Wistfully, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level lyrical solo. It is written in a “romantic movie” style, and will make a nice brief recital solo, or as a musical interlude in a worship service.
Sad Goodbye, by Rick Robertson, is an early-intermediate level lyrical solo. It was inspired by the loss of his longhair chihuahua Missy, and is dedicated to “Missy, and all of you who have lost fur babies.” It is an effective recital solo, and just might help a sensitive player cope with the loss of a pet.
The Swan, from “Carnival of the Animals,” arranged as an evenly-leveled duet for intermediates by Sandra Zylstra. This piece is part of the Classics for Two duet songbook.
This gentle, ambient piece will help ease pianists into playing in 5/4 time signature. It features broken fifths in the left hand that only happen on black keys, with a repeating chord progression of I-vi-ii-V in Gb major. The right hand stays in the same hand position throughout, other than leaping up or down by an octave.
Mountain Rainstorm depicts a storm that rushes in quickly and then gracefully recedes into the mountainscape as swiftly as it arrived, something that happens frequently in the afternoons in the Rocky Mountains. This lively post-minimal piece features broken octaves in the left hand that only happen on black keys. It begins in E-flat Dorian and ends in G-flat major. The time signature regularly alternates between two measures of 6/8 with two measures of 7/8, but the composite rhythm between the hands is simply steady eighth notes.
All Is Calm, is an elegant lyrical arrangement featuring “Silent Night,” for intermediates by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of “A Rockin’ Christmas” songbook.
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.
A Spell for Focus, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is in 7/4, and is inspired by Raag Jog from Indian classical music. Pianists can count “1 2 3 4 1 2 3” throughout to help them stay focused. In bars 5-8 and 13-16, pianists are encouraged to improvise using the suggested rhythm and the notes C, E, F, G, and B-flat.
Clair de lune, by Claude Debussy, arranged for early intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund. This version is an ideal starter version for young pianists with smaller hands who want to play all the sections of this iconic piece, but aren’t ready for all the octaves and thick chords from the original.
Hurry Scurry!, by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate level showcase solo in a fast and flashy style. It is inspired by the beloved Arabesque, op. 100 no. 2 by Friedrich Burgmüller. Its passages lie easily under the hands, and is effective in a variety of tempos. This will serve as a wonderful showpiece for a pianist who wants to shine!
Scary Movie, by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate level showcase solo, inspired by the beloved “Ballade” by Burgmüller. In addition to being an excellent seasonal Halloween selection, it will help the young player develop technical skills, all wrapped up in less than a minute of fun!
A meditative ambient solo and improvisation exercise for early intermediates by Stacy Fahrion that will set a relaxed and creative tone before, during, or after lessons.
March of the Scarecrows, composed by Gary Johnston, is an early intermediate level Sousa-style march in 6/8 used by the scarecrows as they set off for work in the corn fields on a bright August day!
Turkey Trot, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bright, jazzy little piece for early intermediates with lots of syncopation and a half-time walking bass line.
Harvest Tango, composed by Gary Johnston, is a mysterious and fun dance for early intermediates using the iconic tango rhythm in a minor key. To be danced under the Harvest moon!
Rain is Falling, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate level solo in a flashy Impressionistic style. It is very effective in performance, and its highly-patterned writing is easy to learn, and sounds more difficult than it is.
Sky, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the “Three Sketches in Blue” suite that is included in the Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two songbook.
Changing Tides, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an introspective lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two songbook.
Evening Elegy, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a lyrical gem with a rhapsodic middle section and plenty of room for students to work on lyrical phrasing and rubato. This intermediate level solo is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two songbook.
Morning Mediation, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an elegant and peaceful solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two songbook.
Lazy Sunday Blues, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a Gospel-style showcase solo ideal early intermediates. This piece is part of the Cool Cats songbook.
Celtic Sunrise, composed by Gary Johnston, is a lyrical waltz for early intermediates invoking Celtic harmonies and dotted rhythms. As the sun rises above the Emerald Isle the dew on the grass sparkles while the fairies dance to greet the dawn.
Summer Roses is a lyrical piano solo for early intermediates based largely on a melodic sequence composed by Gary Johnston. The tightly closed buds of wild roses coaxed to open in the hot summer sun.
Dream Clouds by Rick Robertson is an early intermediate solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. It is very effective in performance, and its passagework lies easily under the hands, making it sound more difficult than it is.