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Songbook Review: Safe Harbor
Rhonda Mackert
Cover image of the songbook Safe Harbor by Rhonda Mackert
Safe Harbor
Rhonda Mackert
2014 / Rhonda Mackert
68 pages / 13 songs
Review by Kathy Parsons
Safe Harbor is the companion solo piano sheet music book to Rhonda Mackert’s 2014 album by the same name. All thirteen tracks are included, transcribed note-for-note by Donovan Johnson; I proofed and edited. The book is spiral-bound and printed on a heavy paper stock that should hold up for years of piano playing pleasure. The layout is roomy and uncluttered and the print is crisp and clear. None of these songs are what I would call difficult, so pianists at an upper-intermediate and above level should find much to enjoy without having to work too hard to learn the music. There are a few places where the timing is a little bit challenging, but again, nothing really difficult. None of the songs are composed in complicated time signatures, and there are no reaches of more than an octave. The music itself is mostly relaxing and uplifting, so pianists of all ages should find many fulfilling hours playing this music. Piano teachers can be assured that this is music that their students will enjoy learning. This songbook is available in printed form or as a digital download (single pieces or the whole book) from rhondamackert.com. Recommended!

The individual song titles, the keys they are written in, and the number of pages are as follows:

Dreamer’s Lament - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - Level 3 - 5 pages
Shadowlands - Key of Bb minor (5 flats) - Level 4 - 5 1/2 pages
Approaching Storm - Key of G minor (2 flats) - Level 4 - 5 pages
Eye of the Storm - Key of D minor (1 flat) - Level 2.5 - 4 pages
Uncharted - Key of B minor (2 sharps) - Level 3 - 6 1/2 pages
Sea Glass - Key of C minor (3 flats) - Level 4 - 5 1/2 pages
Seabirds - Key of A minor (0 sharps or flats)/ F major (1 flat) - Level 3 - 4 1/2 pages
Sailing In a Gentle Rain - Key of A major (3 sharps) - Level 3.5 - 5 pages
Where Sea and Stars Meet - Key of Bb major (2 flats) - Level 4 - 4 pages
Safe Harbor - Key of F major (1 flat) - Level 3 - 6 1/2 pages
Morning at the Marina - Key of G major (1 sharp) - Level 3 - 4 1/2 pages
Breathing In the Sun - Key of C major (0 sharps or flats)/ F major - Level 3.5 - 4 pages
Journey’s End - Key of G major - Level 2.5 - 4 pages
February 20, 2015
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