TimothyBrownMusic.com > Piano Solo Literature > Early Elem. Through Advanced Solo
 

Solo Piano Literature

Early Elementary

Little Red Robin
Based on the traditional English nursery rhyme Little Robin Red-breast, this piece has lyrics to tell the tale of a kitty chasing a robin. Uses 5-note finger patterns to effectively introduce one-, two-, and four-measure phrasing. An interesting teacher accompaniment adds to the story.

Hoppy Toad Hop!
This is a toad with “attitude,” thanks to the catchy, swing-style teacher accompaniment. Written in Middle C position, it is a great piece for reinforcing repeated notes and staccatos (and ribbits!). With fun lyrics to sing as you imagine hopping along.

Tropical Breezes
Lyric by Roybeth Savage

This charming suite of three tropical-themed pieces includes motivating optional teacher duets. The pieces remain in Middle C position, and avoid eighth-note rhythms.

Wind Through the Trees
This gentle lullaby in Middle C position focuses the student on legato playing, steps, and skips. Includes an optional teacher duet.

Elementary

A Day to Play
These playful, spirited pieces are based on Korean folk songs and arranged for the elementary pianist. Includes: The Spotted Cow, The School Bell, and The Mountain Rabbit.

High in the Pine Tree
This elementary piece, which features a more advanced teacher duet, also includes a student part with longer four measure phrases that are gentle and flowing. Lyrics are taken from the nursery rhyme High in the Pine Tree.
Rainbow Song
Students will enjoy the lush, sophisticated sound of this colorful song. Accessibly written, both hands share the melody. Charming lyrics. [Listen to a sample]

Sunshine Suite
This bright, three-movement suite is a delightful choice for the elementary piano student. Featuring lyrical melodies set in a variety of dynamics and phrasings, Sunshine Suite is sure to bring joy to your lessons, recitals, and festivals. The optional teacher duets are sure to please!

Tabby in the Tree
Young students will be charmed by this song about a clever cat and his attempts to play with a red bird in a tree. This Middle C position piece requires right and left hand coordination. Includes a playful teacher accompaniment.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
This tender nighttime piece has sweet lyrics that sing of the Teddy Bear. The four-measure melodic lines use the left hand, sometimes as part of the melody, other times for held-note harmony. There are hand crossings and octave jumps to add interest. A lovely lullaby.
Three Little Kittens
Music written to lyrics based on the Mother Goose poem of the same name, features Middle C position with the LH playing a Bb and measures of staccato for both hands.

 

Late Elementary

All the Pretty Little Horses
Timothy Brown's arrangement of this American traditional children’s lullaby is hauntingly beautiful. There is a minimum of moves, and the optional teacher duet adds just the right touch for a sophisticated ensemble performance.

Pumpkin Dance
This delightful piece will bring a smile to the face of every late-elementary student. The minor sounds (and positions) describe a pumpkin dancing on Halloween with rhythmic energy and just the right amount of articulation.
Starlight Waltz
Timothy Brown’s beautiful left-hand melody includes just the right touch of a blocked interval accompaniment. A lovely dance piece, this solo features a very musical middle section and added pedal for color.

Early Intermediate

By the Brook
This enchanting, lyrical solo is beautifully and simply choreographed for the early intermediate pianist. The expressive left-hand melody gently sets off the rolling eighths in the right hand with every beat, giving the brook its babbling effect. The impressionistic sound will inspire musicianship. Sure to be a student favorite!

The Clock Sonatina
This playful sonatina is written in three movements in contrasting styles. It places an emphasis on various patterned rhythms and precise articulation (imitating the ticking of a clock).

The Evening Star
Inspired by a lovely poem, this piece will develop legato melody playing and connected pedal.

Jumping the Hurdles
With its fast-paced melodic sequences, this composition evokes images of a great race. As your students play it, they will imagine themselves “running and jumping.” Excellent for teaching ABA form, this piece is characterized by its energy and variety. A sure winner!

Legend
Written in the key of A minor, this composition's graceful melody will focus the student on expressive playing and legato phrasing.

My Time Machine
This energetic piece is highlighted by delightful rhythms and accessible 5ths. Open and blocked 5ths move easily in tandem in the A sections and coda, while a singing minor melody in the B section provides an exciting contrast. Sure to be a big hit at recitals!

Mystic Prelude
A stirring composition that calls for an expressive, legato touch. Written in E minor, this haunting prelude features broken chords in 6/8 time.

