July is a ragtime solo for intermediate pianists composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien.It is ideal study material for those who would enjoy historical rags but need a more manageable arrangement and hand span than those typically offer. There is syncopation throughout all of the three principle melodies with a steady quarter note accompaniment in the left hand for the majority of the piece.
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.
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.
What could possibly be more fun than playing “Gummy Bear Shuffle”? Playing it with a friend! This one begged to be arranged for piano duet, and here it is. Its bouncy rhythms make it fun to listen to, and to play as well. It also could be used as a “non-scary” Halloween piece, or for any performance occasion.
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.
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.
This slightly sinister stride duet by Stacy Fahrion incorporates a few simplified snippets of Chopin’s Etude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2.
Recordings for the Dog Days songbook by Jennifer Eklund.