Groundhog Day

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

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.

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.

Blue Jay Blues is an easy bluesy solo for beginners composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien that includes lyrics. This piece serves as a great introduction to 12-bar blues, easy position shifts, and swing-style eighth notes.

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.

Winter Sky is a beautiful lyrical showcase piece for the early elementary level student of any age, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. Includes an accompanying teacher duet part and lyrics which can be sung, or used for interpretation.

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!

Midnight Bells Are Ringing, is an easy multi-level solo by Jennifer Eklund for beginners and late beginners of all ages. This piece is a spooky spin on “Frere Jacques” that will delight students during the Halloween season or anytime a minor mood strikes!

Night 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 ties and easy position shifts.

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.

A modern mellow spin on the third movement of the Spring concerto from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This multi-level pack includes four different versions (late beginner through advanced) and provides ample opportunity for developing pianists to work on lyrical artistry and interpretation.

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.

Bring Your “A” Game is an easy minor-key solo for beginners that is part of Jennifer Eklund’s Pronto Pizazz Volume 2 collection. This short study focuses on articulations and easy crossovers, and includes an upbeat teacher accompaniment.

Rockin’ Rocket Ship, is a minor-key beginning level solo with music and lyrics by Jennifer Eklund and Kris Skaletski. This easy showcase includes a teacher duet and is part of the Roadtrip: Space Odyssey.

Holiday Classics Volume 2 is a must-have holiday book for late-beginners offering three different versions of each carol in the same book. Teacher duet parts are available to amp up the fun factor. Music arranged by Jennifer Eklund.

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.

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!