Modern Classical

The Book of Spells by Stacy Fahrion is designed to ease intermediate pianists of all ages into improvising in different imaginative ways, using different time signatures, modes, pentatonic scales, odd meters, and occasional 2:3 polyrhythms. Each spell has at least one section where pianists have the opportunity to create their own melodies, using a suggested rhythm to help them get started. Most of the pieces feature an ostinato of some kind in the left hand. Several of these pieces are inspired by the composer’s studies of North Indian ragas. This book is ideal for intermediate pianists who would like to learn to improvise and compose their own music, and is also a source of fresh ideas for students who are already improvising and composing.

La Luna Canta, by Rick Robertson is an intermediate level lyrical solo. The melody, supported by a triplet figuration, suggests another famous “moon” piece and the Schubert Impromptu in G-flat, and both inspired this piece. It is an effective recital selection, and could be used in wedding preludes or even as a church offertory.

Just Fun is a collection of fifteen preparatory level solos by award-winning composer Barbara Becker. These sophisticated, short character pieces are ideal for beginners of all ages and offer the perfect stage to work on articulations, basic phrasing, and dynamics.

Just Fun for Two is a collection of twelve easy solos, many based around simple pentacles, with lush, harmonically innovative duets. This duet collection composed by Barbara Becker will delight students of all ages and jazz up your next recital!

Eleven elegant showcase solos for beginners and late beginners composed by Barbara Becker. These harmonically innovative character pieces will delight students of all ages!

Just Fun is a collection of eleven delightful showcase solos for late-beginners and beyond composed by Barbara Becker. These short character pieces are the perfect way to work on phrasing, articulation, and other important technical elements with students of all ages!

Twelve elegant showcase solos for late beginners and early intermediates composed by Barbara Becker. These harmonically innovative character pieces will delight students of all ages!

A Child’s World for Two is an imaginative collection of eight easy solos with lush teacher duets composed by Barbara Becker. Full of evocative harmonies and a variety of genres, this is a collections that students of all ages will enjoy.

Shape Up is a collection of twelve showcase-style technical studies composed by Jenny Walker. These pieces explore a variety of tonal centers and time signatures and will serve as an important collection for early intermediates and beyond.

Fourteen imaginative piano duets showcasing the church modes for one piano, four hands. Each of the seven modes has two pieces (late elementary/early intermediate and late intermediate/early advanced). Perfect for recitals, group lessons, piano parties, and for involving students who enjoy playing duets. Ideal opportunity to learn about modes and play duets at the same time!

Viva Mexico, composed by Barbara Becker, is a suite of showcase solos for early intermediates and up. These delightful pieces, full of character and lush harmonies will brighten your next recital or festival performance!

All aboard the Orient Express! This collection of imaginative and elegant solos, composed by Barbara Becker, will take your early intermediate students on a sonic tour around the world!

Potpourri is an imaginative collection of ten showcase solos composed by Barbara Becker. Full of evocative harmonies and a variety of genres, this is a songbook intermediates of all ages will enjoy growing with.

The Wellspring suite, composed by Jenny Walker, depicts the journey of a mountain stream, from its humble beginnings high up in the hills of County Down, all the way to its final destination where it flows into the sea. Within them are snippets of Irish style reels, jigs, and songs, resulting in a varied and beautiful collection for intermediates.

Monday’s Child is a suite of seven character pieces, composed by Joanne Griffiths, based on the children’s traditional British fortune-telling poem “Monday’s Child.” It is contemporary in style, particularly influenced by Ludovico Einaudi and Arvo Part. The pieces are mainly light and gentle in mood with meditative patterns, sequences, imitation and repetition at the core and topped with lyrical melodies, portraying the character of each child for that day.

Ebb & Flow is a collection of eleven contemporary solos by British composer, Joanne Griffiths. Intermediates of all ages will enjoy exploring the various genres encapsulated in this collection of ambient solos.

This book presents strategies for learning to play polyrhythms, from the most common ones, such as two against three, up through four against five. It contains rhythm exercises, improvisation suggestions, and thirteen pieces based on polyrhythms. Once you’ve worked with the book, you might develop intense cravings for more polyrhythms, and may even be inspired to compose polyrhythmic pieces of your own.

Scenes from the Theatre, composed by Barbara Becker, is an elegant suite of character pieces for late intermediate pianists that spans a wide variety of genres and will showcase the artistic skills of developing artists.

Feel the energy and pulse of San Francisco with this set of six character pieces by Barbara Becker. Harmonically innovative showcase solos for intermediates of all ages!

Musical Mosaics Volume Two is a collection of ten showcase solos for intermediate and late intermediates composed by Lisa Shoemaker. Covering a wide variety of genres and styles, these make for lovely selections for a recital or festival.

Nuances by Jenny Walker is a collection of ten contemporary lyrical pieces depicting the beautiful things in life and reminiscent of childhood. Gazing up at the clouds, making time for a little play, daydreaming and staring in wonder at nature all provide a welcome diversion from the world’s troubles. They are written for the late-intermediate pianist and contain subtle harmonies and textures.

Mood Swings is an evocative collection of twelve character pieces composed by Jenny Walker. These contemporary solos for late-intermediate and advanced pianists provide a delightful landscape of harmonies and contemporary stylings that span a variety of genres.

In Harmony All Ways features nine ambient, lyrical solos by composer Debbie Center. These soothing piano reflections inspired by Minnesota’s Lake Country will provide enjoyment for intermediate to advanced pianists of all ages.

Sonic Bouquet is collection of lyrically expressive piano solos for the budding intermediates through late advanced pianist. Each piece was written as a musical interpretation of a specific flower and encapsulates my love for music ranging from jazz, classical, and film music. I sincerely hope you enjoy learning and growing, playing these works. - Travis Lohmann