The Entertainer

The Entertainer, Scott Joplin’s iconic ragtime tune, arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This piece is part of Piano Pronto: Movement 3 and includes a teacher duet part.

Every pianist needs Happy Birthday in their repertoire, and this ragtime version by Chrissy Ricker is a fresh take on the familiar classic! Perfect for early intermediates of all ages.

The Sliding Thumbs Rag, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is an upbeat ragtime-style solo for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Musical Mosaics songbook.

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.

Maple Leaf Rag, composed by Scott Joplin presented in an easily accessible, hand-friendly version arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 2 songbook.

Just a little ditty by Stacy Fahrion about zombies shambling on Old MacDonald’s Farm. Ideal for early intermediates and beyond.

Gabriel Faure’s iconic Pavane arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This is an extended version based on the version from the Piano Pronto: Movement 5 method book.

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.

Falling Leaves is an intermediate level lyrical contemporary solo that is part of the Shades of You and Impressions songbooks. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Cloak & Dagger is a fast and mysterious solo composed by Ryan Chesser. This showcase selection is ideal for early intermediates of all ages.

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

Pineapple Rag, composed by Scott Joplin, arranged for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 2 songbook.

Original Rags, composed by Scott Joplin, is a fun ragtime tune arranged for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 1 songbook.

I Saw Three Ships arranged for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This upbeat, swing-style solo with ragtime flair will be a great fit for holiday performances.

Tappin’ Tango by Jane Tate is an intermediate showcase solo which will have your student ready to dance their fingers on the keyboard! This would be a great addition to a recital or performance.

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.

To a Wild Rose, from Edward MacDowell’s Woodland Sketches, arranged for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This piece of part of the Piano Pronto Movement 4 method book.

New Kid on the Block is a jazz-style showcase solo perfect for early intermediates of all ages. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and is part of the Spotlight Solos Volume 2 and Dog Days Songbooks.