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Music for Solo Piano
The River at the End of Day
This is the easiest selection of music, written for real beginners. Each piece is just one page long. The first three pieces are limited to only whole notes (semibreves), half notes (minims) and quarter notes (crotchets). The ten pieces explore river-related themes and while the note values are kept pretty simple, there are opportunities to develop playing melodies in the left hand. Only in the last couple of pieces do eighth notes (quavers) appear. So then, this is a collection for real beginners, child or adult. Even my dog can play some of these. Fingerings are provided for all the pieces.
Songs and Dances from Another Time
In terms of technical ability, this collection continues from where "River at the End of Day" finishes. Each piece is one page long. Eighth notes (quavers) appear in all of the twelve piano pieces along with dotted quarter notes (crotchets). Note values smaller than eighth notes are not used. Time signatures are standard and only one piece uses a 6/8 time signature.
The Call of the High Hills
All these pieces are short - none more than one page. The first few pieces in this collection are really quite simple and about the same standard as "Songs and Dances from Another Time". Any student who can manage that suite should have no problems with this one. The last few pieces in the suite are intended as a challenge for the elementary player. These pieces could also be useful as sight-reading material for intermediate players.
Pictures from a Far Country
The pieces in this collection are perhaps the most advanced in this series. Even so, they are all very short - none more than one page. The pieces are more suitable for the intermediate pianist and are about UK Associated Board Grade 3 to 4 standard. The keyboard range is still quite small making the pieces very suitable for the talented younger player.
Music for Piano Duet
Airs from the Island of Light (piano duets)
All musicians recognise the value of playing in an ensemble for it creates additional musical challenges for the players, not least of which is listening to each other. Many young pianists do not get the opportunity to play in an ensemble because they have individial lessons and practise alone. I have always thought that piano teachers should create ensemble opportunies whenever appropriate. This suite is written for beginner pianists to offer the opportunity of playing together. Fingering is provided in nearly all the pieces.
Dances of Atlantis (piano duets)
In terms of technical ability, "Dances of Atlantis" carry on from where "Island of Light" left off. Eighth notes (quavers) appear in all of the twelve piano pieces along with dotted quarter notes (crotchets). Note values smaller than eighth notes are not used.
From the Lake of Dreams
This is a collection of ten very easy pieces for cello (or viola) and piano consisting of a limited range of note-values. The first two pieces use only open strings. As the pieces progress additional fingers are added. There is no need to study these pieces in numerical order. The piano parts have also been kept very simple in the hope that they can be played by another student. There are also MP3 files of the piano accompaniments, so that in the absence of a pianist, the soloist could play along with them. These recorded piano parts could be copied to a CD, which could of course be played on a portable CD player. Much easier than humping a piano around. Click here for viola version
Songs and Dances from Another Time
These are arrangements for cello (or viola) and piano of the suite, Songs and Dances from Another Time, originally written for solo piano. Each piece is one page long. Time signatures are standard. In these new arrangements, the piano parts have also been kept fairly simple and are avalable on MP3 files which can be used as accompaniments if a pianist is not available. Viola version will be here in a short time. Buttons provided by Buttonland
Music for Cello (or Viola) and Piano