Once Upon a Time
Features beautiful interaction of melody and harmony, allowing the student to focus on expressive dynamics and phrasing.

Pagodas
This delightfully impressionistic piece has a westernized sound that retains a hint of the East. Its flowing passages are quick to learn and easily accessible. Pairs of eighths alternate between the hands in arpeggiated runs. Sustained whole notes guide the occasional harmonic movement. Enchanting!

Sun Chaser
This composition features an exciting energy that lasts throughout the entire piece. Students will explore complete range of keyboard, a variety of dynamic colorings, and strong syncopated rhythm. Sun Chaser is appropriate for recitals, festivals, and competitions.

Watch Out for the Witch's Cat!
Short and fun to play! The rousing ending makes this piece perfect for Halloween recitals. Features the key of D minor and pentascales in dotted rhythms.

Intermediate

Danza Española
Imagine dancing at a Spanish festival to the fiery rhythms of this piece. The castanets are clicking; the guitars are plucking at a rapid pace. As the melody spins out, syncopations in the right hand add a flamenco effect. This piece falls easily under the hands, so the intermediate pianist can speed along with the varying meter. Fun to learn and to perform!

Melody Cantabile
This beautiful piece features legato pedaling, melody voicing, repeated rhythmic and melodic patterns, and expressive playing.

Romantic Promenade
A passionate, Romantic-style melody accompanied by rich, pleasing harmonies. This beautiful piece is sure to bring out the "artist" in every student.

Russian Soldier's Story
This creative piece will motivate the student to develop his or her own story line - one way to encourage musical interpretation that is personal.

Scherzino
In the tradition of Dmitri Kabalevsky, this solo is filled with fun chordal motifs that sparkle at high speed. Makes for a sensational encore! [Listen to a sample]

Shades of Blue
Contemporary rhythms and harmonies make this a winner with teens! Easy-to-play patterns enhance the ease of learning this piece.

Souvenir of Old Vienna
Featuring C minor, 3/4, sustained left-hand figures and Chopinesque writing, this piece calls for careful listening to balance the lullaby-like melody and the "rocking" accompaniment.

The Wild West
This exciting piece builds drama through energetic staccato fifths and sparkling rhythms that build to a stunning ending.

Valse Caprice
This graceful, lighthearted waltz features lyrical phrasing. Starting in the key of A and modulating to C major, the piece explores a wide dynamic range.

 

Late Intermediate

Andalusian Rhapsody
Enjoy the Spanish flavor and rhythmic vitality of this dramatic rhapsody. As the melody enters and develops throughout, the opening pronouncements recur to heighten the drama. Exhilarating sonorities with an unmistakable Andalusian character, to challenge the late-intermediate student!

Aragonesa
This dramatic "Spanish style" Late Intermediate piece is written in the key of F-sharp minor and played in 3/8 time. Utilizing a wide range of dynamics with rhythm consisting of dotted eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and triplet figures, this exciting piece brings out an array of musical elements and Spanish flare!

Crimson Rhapsody
A dramatic and emotionally-charged composition. Emphasizes balance between melody and accompaniment as well as voicing with one hand.

On Wings of Sound
The lush sound of this dramatic composition will inspire students to play with expression and intensity.

Russian Prelude
Reminiscent of classic Russian style, this dramatic piece is accented with a melodic line amongst its chords. Superb for teaching your students chord versions, this composition is a welcome change of pace to keep their motivation high!

Shadows of Autumn
Written in 6/8 time, this piece begins in the key of E minor with a melancholy lyrical section written mostly in thirds in the right hand. This leads to an E major section in 4/4 time which contains triplets in the right hand, the first note of each triplet being marked by a tenuto to outline the melodic line. The mood of this section is reminiscent of memories of falling leaves. The piece ends with a return to the beginning material. This piece is truly musically and expressively written.

Snow Dance
Snow Dance, a late intermediate/early advanced piece in 2/4 time features a wide variety of sixteenth note rhythmic figures and articulations which offer several benefits to a student's continued technical development. You'll enjoy this interesting and distinctive piece.

Toccatina
This energetic piece features open fifths and pentascale patterns. Highlights a variety of articulations and rhythmic alternations between hands. [Listen to a sample]

 

Early Advanced

Serenade
An impressive solo for recital and adjudication, this rich, expressive composition will improve voicing in the right hand as well as control of rubato.

 

 

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