Swing ‘n’ Sway

Swing ’n’ Sway is an upbeat jazzy solo solo for primers and beginners of all ages. While this solo stands alone it also includes a fresh teacher duet part. This piece. part of the Rising Starz Volume 2 songbook, is a great way to introduce early beginners to the concept of swing-style, lilting eighth notes.

Swing ’n’ Sway is an easy swing-style left-handed solo for beginners that includes a jazzy teacher duet. Music by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Stage Left! Volume 2 songbook.

Top Cat Boogie, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a fast 1950s rock-style solo for late beginners. This piece is part of the Easy Cool Cats songbook.

Fright Night! is an easy minor-key trio for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund. Perfect for Halloween or any time of the year when a spooky mood strikes! Includes separated parts and a full conductor’s stacked score for convenience.

Blue Boppin’ Boogie, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a jazzy showcase solo in 12-bar blues form for late beginners. This piece is part of the Colorful Capers songbook.

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.

Broken arm? No problem! Stage Left Volume 2 features 18 engaging left-handed solos with contemporary teacher duets included. This volume is also great for beginners who need more practice with bass clef reading and independent left hand dexterity work. This book contains selections for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Rockin’ the Boat is an upbeat jazzy solo for late-beginning violinists of all ages. Includes a jazzy teacher accompaniment making this a great piece for recitals or other performance opportunities.

Got tech-obsessed students in your studio? Smart Tones is a tantalizing set of ten showcase solos composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien. These tech-themed pieces are ideal for late beginners and up!

Recordings for the Songs I Love to Play Volume 1 songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

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

Songs I Love to Play Volume 1 features fun and motivating solos for late beginners of all ages. Recital-ready arrangements of popular themes and original compositions by Piano Pronto author Jennifer Eklund.

Circling Back is a light and bouncy easy solo with teacher duet composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Let’s Rock is an upbeat rock tune in lead sheet format with structured improvisation. This serves as a great introduction to chart-playing for late beginners of all ages. Music and materials by Jennifer Eklund.

Ready for more pizazz for your beginning level students? Pronto Pizazz Volume 2 features 14 easy solos that explore a variety of genres and tonal centers and all include contemporary teacher duet parts. These engaging showcase style solos help to solidify reading skills, proper phrasing technique, and will surely be a hit at your next recital!

Easy Spotlight Solos features 10 showcase solos in varying styles and tonal centers. These solos are ideal for late beginners of all ages and make great performance pieces for recitals and other events! This book contains selections for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Minor Details is an easy, swing-style solo, designed to reinforce proper phrasing, staccato, legato, and accenting techniques. It’s the “details” that make this showcase solo both fun and functional! Part of the Easy Spotlight Solos songbook.

Recordings for the Stage Left Volume 2 songbook by Jennifer Eklund.