Good one, Rich. The instructor in my sight-reading class at Cornish School used a similar line-up. Very helpful.

Years ago I watched a TV program on which Leonard Bernstein was explaining the fundamentals of music to kids. Among other things, he lined out a huge number of pieces (popular, classical, everything!) that started out with the first four notes of "How Dry I Am." Amazing! Try "Plaisir d'amour" for openers. . . .

The opening words of "The Star-Spangled Banner" outline a major chord, starting on the 5th, e.g.: O-oh say can you see (G-E-C-E-G-C). The next word, "by" is an E above the top C. No wonder it's a bitch to sing--a span of an octave and a third within the first six words.

All kinds of fun stuff if you look for it.

Don Firth