Gary Johnston

Plink! Plank! Plonk! is a whimsical, novelty swing tune by Gary Johnston for early intermediate players featuring a walking bass line, grace notes, syncopation, and a modulation.

Midsummer Days, composed by Gary Johnston, is a light and airy lyrical solo for early intermediates and up. This piece offers a great opportunity to work on syncopated rhythms and lyrical phrasing.

Innuendo is a Latin-flavored jazz piece in a minor key composed by Gary Johnston. The chord symbols are included for those who wish to improvise.

Stately march by Sir Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934), Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Trio). Often used as a graduation march and is traditionally the finale at the Last Night of the Proms. This arrangement by Gary Johnston is written in a homophonic chorale style suitable for most formal occasions.

Written as a commemorative piece for the centenary of the battle of Beaumont-Hamel, July 1, 1916. Of the nearly 800 men who took part in the Allied offensive only 68 were to answer roll call the following day. Opening with the toll of bells this solo piano piece has a simple, yet haunting, Celtic-inspired melody played over a military drum-like drone.

Heart’s Desire, composed by Gary Johnston, is an introspective lyrical piano solo for early intermediates inspired by long walks in the northern woods.

Rolling Blues, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bluesy early intermediate solo by Gary Johnston featuring triplets, a walking base line, syncopation and room for improvisation using the C blues scale.

Night Owl is a swinging’ jazzy solo for early intermediates composed by Gary Johnston.

Strolling’ is a bouncy little jazz piece composed by Gary Johnston featuring a tuba-like bass line in New Orleans-style.

Walkin’ the Dawg is a bright jazzy swing piece with a bluesy feel by Gary Johnston. Great introduction to learning walking bass lines for the intermediate pianist.

Back to School Boogie, composed by Gary Johnston, is a lively riff blues with a good old boogie-woogie left hand. The middle section of this early-intermediate solo features a bluesy variation on the ABC song!

Funky Dunky is a fun and energetic riff-based blues piece composed by Gary Johnston. This pattern-based piece is ideal for early intermediates and is a great way to introduce 12-bar blues, swing feel, and parallel motion in the hands.

Summer Breeze is a relaxed bossa-nova style piano solo by Gary Johnston evocative of a lazy summer day. This early intermediate showcase provides a great opportunity for teaching duplets.

By the Frozen Mill Pond by Gary Johnston is a wistful piano solo for early intermediates of all ages. This elegant, introspective melody, conjures up images of a frosty day on a frozen pond.