La complainte du phoque en Alaska

The first collection of French song sheet music graded by level of difficulty, CrocK’MusiC offers a clear path from level 1 to 9, designed by piano teachers. The works, drawn mainly from the French chanson repertoire, speak immediately to the student: they build on familiar melodies, stimulate listening, make reading easier and recreate a direct link with the instrument.

Technique stops being an obstacle and becomes a lever; CrocK’MusiC is not an alternative to the traditional repertoire, it is a parallel path that leads naturally back to it.

Marie-Lise Vernet’s piano transcription of this Quebec classic is adapted here to offer a perfect balance between the gentleness of the original folk song and accessible piano writing. Written by Michel Rivard in 1974, this piece is a hymn to melancholy and travel.

Difficulty level: ⑤ (Intermediate pieces)
This level 5 score helps stabilise the foundations of accompanied melodic playing.
Learning focuses on:
- Rhythm: mastering triple time and the regularity of crotchets and quavers to support the flow of the text.
- Technique: work on left-hand held notes, small stretches and the balance of sound between a singing right hand and a discreet left hand.
- Clarity: an airy layout in C major, careful and complete engraving with fingerings.

Crock'Music scores include the lyrics and are printed on sturdy natural Rives 170g paper.
These individual scores are available in songbook form, but also as downloads.