Help needed choosing suitable music for my 8 year niece to play at my wedding

[wabblit]

Hello and thanks for reading my post.

I have absolutely no musical bones in my body, but I am getting married in June and I've asked my (very excited) niece to play some piano music at our wedding and she jumped at the opportunity.  She has only just starting learning so I want to give her something manageable, and think its really cute that she wants to give it a go no matter how she gets on.

The trouble is, I have absolutely NO IDEA what music to buy her to start learning - can anyone recommend anything suitable that I can check out and listen to (seriously Im soooo not musical its beyond a joke!) - any suggestions would really help me narrow it down.  She will be playing it after the ceremony once everyone is having drinks, so something beautiful (possibly more modern but what do I know!) would be perfect.

Anyone willing to offer any suggestions? Thanks in advance 

[j_menz]

I'd suggest you ask her what she'd want to play; probably something from what she already does.

[Bob]

Yes, whatever she already knows.  Something easy in an informal setting.

8 years old?  Just started?  And playing at a wedding though?  I don't think she should be playing but if she would play, make it something that's absolutely no pressure and where she doesn't have an audience staring at her.

[flyinfingers]

Well, if it's in a party setting, she will have to play something upbeat to not dampen the mood!  I don't know.  Could be kind of awkward unless she does it while dinner is served.

[Bob]

Some lively Hot Cross Buns?

[quantum]

You may want to think about integrating the theme of the wedding in to the choice of music.  Very early student music tends to sound, for the lack of a better word - studenty.  Pieces for this level are usually also quite short (less than one minute).  So instead of having this 45 second stand alone piece that sticks out, you could have your niece do something that supports the theme of the wedding and can be integrated into the flow of events. 

Have your niece do many practice performance runs in front of a live audience before the actual day.  It doesn't specifically have to be the piece you choose, as the focus is gaining experience playing in front of people. 

[tekime]

Here Comes The Bride, of course!

Zero experience + live performance = scary! But this piece is probably as easy as it gets, and it definitely fits the theme.

Plus, she can just play it over and over as long as needed.

Edit: Just noticed you said this is after the ceremony, this song is a bridal march, but hey it could still work.

[Bob]

Is the 8 year old a musical genius?  (If so, let her pick her own music.)

With maybe six months of lessons? 


Something from a method book series with a steady beat. 

[wabblit]

Thanks everyone (well the constructive ones!), she has a natural gift and is learning (and has pretty much nailed it) Beethoven Moonlight Sonata!!!