Backyard Bash: Volume Two

This combo deal includes both volumes of Backyard Bash featuring easy, engaging solos with music and lyrics by Sarah Reaser O’Brien. These volumes are ideal for beginners and late beginners.

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

Groundhog Day is a showcase solo for late beginners that includes lyrics. This piece composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien is part of the Backyard Bash Volume 2 songbook.

Morning Sounds is an easy lyrical solo for beginners composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien that includes lyrics. This piece serves as a great introduction to playing in waltz-time, crossovers, and easy open-fifth position shifts with the left hand.

Sunny Day is a delightful, lyrical solo written at three different levels by Robyn Fehrenbacher. Includes two beginner versions with optional teacher duet, as well as a solo version for late beginners of all ages.

Soaring on the Wings of Stallions, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a mesmerizing showcase solo ideal for late beginners. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales Volume 2 songbook.

Opening Day, composed by Ron Levy, is an uplifting easy showcase solo ideal for late beginners and early intermediates of all ages!

Waltz of the Daffodils, composed by Kevin Costley, is an elegant waltz for late beginners. This pattern-based piece would be an ideal recital or festival selection.

The Butterfly is an introspective, lyrical solo for early intermediates of all ages by Jennifer Eklund. With its delicate harmonies, this piece offers the opportunity for budding musicians to work on expressive playing and dynamic nuances.

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.

A modern mellow spin on the third movement of the Spring concerto from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” arranged for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund.

Hummingbird, composed by Rick Robertson, is a rapid-fire late-elementary piano solo. It is an excellent velocity etude or encore piece.

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.

Cherry Blossoms, composed by Kevin Costley, is an ambient lyrical solo for late beginners. This piece serves as a great opportunity for students to work on shifting fifths in the left hand and melodic phrasing.

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!

Vivaldi’s iconic Spring Theme, from The Four Seasons, arranged for late beginners of all ages by Jennifer Eklund. Includes an upbeat, contemporary teacher accompaniment. Part of the Piano Pronto: Movement 1 method book.

Carousel, composed by Rick Robertson, is a showcase solo for late beginners. Its rhythm suggests the up and down motion of a horse on a carousel, with a tune that is suggestive of a calliope.

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.