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Music for Piano: Beginning & Elementary
Side by Side, Primer ▪ 21 Duets for Student & Teacher ▪Alfred 1032▪
This book is designed to coordinate with Time to Begin, the first book of The Music Tree series, but can be used with any interval-based reading method. Co-authored with Amy Glennon.
The student part of each duet is also effective when played as a solo. The teacher part enhances the sound and completes the mood. The score uses off-staff, partial-staff and grand staff notation. Great choices for a student's first recital.
Titles: Jumbo, Hide and Seek, The Juggler, Rocking Chair, I Like Jazz, Trumpets, Mermaid, This Old Man, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Side by Side, Part 1 ▪ 19 Duets for Student & Teacher ▪Alfred 1033X▪
This book coordinates with The Music Tree, Part 1, but can be used with any method. Co-authored with Amy Glennon. Pieces are written on the grand staff and do not include eighth notes.
Titles: Ancient Procession, Down the Drain, Colors at Night, Wind Chimes, On the Beach, Monet's Garden, Traffic, My Kite, School Bus Boogie, Looby Loo, and When the Saints Go Marching In.
Mysterious Shadows ▪Solo Sheet ▪ Alfred 30581▪
The mysterious sounds and feel of this piece in 4/4 meter are achieved through the use of a variety of minor five-finger patterns, including A minor, G minor and D minor, a non-legato pedal and chromatics. The use of non-legato pedal allows the hands to change octaves easily. Changes in tempo add to the overall mood and offer the opportunity for musical playing.
Side by Side, Part 2A ▪12 Duets for Student & Teacher ▪Alfred 0689▪
This book coordinates with The Music Tree, Part 2A, but can be used with any method. Co-authored with Amy Glennon. Pieces use eighth notes and dotted- quarter notes.
Titles: The Wild West, A Gentle Breeze, Inside the Pyramid, The Matador, Above the Clouds, Homework Blues and All the World is Sleeping.
Carnival ▪Mid-Elementary Solo Collection ▪Carl Fischer PL1016▪
This collection of 11 character pieces is based on the sounds and experiences of day at the carnival. The music uses easily recognized patterns with limited hands-together writing, so the pieces can be learned quickly. For mid- and late elementary students.
Titles: Fun House, Space Walk, The Acrobat, Balloons for Sale, Bumper Cars, Ferris Wheel, Fortune Teller, Pony Ride, Roller Coaster, Worlds Strongest Man, and Time to Go Home.
Autumn Moon ▪ Solo Sheet ▪ ▪Alfred 37593▪
Beginning teens and adults will be attracted to this piece with its gentle, flowing sound. A wide range of the keyboard is used through hand crossings and octave indications. The use of the damper pedal helps make these crossings smooth and seamless. The key of C major and the 4/4 meter aid in quick learning. Slight changes in tempo add to the romantic sound and style of the solo.
Changing Trains ▪Solo Sheet ▪ ▪Alfred 22410▪
The frenzy of a busy train station is depicted through this piece written entirely with intervals of fifths and thirds. In the A section, students are sure to enjoy the catchy rhythmic ostinato that uses blocked intervals. The B section features broken fifths with hand crossings that cover a wide range of the keyboard. The damper pedal helps to create a long, lyrical line. The return of the A section brings this energetic solo to an exciting close. This piece was selected for the Federation Festivals list 2008-2010.
Noche del Gitano ▪Solo Sheet ▪ ▪Alfred 37103▪
“Noche del Gitano" means “Night of the Gypsy” in Spanish. Students will have no trouble conveying the descriptive title through the music of this solo. Written in 3/4 meter and the key of A minor, an energetic tempo lends itself to the mysterious mood of the piece. Blocked fifths in the left hand on the down beat of each measure followed by melodic and rhythmic sequences in the right hand create a sense of urgency. This piece was selected for the Federation Festivals list 2014-2016.
Side by Side, Part 2B ▪Piano Duet▪ ▪ Alfred 0690▪
Eleven original pieces in a variety of styles, plus three folk song arrangements. Written with eighth notes, dotted quarter notes, and simple syncopations, this book coordinates with The Music Tree, Part 2B. Co-authored with Amy Glennon.
Titles: Secret Agent Boogie, One Fine Day, Arabian Night, Main Street Rag, Tango, and When Johnny Comes Marching Home.
Solo Adventure! Book 1 ▪Solo Collection ▪ ▪Carl Fischer PL1018▪
The seven original solos in this collection were composed to give late-elementary students an opportunity to project a musical idea with very focused technical requirements. Each is a two-page solo.
Titles: Dance in D Minor, By the Sea, Sky Watching, On the move, The River, Through a Forest Dark and Nightfall.
Twilight Sky ▪ Solo Sheet ▪ ▪ Alfred 23238▪
Students can paint the colors of the twilight sky through the music of this G-major solo. Melodic and rhythmic repetition will aid in learning and memorizing this piece. The addition of damper pedal creates lush harmonies and frees the hands to move around the keyboard. The sophisticated sound and style might be particularly appealing to teenagers and adults.