Stacy Fahrion

The Book of Spells by Stacy Fahrion is designed to ease intermediate pianists of all ages into improvising in different imaginative ways, using different time signatures, modes, pentatonic scales, odd meters, and occasional 2:3 polyrhythms. Each spell has at least one section where pianists have the opportunity to create their own melodies, using a suggested rhythm to help them get started. Most of the pieces feature an ostinato of some kind in the left hand. Several of these pieces are inspired by the composer’s studies of North Indian ragas. This book is ideal for intermediate pianists who would like to learn to improvise and compose their own music, and is also a source of fresh ideas for students who are already improvising and composing.

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.

Double Trouble is a book of unique duets by Stacy Fahrion. This book gives pianists opportunities to experiment with blues improvisation and extended techniques. It includes showy pieces in odd meters, several wild boogies, a melancholy lyrical waltz, and, of course, a tarantella that has Itsy Bitsy Spider surreptitiously woven into it. Most of the pieces are based in minor keys, modal, or use the double harmonic major scale.

Lullabies for Arachnophobes by Stacy Fahrion is a whimsically macabre collection written in homage of spindly spiders of all shapes and sizes. Rife with quirky rhythms, harmonies, and re-spindled versions of spidery classics, this collection will delight advanced players of all ages.

Once Upon a Whimsically Macabre Time is a collection of intermediate piano solos centered around a theme of macabre stories and characters. In this collection, Stacy Fahrion displays a penchant for minor keys and dance-like rhythms.

These Are Odd Times, by Stacy Fahrion, is a whimsically macabre collection of solos composed in odd meters. Rife with less common meters, shifting time signatures, and intricate contrapuntal textures, this collection provides a rewarding challenge for late-intermediate and advanced pianists.

Whimsy & Wonder features ten delightfully macabre solos for intermediates composed by Stacy Fahrion. These quirky, neoclassical twists on favorite nursery rhymes will delight pianists of all ages who are looking for unique performance pieces.

Tricks & Treats features eleven Halloween-themed showcase solos composed by Stacy Fahrion. Full of quirky harmonies, odd meters, and playful takes on folk melodies, these pieces will be a treat for intermediates of all ages at any time of the year!

A Mostly Minor Christmas, is a quirky late intermediate collection by Stacy Fahrion that contains some familiar carols arranged in unfamiliar ways, such as Deck the Halls, in 7/8, and Mambo All the Way, a minor-key mambo version of Jingle Bells. There are a couple of jazzy tunes with silly lyrics, including Gloomy Old St. Nick, and O Spider Tree. Finally, there are several soaring lyrical carols in mostly minor keys. The only piece in this collection that’s in a major key is a subtly reharmonized version of Silent Night.

Stars in the Sky invites pianists on a shimmering journey through a magical winter landscape, where each note glimmers like starlight on a cold, clear night. This piece in A minor features a delicate three-against-two rhythm, perfect for developing rhythmic independence while creating an ethereal soundscape. Ideal for winter-themed recitals or any occasion where you want to capture the beauty of the night sky, this piece by Stacy Fahrion invites intermediate pianists to explore rhythm and expression in a way that feels as timeless as the stars themselves. The title is a mnemonic phrase for the composite three against two rhythm.

Spiderwebs Above Your Bed is a whimsically macabre ragtime solo in D minor by Stacy Fahrion that’s tailor-made for Halloween recitals! The delicate, eerie opening quickly spins into the main spiderweb theme, complete with spine-tingling arpeggios. Perfect for intermediate pianists, this piece isn’t just fun—it’s also a sneaky way to prep students for tackling Joplin’s iconic rags.

The Eternal Spectator by Stacy Fahrion is a haunting late-intermediate solo in D minor. Evoking the introspective elegance of Satie with subtle nods to J.S. Bach, this piece unfolds in 5/8 time signature. Its slowly flowing phrases and melancholic undertones invite deep emotional expression and reflection. The title is a phrase from a short story by the speculative fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin.

