Ep. 7- Afternoon, Sunset, Midnight: Piano Pieces for Fall by Rebekah Maxner
Fall is in the air, and this week’s episode is all about piano music that captures the colors and moods of the season. I’m featuring three pieces by Canadian composer Rebekah Maxner, whose music is a favorite among piano students and teachers alike. You’ll hear the calm reflection of “Autumn Afternoon,” the simple beauty of “Orange Sunset,” and the jazzy mischief of “Midnight Mind Game.” It’s a short, cozy celebration of autumn through the piano.
Autumn Afternoon by Rebekah Maxner
Orange Sunset by Rebekah Maxner
Midnight Mind Game by Rebekah Maxner
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Ep. 6 – Cool Beans: Jazz, Pop, and Playfulness in Ben Crosland’s Piano Music
This week on the Piano Pedagogy Playlist, I dive into Cool Beans by English composer Ben Crosland — a fresh, pop-inspired collection of 12 graded pieces for early to late intermediate pianists. After years of hearing good things about this collection, I finally bought the digital download of Book One, sat down at the piano, and couldn’t stop playing — I immediately went through the whole book twice!
Cool Beans, Volume 1 - by Ben Crosland
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Ep 5: RCM Celebration Series Spotlight: Three Contemporary Pieces for Intermediate Students
The "Celebration Series" of repertoire books published by the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto have been a longtime favorite source of mine for discovering new pieces by living composers. Updated every seven years, I always find fresh pieces that eventually become old favorites. This week, I highlight three options for intermediate students from the level four, five, and six books- Peter Rudzik’s whimsical Happy Grasshopper, Nkeiru Okoye’s beautifully atmospheric Dusk, and the energetic Running for the Bus by Alexina Louie.
Truly Astounding Animals, by Paul Rudzik
African Sketches, by Nkeiru Okoye
Small Beautiful Things: For Piano, by Alexina Louie
Celebration Series (Sixth Edition) Repertoire 4
Celebration Series (Sixth Edition) Repertoire 5
Celebration Series (Sixth Edition) Repertoire 6
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Ep. 4 : Hang On! Exploring Glenda Austin’s First Jazz Suite
This three-movement work by the prolific Glenda Austin exhibits all of the qualities that make her music so adored and valued- lyricism, expression, excitement, and with a touch of jazz. The Jazz Suite #1 could be a long-term project for an intermediate student, or split up the various movements between students in your studio and have them perform it tag-team style on the next recital.
Sheet Music, digital download here!
Find Ms. Austin on Facebook
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Ep. 3 : Confidence Builders – Getting back on the bench
Students are slowly trickling back into their schools and back into our studios! In an ideal world, our pupils would have all diligently kept up with their piano studies through the summer, but we know that's not always the case.
This week I’m sharing four pieces by Australian composer Daniel McFarlane—fun, impressive-sounding works that are easy to learn and perfect for motivating students who need a quick win at the piano. Easing back into things is a great way to build confidence and set the tone for a fun and productive year.
Eternal Light - Digital Download
Ever Distant - Digital Download
Funk - Digital Download
Loneliness - Digital Download
It's a great time to be a piano teacher! So many resources on the internet... and so much new music being written by contemporary composers for developing students. Join me each Monday when I'll share with you a piece or two from the contemporary repertoire. From beginner level to advanced, from old favorites to new discoveries, you and your students are certain to be inspired by the music featured on the Piano Pedagogy Playlist.
New Zealand