Too Much Sugar Blues

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.

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.

Oh Snap! is a fun, jazz piano solo for early intermediates that incorporates finger snaps throughout. Music written by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Dog Days songbook.

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.

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.

Boogie-Man Blues is a jazzy jaunt in A minor composed by Stacy Fahrion. This swinging showcase solo is ideal for intermediates.

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.

Innuendo is a Latin-flavored jazz piece in a minor key composed by Gary Johnston. The chord symbols are included for those who wish to improvise.

Take It Easy, is a smooth jazz solo composed by Joanne Griffiths full of lush harmonies and a lilting rhythmic flow. This piece is part of the Double Takes songbook that features progressive pairs of jazz, rags, and blues-inspired solos.

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.

Moonlight Nocturne is a haunting intermediate lyrical solo composed by Lisa Shoemaker. This elegant work is ideal for students who love to play with passion and a touch of drama!

Once Upon a Time is a whimsically macabre solo composed by Stacy Fahrion that is part of the songbook of the same title. This eerie showcase piece is ideal for early intermediates and beyond.

Insomniac’s Lullaby is a disturbing lullaby appropriate for Halloween or giving your parents strange nightmares. This whimsically macabre solo, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is ideal for intermediates.

Minor Blues for Two by Stacy Fahrion gives the first pianist an opportunity to improvise over a 12-bar blues progression. If played on a grand piano, the pianist can also mute strings inside the piano for an interesting change of tone color.

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.

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.

Moose on the Loose is a jazzy showcase piano solo by Lisa Frederick. This delightful hard-romping swing solo is an ideal spotlight piece for late-intermediates of all ages.

Composer Ron Levy sets the table with eleven delicious salad courses. Sometimes crunchy, always funky! Chock full of sweet rhythms and savory melodies for intermediates of all ages. You will want your musical menu to begin with a nutritious helping of Jazz Salad!