Octave shifts

Festive Frolic, composed by Jenny Walker, is a quirky piece full of fun. Starting and finishing in the upper end of the keyboard, it slowly creeps down until we get just a hint of Jingle Bells together with left-hand chord leaps, which can be played slightly slower. The last part of the piece completes the musical sandwich with a playful ending.

Yeti or Not, Here I Come!, by Rick Robertson, is a late elementary level showcase solo. This piece is especially useful as a “spooky” or “scary” solo for Halloween recitals (it depicts a game of “Hide and Seek” with Bigfoot), but it could be used in any other non-seasonal program.

Up, Up, and Away is an upbeat showcase for primers and beginners of all ages that will get students playing all the way to the top of the keyboard. While this solo stands alone it also includes a contemporary teacher duet part that makes for a lovely recital showcase piece.

Contemplation is an easy lyrical left-handed solo for beginners that includes a lush teacher duet. Music by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Stage Left! Volume 2 songbook.

Flight of the Dragon, by Chrissy Ricker, is a fanciful showcase solo for beginners. This piece is part of the “Creature Features” songbook.

Nightscape is an easy, minor-key, lyrical solo for late beginners of all ages. This showcase piece serves as a great introduction to legato and expressive phrasing techniques. Part of the Easy Spotlight Solos songbook. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Adrift is a pensive lyrical solo full of unique jazz harmonies, but easy enough for beginners and late-beginners. The sophisticated harmonies, and free-floating rubato form using multiple octaves, will make students of all ages feel successful in the early stages of lessons!

Windy Trees is a beautiful lyrical showcase piece for the elementary level student of any age, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. It also has an accompanying teacher duet part and lyrics which can be sung, as well as a play-along track for at-home duet practice.

Morning Sounds is an easy lyrical solo for beginners composed by Sarah Reaser O’Brien that includes lyrics. This piece serves as a great introduction to playing in waltz-time, crossovers, and easy open-fifth position shifts with the left hand.

Make Your Move is a fast showcase solo in A minor for late beginners of all ages. Ideal piece for reinforcing staccato and legato phrasing and easy hand shifts. Part of the Easy Spotlight Solos songbook.

Once in a Blue Moon is an easy minor-key lyrical solo for late-beginners that is part of Jennifer Eklund’s Pronto Pizazz Volume 2 collection. This short study focuses on working in 6/8 time with dotted rhythms, and includes a lush teacher accompaniment.

Enchantment is an easy pattern-based lyrical solo composed by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of the Perfect Patterns songbook.

Stellar, is an elegant, ethereal solo for late beginners composed by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is part of the Perfect Patterns songbook.

Fifth Gear, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a showcase solo for late beginners. This piece is part of the Let’s Quest songbook and selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Highland Dance is a spirited, Celtic-style solo from Chrissy Ricker’s Perfect Patterns songbook. This jovial romp is a fun, patter-based showcase solo for late beginners of all ages.

As the Leaves Come Falling Down is an elegant lyrical solo for late beginners by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This piece is part of the A Song for all Seasons songbook.

Cottage in the Woods, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is an elegant waltz with haunting harmonies for late beginners. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales songbook.

The Frog Prince, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a jovial showcase solo for late beginners and up. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales Volume Two songbook.

Waltz of the Daffodils, composed by Kevin Costley, is an elegant waltz for late beginners. This pattern-based piece would be an ideal recital or festival selection.

Sweet Dreams, composed by Kevin Costley, is an easy lyrical solo for late beginners. This piece serves as a great opportunity for students to work on playing repeated patterns in the left hand, pedaling, and lyrical phrasing.

What a Crazy Day!, composed by Kevin Costley, is an upbeat showcase solo for late beginners. This piece serves as a great opportunity for students to work on playing different articulations in each hand at the same time.

Water Lillies, composed by Kevin Costley, is an easy elegant lyrical solo that will delight late beginners of all ages.

Into the Storm, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a fast and flashy showcase solo for mid- to late-beginners. Quick chromatic patterns and showy hand crossings give this piece virtuosic appeal!

Buried Treasure, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas, is a fast and flashy showcase solo for late beginners. This piece is part of the Fantasies & Fairy Tales songbook.