Diabolical Dance is a wild ride through 10/8 time with a relentless 3+2+2+3 groove. This dramatic piece by Stacy Fahrion will give advanced students a chance to highlight their rhythmic skills. Featuring contrapuntal lines culminating in tone clusters, this piece will be a delight when featured in Halloween recitals, or any time your students are looking for a flashy minor-key piece with fun asymmetrical rhythms.

This seemingly innocent little tango by Stacy Fahrion lures you in with its deceptive opening, only to reveal a darkly dramatic middle section. Intermediate pianists will revel in the chance to unleash thick, dissonant chords that build intensity and suspense. Ideal for a Halloween recital or whenever you’re in the mood to stir up some musical drama. This piece is part of the “Once Upon a Time” songbook.

What defines a Halloween piece, other than a piece in a minor key with an eerie title? Inspired by the whimsically macabre words of Edward Gorey, this piece by Stacy Fahrion beckons you into a haunting waltz that defies convention with its 5/8 time signature. It offers rhythmic twists that promise to challenge and enchant late intermediate pianists, turning their practice into a ghostly dance of mystery at the keys. This piece is part of the “These Are Odd Times” songbook.

This exhilarating Toccata by Stacy Fahrion gives advanced pianists an opportunity to showcase their rhythmic skills. A bold hemiola-based theme in 6/8 gives this piece a dancelike rhythmic vitality. Use of the double harmonic major scale makes it sound mysterious and earthy. Ideal for conjuring up drama at Halloween recitals, or any time your students crave a dramatic and rhythmic piece. This piece is part of the “Polyrhythms for Pianists” method book.

Jabberwocky is a playfully galumphing late-intermediate solo in D minor with a lilting swing. Adventurous pianists can even sing the words to the famous nonsense poem by Lewis Carroll whilst they play this whimsical version by Stacy Fahrion.

The original version of this piece is part of the Once Upon a Time songbook.

Mountain Rainstorm depicts a storm that rushes in quickly and then gracefully recedes into the mountainscape as swiftly as it arrived, something that happens frequently in the afternoons in the Rocky Mountains. This lively post-minimal piece features broken octaves in the left hand that only happen on black keys. It begins in E-flat Dorian and ends in G-flat major. The time signature regularly alternates between two measures of 6/8 with two measures of 7/8, but the composite rhythm between the hands is simply steady eighth notes.

This gentle, ambient piece will help ease pianists into playing in 5/4 time signature. It features broken fifths in the left hand that only happen on black keys, with a repeating chord progression of I-vi-ii-V in Gb major. The right hand stays in the same hand position throughout, other than leaping up or down by an octave.

A Spell for Focus, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is in 7/4, and is inspired by Raag Jog from Indian classical music. Pianists can count “1 2 3 4 1 2 3” throughout to help them stay focused. In bars 5-8 and 13-16, pianists are encouraged to improvise using the suggested rhythm and the notes C, E, F, G, and B-flat.

A Spell to Find Balance, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is an intermediate piece in A minor designed to ease pianists into improvising. The left-hand part is a two-bar ostinato, and keeping with the theme of balance, all of the right-hand rhythms are palindromic, the same forwards as they are backwards over two bars. The structure of the piece is also mirror-like.

A meditative ambient solo and improvisation exercise for early intermediates by Stacy Fahrion that will set a relaxed and creative tone before, during, or after lessons.

Stacy Fahrion wrote Nice Tardigrade so that beginner pianists can enjoy playing polyrhythms and playing in Dorian mode. “Nice tardigrade” is a mnemonic phrase like “hot cup of tea” or “not difficult” that may help pianists remember the sound of a three against two polyrhythm. Tardigrades are resilient microscopic creatures that look like tiny bears. They have existed on Earth for about 600 million years.

This mysterious-sounding intermediate-level etude by Stacy Fahrion is ideal for introducing quarter-note triplets to students, and also is a wonderful recital piece. It eases students into playing 2 against 3 and 3 against 2 polyrhythms, and through playing it, students will learn how eighth-note triplets and quarter-note triplets relate. It begins in G Dorian and ends in D minor. Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the sun, but isn’t visible to the eye alone.