Spiderwebs Above Your Bed

Tritone Tarantella is a flashy and dissonant pattern-based tarantella composed by Stacy Fahrion. Ideal for intermediates during Halloween-season or whenever the mood strikes!

While the ragtime genre really did not exist during the California Gold Rush, this collection of evocative ragtime solos by Barbara Becker, offers a musical glimpse into that wild time as San Francisco appeared and then boomed with activity. Picture a gentle dance late at night in a saloon; the joyous hope and the frequent disappointment associated with prospecting for gold; Lola Montez’s moaning about some so-and-so who did her wrong; “Mr. Moneybags” John Sutter preening in the city; and tired miners drowning their sorrows on Saturday night, then shuffling off to bed. These fun pieces fit right in with the period’s expectations of instant wealth, juxtaposed against the back-breaking work, often for little return.

Mystery and uncertainty are just around the corner with this minor key solo by Ryan Chesser. This piece is great for teaching artistic expression and balance between hands. Your moody teenage students will love this expressive showcase solo!

Minuet in Gee! is a light-hearted ragtime spin on Beethoven’s classic Minuet in G. This solo, composed by Ron Levy, is ideal for intermediates of all ages. Cover photo is an original painting entitled “Dancers” by Carol Julien.

Zombie’s Lament is a lyrical showcase solo by Lisa Donovan Lukas for intermediates. Perfect during the Halloween season and beyond!

Roker Park Rag is a jaunty, early intermediate piano solo by British composer Joanne Griffiths. It is a fun character piece with chromaticism, staccato octave jumps, and lots of opportunity for comedic expression.

Sideways Blues is a strange blues by Stacy Fahrion based on an eight-note scale containing these notes: E-F-G-A#-B-C-C#-D-E. Since it’s based only on that scale, most of the chords are not typical blues chords, although it follows a typical 12-bar structure. Students have the option to repeat measures 13-24 and improvise with the right hand over the chords that are already there.

Chromo Rag, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is fast & flashy ragtime solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Musical Mosaics Volume 2 songbook.

Into the Night, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level ambient solo that would be suitable for the Halloween season for students looking for a mature selection. This piece is part of the Souvenirs songbook.

Haunted Reverie, composed by Ron Levy, is a haunting lyrical solo, in the style of Erik Satie, for intermediates and beyond.

A flashy intermediate solo in 7/8 time based on This Old Man composed by Stacy Fahrion.

Too Much Sugar Blues is a lethargic jazzy tune about eating too much candy composed by Stacy Fahrion. This blues showcase solo is ideal for intermediates.

Skedaddle Rag by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level showcase solo in a Ragtime style. It has major “hit potential” as a recital or festival selection.

Shadow Walker, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is a minor-key contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece provides a great opportunity for students to work on concepts like rubato, lyrical phrasing, and flowing left-hand patterns.

Dark Waters, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is a haunting lyrical waltz for early intermediates and up.

Double Takes is a set of seven pairs of Rags and Blues, composed by Joanne Griffiths, and inspired by J.S.Bach’s Preludes and Fugues. Each pair is a study in contrasting styles, mood, rhythm, tempo, articulation, dynamic range and textures.

The collection progresses up the keyboard, through a range of keys beginning on C and ending with B, and covers many pedagogical techniques for an intermediate pianist whilst still remaining engaging and fun.

Who doesn’t love gummy bears? Gummy Bear Shuffle, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a playful shuffle style. Its bouncy rhythms make it fun to listen to and play. It also could be used as a “non-scary” Halloween piece, or for any performance occasion.

Creatures from Beyond is a scintillatingly sinister showcase solo by Lisa Donovan Lukas for intermediates. Perfect during the Halloween season and beyond!