Kids Classical Music

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Nutcracker listening map

A free Nutcracker Suite listening map to print: the eight dances in order, what to listen for in each one, a way to move, and a box to tick.

Ages 3 and up1 pageFree to print for home and classroom use

The Nutcracker Suite is a set of eight short pieces that Tchaikovsky took from his ballet The Nutcracker. The whole suite lasts about twenty minutes. This map lists the eight stops in order, with one thing to listen for and one way to move at each stop.

How to use it

Start with three stops: the March, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Russian Dance. They sound nothing alike, so a child can tell them apart on the first day. Say the title, play the piece, and ask your child to circle fast or slow. Then tick the box.

Stay with the same few stops for a week before adding the rest. Check the track list of your recording first. Some recordings play the pieces in another order or add pieces that are not in the suite.

Before a trip to the ballet, bring the finished map along. Many of these dances come in the second act.

Only the sheet below prints. It fits letter and A4 paper. For a clean page, turn off headers and footers in the print window.

The Nutcracker Suite listening map

Name

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Follow the path from stop 1 to stop 8. Circle fast or slow, then tick the box.

  1. 1

    Miniature Overture

    Listen for: A light, quick tune. No cellos or double basses play.

    Move: Does the music sound big or tiny?

    fastslow

    Heard it

  2. 2

    March

    Listen for: Trumpets lead a bouncy march.

    Move: March in place. Stop when the music stops.

    fastslow

    Heard it

  3. 3

    Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

    Listen for: The celesta, a keyboard that sounds like tiny bells.

    Move: Tiptoe.

    fastslow

    Heard it

  4. 4

    Russian Dance (Trepak)

    Listen for: Fast and loud. It gets faster.

    Move: Jump on the strong beats.

    fastslow

    Heard it

  5. 5

    Arabian Dance

    Listen for: Slow, swaying music over a steady beat.

    Move: Sway from side to side.

    fastslow

    Heard it

  6. 6

    Chinese Dance

    Listen for: A high flute plays quick notes over low, plucked sounds.

    Move: Move with tiny, quick hands.

    fastslow

    Heard it

  7. 7

    Dance of the Reed Flutes

    Listen for: Flutes play a gentle, rolling tune.

    Move: Sit still and settle.

    fastslow

    Heard it

  8. 8

    Waltz of the Flowers

    Listen for: A harp starts. Then horns, then a big waltz in the strings.

    Move: Count ONE two three. Sway or spin.

    fastslow

    Heard it

Nutcracker listening mapkidsclassicalmusic.com

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