Subject Guides: Music: LDS: Primary Music

LDS music for children in the HBLL

The Music section of the HBLL collects vocal music for children. Arangements or compositions by church members can be found by searching "Mormon Music Collection" in a general keyword search.

M 1990 – M 1998 = secular vocal music for children

M 2190 – M 2196 = sacred vocal music for children

Compositions by LDS composers are designated by a .8 after the call number (so, for example: M 2190.8, or M 1990.8).

Primary Music Online

Children's music by Michael Moody
Meters of Songs in the Children's Songbook
Thanks to Nathan Howe for this list of meters.
Primary Songs on the Ukulele
For GCEA tuning. Compiled by Marci Preece.
Scripture Mastery Primary Songs

Primary Songbook (1912)
Internet archive copy of the 1912 LDS Primary songbook.
The Children's Friend 1902-1970
Before THE FRIEND, the church published THE CHILDREN's FRIEND. Here is an index to the music published in it.
Los Articulos de Fe
2022 updated and edited music by Vanja Y. Watkins.

LDS Church Music (for Children) This interactive web page allows you to view, listen to, transpose, and print children's songs. Additional resources available to assist in learning and teaching music reading and conducting.
Free LDS Sheet Music (Primary songs) by Melissa Pack 188 arrangements of songs included in the LDS Children's songbook.
Music published in the Friend since 1972 List says "all" but there may be some delay, or some titles that are missing. Some great songs here that are church published!
Sally Deford Music Online Sally Deford shares her music online because, as she explains, “The Lord has placed me in circumstances that currently don’t demand extra income, he has inspired the creators of technology to produce programs that I can use to publish the music without the assistance of typesetters, and he has given me a gift that I did nothing to earn.”
Simplified Primary Music Valerie Brown offers simplified piano accompaniments for music from the LDS Children's songbook because "When you have people singing with you, it is better to play a simple arrangement well than to play a difficult arrangement haltingly." Also useful for children who are just learning to play Primary songs. Some songs in Spanish.
Sacred Songs for Children by Betsy Lee Bailey Eleven songs, nine of which are free for the printing. Also check out Betsy's "Fun Songs for Kids" link!
Sacred Songs (for Children) by Sharon Austad Bagley 16 original songs and arrangements by Sharon Austad Bagley intended to use with children.
Smurthwaite Song Primary Arrangements by Michael Smurthwaite These simplified arrangements feature the melody with simple supporting notes or chords. Since they are in the original key, it makes it easier for emergent pianists to transition into the regular Primary songbook. Only the Primary songs which have a Spanish equivalent are included here. No prohibited copyrighted songs are included.
Mark Newman Music
New songs for primary children.
Chapel Music Online (Children's category) by Bonnie Heidenreich 30 original songs or arrangements intended for children. All music on this site may be copied for personal, home or church use only. It may not be used for commercial use or resell purposes. Lyrics and/or music may not be altered or rearranged. Commercial recordings may not be made without permission. All rights reserved.
I can play it! by LDS Church Music
This is a collection of simplified songs from the Children’s Songbook and Sharing Time Outlines.
Title / First Line Index to "Lost Hymns" of LDS Auxiliaries by Bruce T. Forbes This indexes songs and hymns that were used in auxiliary organizations in the past: Primary, Sunday School, Youth and Relief Society hymns. If you are trying to find a song you remember from days gone by that you know you learned in Primary or Sunday School, this might be a good place to look!
Children's Songs by Marlene D. Bartlett LDS composer from Arizona.

Helpful websites for Primary music leaders

Jolly Jenn offers illustrated flipcharts in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

DeeAnn Stone has an aggregated list of all the songs in the Children's Songbook with links to various flipcharts. Scroll to the bottom for Spanish versions. Alphabetical list of Primary Flip Charts also available here.

Sharla Dance gives Primary music workshops and shares her ideas on her blog, where you can also sign up to receive her newsletter.

Camille's Primary Ideas : lesson plans to teach various songs in the Children's songbook and more.

Betsy Lee Bailey offers "Teaching Strategies and Visual Aids for the Primary Music Leader"

There is a Facebook group for LDS Primary Music Leaders in which 24,000+ people share their ideas. It is a closed group, so you will have to join it to use it.