 1933).
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Price studied at the New England Conservatory and infused her music with both European classical tradition and African-American spirituals. Her catalog includes symphonies, piano works, vocal music, and chamber pieces, many of which were rediscovered in the early 21st century after being long neglected.
The 3 Sketches for Little Pianists, composed in the late 1930s, were written as pedagogical miniatures designed to teach young players the foundations of lyrical playing. A Morning Sunbeam, the first of the three, paints a peaceful morning through repeated broken chords, gentle phrasing, and simple melodic motion. It reflects both her classical training and her gift for evocative, heartfelt music.
Playing Tips for Beginners
- Keep a steady pulse
The piece is marked Andantino (♩. = 69). Stay calm and consistent, like a slow, relaxed walk in the sunlight. - Shape the two-bar phrases
Each idea lasts two measures. Let the phrase rise and fall gently, giving a sense of movement and breath. - Play the left-hand patterns evenly
The left hand plays a broken chord pattern (5-3-1). Focus on finger strength and legato touch without tension. - Maintain finger curvature
Since the piece stays within a 5-finger position, use this opportunity to reinforce hand posture and smooth transitions. - Right hand should sing
Even though the melody is sparse, give each note a lyrical quality, don’t rush or clip it short. Imagine the sunlight dancing softly on each tone.
Your Goal
Your goal with A Morning Sunbeam is to express calmness and balance while maintaining clear phrasing and smooth technical control.
By the end of your practice, you should be able to play the full piece hands together, with even broken chords in the left hand and a gently singing melody in the right. Focus on building dynamic control and shaping each phrase with intention. If your performance feels warm, relaxed, and poetic, like a quiet sunrise, you’ve truly brought this little gem to life.
Last update: January 4, 2026
