Worried that others wouldn’t take him seriously, Saint-Saëns requested this entire humorous suite be published only after his death. This arrangement of the suite’s finale gives early beginner pianists a taste of how dramatic, crazy, and fun classical music really can be.
A classic arrangement of a German Christmas carol, this rendition of a quiet Christmas night is ideal for sharing the Christmas spirit and story in Christmas recitals, performances, and church settings. This arrangement consists of gently rocking accompaniment, a softly singing melody, and delicate, harmonious chords. A key change warms up the sound for the last radiant verse, building to resplendent, full chords before peacefully echoing the final lines.
This flowing arrangement embraces the medieval sound of this Christmas carol while adding modern elements. The accompaniment feels like traveling on camelback across the desert sands, while the melody builds from a single note strain into grand, ascending chords that reflect the majesty of the three kings bearing gifts to the Christ child.
This arrangement of the popular Nutcracker March is perfect for elementary pianists! Set in C Major to minimize the amount of sharps, this beginner-friendly arrangement celebrates the full opening fanfare and answering singsong rhythms. This is a great choice for a beginner Christmas or classical holiday recital piece.
Go out for a night-time strut, and feel like you own the world! This easy jazz piano piece was written for late beginner to early intermediate level. With syncopation, staccato, a walking bass line, and blues scales, it’s a lot of fun to play (especially during Halloween season) and makes a great choice for a jazz piano recital piece!
This ghostly waltz calls forth an otherworldly chill from your piano keys. Mysterious and slightly sad, this waltz in A minor makes a fine Halloween piece but can easily be enjoyed any time of year. LH melody with RH pulses on beats 2 and 3 of each measure create a beautiful contemporary 2-hand waltz in classical style, supported by expressive dynamics and strategic pedal. Perfect for late beginner to early intermediate level.
Like the mysterious autumn wind, this music whirls and gusts with rubato, sending the colorful fall leaves blowing through the air. It changes directions constantly as it modulates between minor, dorian, lydian, major, and various other keys and modes. Autumn Wind is a uniquely beautiful and expressive fall piano solo for advanced level.
With a calm start that increases in volume and speed, Diminished is an unusually fun beginner waltz. RH and LH take turns playing broken chords in minor and diminished forms, changing octaves and dynamics to add mystery. Beginner pianists will love the fortissimo finish that is “as fast as possible”! This is a great original composition to help students channel their Halloween excitement!
Traditional spiritual tunes have such emotional depth. Give Me Jesus is arranged here with a quiet, peaceful, heartfelt tone. An interlude based on the melody is included, written one octave up to create a lift in sound symbolizing lifting your spirits. This arrangement can be played as an easy piano solo or may be used to accompany a vocal soloist or group.
A classic take on a popular short carol, this arrangement starts with single-note melody and adds accompaniment little by little, building to a fuller sound. It all comes together with a final dramatic molto ritardando, fermata, and octave jumps to finish with a flair.
Enjoy this beginner arrangement of the Passacalle from Boccherini’s Night Music on the Streets of Madrid (La Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid)! This lovely melody is set here in familiar C Major range, with RH melody and simple LH accompaniment. RH melody is almost entirely stepping notes, with eighth notes and a few dotted quarter rhythms, and it plays 8va and forte on the repeat for a new sound without adding significant challenge. LH is easy to follow, with only three unique two-note harmonies (dyads) throughout. No flats or sharps. Great for small hands and beginner piano students who are just getting comfortable with two-hand playing.
Are you searching for a mummy, or is a mummy sneaking after you? This late elementary piano solo is filled with unraveling chromatic passages that are perfect for a spooky Halloween mystery.
Notes, Rhythms, and Symbols included:
A gorgeously flowing arrangement of O Holy Night, perfect for early to mid intermediate level pianists. Set in C Major with beautiful broken chords in Left Hand, this arrangement appeals to all ages and is a lovely choice for a holiday performance.
This joyful arrangement is filled with excitement and energy. Full chords, bold octaves, exuberant dynamics, unique chord choices, and a plethora of musical transitions give this vivacious melody even more life. The brilliance of Handel and Mason is meshed with Tchaikovsky as his famous Nutcracker Russian Dance sneaks in to inspire each key change. With a quick tempo, lively rhythms, and 5 key signatures to cover, this arrangement is an incredible Christmas showcase solo for a religious or holiday performance.
