Falling Leaves

Misty Morning is a Satie-esque, reflective solo composed by Jennifer Eklund. Ideal for early intermediates of all ages, this piece offers a great opportunity to introduce students to the concept of rubato. This piece is part of the Shades of You songbook.

Valse Sentimentale is a pensive lyrical waltz composed by Rick Robertson that is ideal for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Reach for the Stars songbook.

For many people, November is a month for giving thanks. This intermediate piece by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM, is a contemporary rendering of a hymn-like melody. November symbolizes a musical token of gratitude for family and friends who have been with us through good times and bad and with whom we love to spend our time. The ternary form offers an uplifting first section followed by a middle theme of more serious and reflective implication. The middle theme modulates into a return of the first in a new key, representing a triumphant overcoming of life’s struggles with the help of those we hold dear.

Castle in the Clouds is an elegant solo for advancing early intermediates of all ages composed by Jennifer Eklund. This showcase solo is a great way to introduce syncopation and an advanced key signature since the piece requires very few shifts in hand position.

Winter Frost, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lower-intermediate lyrical solo. Its plaintive sound makes it an interesting reflective solo. The melody is primarily in the left hand.

Reassurance, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level lyrical solo. It has a gentle sway in its rhythm, and a memorable melody. It could also be used as worship service music. It was inspired by the self-isolation and “social distancing” of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Reminiscense, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level lyrical solo. It has a haunting melody with a contrasting middle section.

October is an intermediate new age piece by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The constantly moving triplet figures in both hands are meant to evoke the swirling motion of colorful autumn leaves blowing about in the breeze. Rather than centering on a traditional melodic line, October allows students to create a mood or effect by experimenting with dynamic inflection and rubato to vary each performance. Dynamic indications in the score are merely suggestions – performers are meant to make this free-flowing piece their own.

Autumn Reverie, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an elegant minor-key waltz for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries songbook.

Cosmic Mystery, composed by Rick Robertson, is an ambient solo that can also be performed effectively on an electronic keyboard.

Autumn Theme No. 1 from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. Arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Piano Pronto: Movement 5 method book.

Wind Whirls, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level showcase solo. Its passages divided between the hands give it a showy effect, with some interesting harmonies.

Contentment, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lyrical solo for early intermediates with a mature sound. Long pedal effects add to the atmosphere.

Autumn Leaves, composed by Ryan Chesser, is an elegant lyrical solo for early intermediates. This selection is part of the Winds of Change songbook.

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

The Secret is a mysterious, minor-key lyrical solo for early intermediates of all ages by Jennifer Eklund. This elegant piece offers the opportunity for budding musicians to explore nuanced harmonies and work on expressive playing and use of rubato. This piece is part of the Shades of You songbook.

This is a lyrical piano ballad in waltz time for intermediate pianists by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The melody is made almost entirely of ascending and descending pentascales (5-note scales) on white keys. The accompaniment for left hand requires a hand span primarily of melodic octaves with an occasional melodic tenth. The ternary form features a middle section with surprising harmonies and a deceptive cadence. Middle and high school students will find this piece both accessible and rewarding.

Shades of You is a gentle, lyrical solo for early intermediates composed by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of the Shades of You songbook.