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.

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.

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.

Water Lillies, composed by Kevin Costley, is an easy elegant lyrical solo that will delight late beginners of all ages.

Turkey in the Straw sheet music is a fun little romp for late beginners that is a great recital solo. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 1 songbook.

A Song for All Seasons is a celebratory collection that can be enjoyed year-round by late beginners. Each season includes an arrangement of one of Vivaldi’s concertos from “The Four Seasons,” followed by two original season-specific solos composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

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

The Magical Unicorn, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is an elegant waltz for late beginners. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales songbook.

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

The Gentle Giant, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is an easy and elegant lyrical solo for late beginners. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales Volume Two songbook.

My Way Blues, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a bluesy showcase solo in 6/8 time that your late beginners will love to play! This piece is part of the Easy Cool Cats songbook.

Lucky, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a smooth jazzy solo for late beginners that serves as a great introduction to syncopated rhythms. This piece is part of the Easy Cool Cats songbook.

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.

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.