Please note: Sostenuto pedal is recommended (in addition to sustain pedal) for the final 4 measures.
Save $40 and get this and 11 other Christmas piano solos in “A Classic Piano Christmas, Vol. 1”.
This early advanced arrangement of It Came Upon The Midnight Clear is filled with rich RH chords and grand LH arpeggios. The treble lead-in with scale passages and parallel thirds feels like a winter’s night after a fresh snowfall. Full, complex chord harmonies and intricate arpeggios make this arrangement a rewarding challenge both to play and hear. This makes a beautiful Christmas religious service or Holiday performance selection.
Save $40 and get this and 11 other Christmas piano solos in “A Classic Piano Christmas, Vol. 1”.
The beautiful English folk melody “Greensleeves” was immortalized as a Christmas carol by William Chatterton Dix. This arrangement for late intermediate to early advanced piano features a somber sound supported by more minor chords than are commonly used with this melody. The arrangement begins simply and grows in complexity; at its climax, rolled chords and rich harmonies are supported by moving LH arpeggios that eventually transition back to the simpler style of the beginning. It is perfect for a holiday church service or Christmas performance.
Save $40 and get this and 11 other Christmas piano solos in “A Classic Piano Christmas, Vol. 1”.
This arrangement of Yankee Doodle is an early advanced ragtime piano solo. Ragtime music is one of America’s great contributions to the music world, and this American patriotic rag does not disappoint! Perfect for a patriotic performance or summer recital, Yankee Doodle Rag is riddled with ragged rhythms, chromatic play, and classic LH stride piano. Early advanced pianists will love two-stepping with this fun patriotic piano solo.
The famous Can-Can music comes from Offenbach’s opera “Orpheus in the Underworld”, from which the selection “Galop Infernal” was adopted by Paris cabarets for their can-can dances. This intermediate level arrangement contains not only the main theme, but represents the full range of themes from this dramatic opera number. Filled with exciting articulations, bold dynamics, and more, this lively arrangement is the perfect crowd pleaser and performs excellently as a well-known early intermediate piano recital choice.
BONUS: Because the largest harmonic interval is a Major 6th, pianists with small hands can easy play this without sacrificing musicality or altering chords. (LH octaves at the end are optional.)
Brazilian Carnival is a huge festival celebration filled with rhythm, dancing, costumes, and music. Mama Paquita is a well-loved Brazilian folk song that celebrates this song and dance. This arrangement is perfect for helping beginners feel rhythm and beat and learn how to navigate around the piano. Right Hand melody is supported by percussive Left Hand octave jumps that keep the fingers dancing! A great choice for a beginner piano recital piece.
Weigh anchor, me hearties! Set sail for the open sea! This original composition embodies the spirit of adventure, exploration, and of course, pirates! With a sailing 6/8 time signature reminiscent of old sea shanties and a melody that alternates between treble and bass, let’s hope you have your sea legs as this piece is sure to keep you on your toes. Sailing the Seven Seas is a catchy, lively piece that performs well at recitals and is especially written for early intermediate pianists who enjoy adventures and pirate music for piano.
This arrangement of Marche Slave introduces Serbo-Russian and minor sounds to new pianists. The bold, patriotic main theme is featured prominently with compelling dynamics and a climactic finish.
There’s no good morning greeting quite like “Morning Mood” from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite I. This arrangement includes an uncluttered melody with soft thirds and chords in the accompaniment to ease listeners into wakefulness, just like the morning rays.
Pianists of any age can fall in love with this beautiful American folk song. This arrangement for beginner piano flows just like the wide Missouri and is written with ties to help beginner pianists identify their mid-beat entrances. Because the right hand melody travels, the left hand accompaniment remains in a familiar 5-finger hand position for stability.
This traditional Japanese folk song highlights the fragrant pink cherry blossoms that cover the landscape of Japan in spring. This beginner arrangement emphasizes the unique melody with simple accompaniment. Hand movement, dynamics, and other music symbols give it an element of complexity to make it look and sound impressive for recitals and performances.