Shifting meters

An Otherworld Called Sunflowerland is an intermediate-level minimalist solo by Stacy Fahrion. This piece provides many fun rhythmic challenges such as polymeters, two-against-three polyrhythms, and a section with changing meters. Much of the piece sparkles in Mixolydian mode, but the more haunting sections hint at Phrygian Dominant, with an additional flatted 2nd and 6th.

Longing for Spring, composed by Sara Tomlinson, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This piece is part of the Creation Collage songbook.

A Christmas Jazz Fantasy, is a jazzy spin on the holiday favorite “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” This exciting intermediate level solo by Chrissy Ricker will shine brightly at your holiday performance!

Dance Medley from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, including the Russian, Arabian, and Chinese Dances, arranged for intermediates, by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Waiting Is…, composed by Ron Levy, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediate and beyond. This peaceful solo serves as a great exercise for players to explore rubato and lyrical phrasing.

Winds of Change, composed by Ryan Chesser, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates. This selection is part of the Winds of Change songbook.

Imagination is an upbeat, lyrical solo by Sara Tomlinson. The opening features contrary motion between the hands, followed by lyrical and driving sections. If you or your student enjoy music with life and movement, this piece is for you!

Lamentations is suite of solos composed by Joanne Griffiths for intermediate players to explore time signature changes, comparisons between simple and compound time, minimalism, and mostly how to express mood and emotion. Breathe is a peaceful, calming minimalist piece pushing the boundaries of 3/4 time and crossing it with more than a suggestion of 6/8. For Carolyn is an uplifting piece with lilting, contrasting themes, in Rondo form. Finally, Sorrow is an expression of grief, with a “bell tolling” theme throughout. It is also minimalist, centered around A minor and changing from 3 to 4 beats in the bar and covering several octaves of the piano.

The Eternal Spectator by Stacy Fahrion is a haunting late-intermediate solo in D minor. Evoking the introspective elegance of Satie with subtle nods to J.S. Bach, this piece unfolds in 5/8 time signature. Its slowly flowing phrases and melancholic undertones invite deep emotional expression and reflection. The title is a phrase from a short story by the speculative fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin.

First Flower, composed by Ron Levy, is a meditative solo for intermediates, full of lush harmonies and a great exercise to introduce students to shifting meters and rubato. Cover photography from Back Bay, Newport Beach by Ron Levy.

Goldeneyes’ Farewell is a gorgeous impressionistic tribute to ten migrating Goldeneye ducks that Debbie Center photographed in front of her Minnesota lake home. Ideal for intermediate level pianists.

Dance of the Loons, by Debbie Center, was inspired by the wail and tremolo calls of the loons on her northern Minnesota lake. The piano mimics the calls of the loons in this hauntingly beautiful tribute to Minnesota’s state bird. This piece is on Debbie’s CD entitled “In Harmony All Ways.”

Three Eagles’ Spirit, composed by Debbie Center, combines gorgeous harmonies with ambient dissonance, resulting in a hauntingly beautiful solo for intermediates of all ages.

Lika’s Lullaby is a pensive, contemplative lyrical solo composed by Debbie Center. Full of rich harmonies and a lilting melody this piece is ideal for intermediates to work on rubato and expressive playing.

Lucky, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a smooth jazzy solo for late beginners that serves as a great introduction to syncopated rhythms. This piece is part of the Easy Cool Cats songbook.

Chopin Medley features an iconic Etude and Nocturne theme arranged for early intermediates by Jennifer Eklund and is part of Piano Pronto: Movement 3. Includes a teacher duet part.

Summer Stars, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is an enchanting lyrical solo for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries songbook.

Lopsided Waltz is a contemporary solo for early intermediates composed by Ron Levy. This piece is a great introduction to shifting meters and dotted “catch” rhythms.

Twisted, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is fast & flashy showcase solo for early intermediates with shifting meters. This piece is part of the More Musical Mosaics songbook.

Zorro is a lively Spanish-style showcase solo composed by Sara Tomlinson. This early intermediate piece will make for an exciting solo at your next recital!

Shine, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a lyrical pop ballad for intermediates. This piece is part of the Rock On! Volume 2 songbook.

Hangin’ Tough (Taurus) is a fast & flashy showcase solo for intermediates composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This piece is part of the astrology-inspired songbook “Signs of the Time.”

Celebration is an energetic showcase solo composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas that will delight intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Journeys songbook.

Space Waltz, composed by Ron Levy, is a delightful showcase solo for intermediates. This cinematic-style solo will serve as a great performance piece for recitals.