Carousel

Backyard Bash, Volume 2, is a collection of solos written for late beginning pianists who enjoy playing music with lyrics. It is the sequel to Backyard Bash and offers just enough additional difficulty to challenge and delight students. These pieces were written about actual creatures which inhabit our Southwest Virginia backyard, and the lyrics are intended to facilitate study of the music while also amusing the performer. I have found that my students love playing these songs because they sound more difficult than they are, and they are fun to sing along with! I hope you enjoy these musical nature studies and learn to play them all!

On the Prowl is a easy minor-key showcase solo composed by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of the Easy Cool Cats songbook.

What could be nicer than a cat nap on a lazy afternoon? This laid-back jazz piece by Chrissy Ricker is sure to be a hit with early intermediates of all ages!

Easy Cool Cats, is a collection of twelve easy showcase solos composed by Chrissy Ricker. These jazzy solos represent a variety of genres and will appeal to late beginners and early intermediates of all ages!

Flying Dragons, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a fast & flashy showcase solo for late beginners and early intermediates. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales songbook.

The Frog Prince, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a jovial showcase solo for late beginners and up. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales Volume Two songbook.

Chasing the Paints is an early intermediate showcase solo composed by Jane Tate. This fun and silly song is a showdown between horse and owner trying to catch her in the field.

Spiders In My Bed is a showcase piano solo by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick that is ideal for late beginners and early intermediates. It’s a light-hearted homage to our arachnid friends with a dash of Johannes Brahms!

Top Cat Boogie, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a fast 1950s rock-style solo for late beginners. This piece is part of the Easy Cool Cats songbook.

Black Cat Capers, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a fast & flashy showcase solo for late beginners that serves as a great introduction to triplets. This piece is part of the Colorful Capers songbook.

March of the Red Ants, composed by Kevin Costley, is an showcase solo for late beginners. This piece serves as a great opportunity for students to work on playing a steady bass line, triplets, and shifting between major and minor modes.

Backyard Bash is a collection of solos written for beginning pianists who enjoy playing music with lyrics. With the exception of three pieces, Crazy Cat, Old Dog, and Tree Swallow, these songs describe actual events that have happened in my suburban backyard in Southwest Virginia. Crazy Cat combines the personalities of two of our family cats, Calhoun and Casper, into one. Old Dog is about our Golden Retriever, Clyde, who lived with us when we started our family and was the kindest and most gentle dog I’ve ever known. Tree Swallow is about a male tree swallow who behaved exactly as described in the lyrics, but in my father’s backyard rather than in mine. I have found that my students love playing these songs because they sound more difficult than they are, and they are fun to sing along with! I hope you enjoy these musical nature studies and learn to play them all! - Sarah O’Brien

Do you have students who love to play fast and are always wondering just how high the metronome can go? This is the collection for them! Full Speed Ahead features fourteen fast and flashy showcase solos for late beginners and early intermediates. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund.

The Mountain King’s End Game, is a spooky Halloween-themed mashup for late beginners. This piece is part of the Easy Spooktacular Solos songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

Shadowfall is a minor-key showcase solo ideal for late beginners of all ages. This pattern-based solo, easily taught by rote or note, will be a hit at your next recital! Part of the Spotlight Solos Plus songbook.

Mastermind, is an upbeat Latin-style multi-level solo by Jennifer Eklund for beginners and late beginners of all ages. This piece is part of the Level Up! songbook.

The Getaway is a choose-your-own-adventure-style collection by Lisa Frederick that allows the student to choose how their musical adventure unfolds. Includes 12 showcase solos in varying styles and tonal centers ideal for late beginners of all ages.

Hit the Ground Running is a fast & flashy minor-key solo for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This showcase piece is part of the Full Speed Ahead songbook.