Double Takes

Minuet in Gee! is a light-hearted ragtime spin on Beethoven’s classic Minuet in G. This solo, composed by Ron Levy, is ideal for intermediates of all ages. Cover photo is an original painting entitled “Dancers” by Carol Julien.

While the ragtime genre really did not exist during the California Gold Rush, this collection of evocative ragtime solos by Barbara Becker, offers a musical glimpse into that wild time as San Francisco appeared and then boomed with activity. Picture a gentle dance late at night in a saloon; the joyous hope and the frequent disappointment associated with prospecting for gold; Lola Montez’s moaning about some so-and-so who did her wrong; “Mr. Moneybags” John Sutter preening in the city; and tired miners drowning their sorrows on Saturday night, then shuffling off to bed. These fun pieces fit right in with the period’s expectations of instant wealth, juxtaposed against the back-breaking work, often for little return.

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.

This fun ragtime piece, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a playful nod to Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” A perfect early intermediate showcase solo for Halloween, or any time of year!

The highly-anticipated follow up in Chrissy Ricker’s Rock On series is here! This collection of nine pop & rock showcase solos will delight intermediates of all ages in your studio.

Rolling Blues, composed by Gary Johnston, is a bluesy early intermediate solo by Gary Johnston featuring triplets, a walking base line, syncopation and room for improvisation using the C blues scale.

The Entertainer, composed by Scott Joplin, presented in an easily accessible, hand-friendly version arranged for early intermediates Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 1 songbook.

Maple Leaf Rag, composed by Scott Joplin presented in an easily accessible, hand-friendly version arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Songs I Love to Play Volume 2 songbook.

New Kid on the Block is a jazz-style showcase solo perfect for early intermediates of all ages. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and is part of the Spotlight Solos Volume 2 and Dog Days Songbooks.

Doggone Blues is a bluesy showcase solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. This piece is ideal for late beginners and early intermediates of all ages!

Grandpa’s Gramophone, composed by Rick Robertson, is an early intermediate ragtime solo that evokes the sound of dance bands of the early 1920s.

Easy Come, Easy Go is an easy ragtime-style jazz solo for late beginners that will reinforce syncopation and swing style eighths. Music by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Spotlight Solos Volume 2 songbook.

Spiderwebs Above Your Bed is a whimsically macabre ragtime solo in D minor by Stacy Fahrion that’s tailor-made for Halloween recitals! The delicate, eerie opening quickly spins into the main spiderweb theme, complete with spine-tingling arpeggios. Perfect for intermediate pianists, this piece isn’t just fun—it’s also a sneaky way to prep students for tackling Joplin’s iconic rags.

Enigma, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a sassy jazz waltz for early intermediates and up. This piece is part of the Cool Cats songbook.

The Sliding Thumbs Rag, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is an upbeat ragtime-style solo for early intermediates. This piece is part of the Musical Mosaics songbook.

Rockin’ the Classics is a collection of ten pop, rock, and jazz inspired arrangements of well-known classical favorites by Chrissy Ricker. These fun and flashy intermediate level solos will excite students of all ages!

A holiday showstopper for early intermediates that is sure to please! This piano solo by Chrissy Ricker blends melodies from “Jingle Bells” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” with toe-tapping boogie flair.

Whip-poor-will Dance is a slow ragtime-style solo written in 1921 by Joe Jordan and featured in Season 2 of the HBO® series “Boardwalk Empire.” This simplified elegant arrangement by Jennifer Eklund is ideal for intermediates of all ages.