The Pimba notation aims at quick results for young students. Scores are easily accessible and children play a lot by ear. And at the same time they also learn the basics of traditional Western music notation.
After letter songs in 1st level, the division is roughly as follows.
2e level white keys
3e level introductions to sharps
4e level introduction to flats
5e level more complicated (and longer) scores, and an introduction to chords.
Pimba doesn't use this classification too rigidly: if a song is very easy, and there is just one easy black key in it, then that song might fit better in the 2nd level. If you choose to do so, pleaese explain that black key in the accompanying explanation text. And at the same time: realise that Pimba is meant for young children who have never done anything on a piano/keyboard. Keep it easy!
The main characteristic of the Pimba notation is the absence of any information about rhythm and time signature. And also repetition marks, dynamics and phrasing and such are used sparingly.
In Pimba notation, the distance to the next note is used as an indication of the length of the note. In addition, Pimba uses slurs to make the arrangement of the notes understandable. And of course, there are lyrics below the notes. In addition, the original version of the song is immediately available, so you can easily listen to how the song sounds. All this stimulates playing by ear and feeling. Without all the intellectual rhythmic puzzling in that very first phase.
Pimba scores can be created with multiple programs. Often files can be exchanged between these apps in the MusicXML format. Unfortunately, rhythm-free notation is not a part of this standard. As a result, it is not possible to offer a generally usable template here. On the other hand, it has become increasingly easier to create an accessible Pimba score in recent years. You might use the following rules of thumb:
- Think in advance about what might be the most difficult part of your score. You can often use a regular XML score as a starting point.
- It is rarely time-saving to first make a rhythmically correct score (except if you want to use the information for more advanced students).
- Reading multiple short slurs is often easier for children than many notes in one long slur
- Make bar lines invisible at a later stage. This way your score will remain clear to you for a longer period of time (especially useful if you are making a score from scratch by ear).
- It is often also time-saving to make the stems and such invisible at a later stage.
- Write a separate accidental for each black key, even if you have for example 3 B♭'s in a row.
- Try to avoid ‘breaking off’ a slur to the next line.
- You are cordially invited to include your name etc. as an arranger in your score. Please note that the PimbaPimba logo is always added automatically at the bottom right (see the Guidelines for letter songs).
- Where possible, place images behind the sheet music (transparent), so that your score remains easy to read as a PDF file.
PimbaPiano has included the option of a sample video for support. You can, as it were, demonstrate the song. This option is not mandatory. The possibilities are legion these days. A simple film made with your phone, animated midi files as in SeeMusic, and the most fantastic combinations of any of these. Feel free to use this option, or not.
Finally
Pimba doesn't use fixed fonts, font sizes and the like. Also the dimensions of the staff, spaces and the like are not fixed. You can be guided by existing Pimba scores, but do not feel obliged to follow this design. The most important tip: keep it as accessible as possible.
Imagine, as an arranger, having to play a score of an unfamiliar piece on an instrument you’ve never played before,
with instructions in a language that you don’t speak, while the sheet is upside down on the music stand.
For a detailed description how to enter a new song, please see the song entry manual page.