Mood Swings

Imagination is an elegant lyrical showcase solo for late intermediates composed by British composer Jenny Walker.

Awkward Waltz is a tender, minor-key anthem for introverts composed by Stacy Fahrion. This contemplative gem will be a hit with teens and intermediates of all ages.

Wind Whirls, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level showcase solo. Its passages divided between the hands give it a showy effect, with some interesting harmonies.

Pernicious Pumpkin is a whimsically macabre concoction of nursery rhymes by Stacy Fahrion. This eclectic, minor-key gem will be a hit with teens and intermediates of all ages.

Paper Airplane by Sara Tomlinson is an expressive and flowing piece at the late intermediate level. Students will find the chromatic scales and left-hand crossovers fun and impressive. Suitable for students for intermediates of all ages.

Frenzy!, composed by Rick Robertson, is a fast & flashy late intermediate level toccata, with driving rhythms and quartal harmonies. It would make an exciting recital or festival selection.

This book presents strategies for learning to play polyrhythms, from the most common ones, such as two against three, up through four against five. It contains rhythm exercises, improvisation suggestions, and thirteen pieces based on polyrhythms. Once you’ve worked with the book, you might develop intense cravings for more polyrhythms, and may even be inspired to compose polyrhythmic pieces of your own.

Feel the energy and pulse of San Francisco with this set of six character pieces by Barbara Becker. Harmonically innovative showcase solos for intermediates of all ages!

Valse Parisienne is a lyrical piano solo by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. Inspired by Chopin’s Waltz in B minor, this waltz is ideal for intermediates of all ages and a great way to introduce the concept of rubato.

Space Waltz, composed by Ron Levy, is a delightful showcase solo for intermediates. This cinematic-style solo will serve as a great performance piece for recitals.

Moonlight is a lyrical solo with a splash of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” throughout. This piece, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is ideal for intermediates and is part of the Let’s Quest Volume 3 songbook.

With its catchy rhythmic drive and harmonic twists, Tango Twist, composed by Jenny Walker is a joy to play, a pleasure to listen to and a real showcase piece for adventurous students and teachers alike.

Monday’s Child is a suite of seven character pieces, composed by Joanne Griffiths, based on the children’s traditional British fortune-telling poem “Monday’s Child.” It is contemporary in style, particularly influenced by Ludovico Einaudi and Arvo Part. The pieces are mainly light and gentle in mood with meditative patterns, sequences, imitation and repetition at the core and topped with lyrical melodies, portraying the character of each child for that day.

Sky Castles, by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a delightful, upbeat, lyrical showcase piece for the early intermediate pianist.

Something on the Slide is a Satie-esque waltz composed by British composer Joanne Grifiths. The accompaniment is built on two positions, C and G, with octave leaps from the bass to the chord. Awareness of balance between the hands is needed for this, to bring out the melody.

If You Believe, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. It is very effective in performance, and makes an excellent repertoire choice for a developing pianist. It can also be used in wedding or service playing.

Hold On is a lyrical pop solo ideal for intermediate pianists of any age. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Dreamweaver songbook.

August is a new age piano solo, composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien NCTM, for intermediate and late intermediate pianists. The pedagogical focus of this selection is small hand accessibility. The waltz-time setting and straight eighths are ideal for helping players achieve a fluid technique and a sense of forward motion. The melodic content is “hidden” within the right hand eighths and gives ample opportunity for developing sophisticated voicing.