Very few people haven’t heard this classical Beethoven theme (incredibly, composed after he had lost his hearing). This arrangement combines the marvelously simple stepwise melody with dynamics, a black key crossover, and triumphant harmonic thirds to allow beginner pianists to experience the grandeur of this masterful composer’s music.
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 early level baroque piece is filled with stately call-and-response and lends itself well to interpretation with phrasing, dynamics, and articulations. I have included these interpretations in this edition and frequently use this piece to teach students how to transpose using various pentascales.
* Music is in its original form with minor editorial changes.
Who doesn’t love the thrill of finding that one perfect pumpkin and planning how you’ll carve the best Jack-O-Lantern in your neighborhood? To help new pianists not “fear” a challenging key signature, “Pumpkin Patch” combines a rhythmic staccato feel with a catchy melody and lyrics that remind you of everything fun about visiting the pumpkin patch in autumn.
With flickering eyes like witch hats and a fearsome pointy-toothed grin, Jack-O-Lantern chants his scary song from the front porch steps as All Hallow’s Eve begins. This composition combines bass Left Hand minor melody, black keys, spooky seconds, minor triads, and staccatos to capture the delightfully frightful spirit of the holiday.
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.
As Peer Gynt finds his way into the troll Mountain King’s hall, the energy and excitement build from whispered footsteps to tremendous cacophony. This intermediate level arrangement of a world-famous piece pulls out all the stops as it gradually builds in volume and intensity to a wild and chaotic finish.
Whether they’re raiding your candy bag or tying your shoelaces together, these mischievous little hobgoblins put the “trick” in “trick-or-treat”! You might feel a little hobgoblin coming out in you when you play this delightfully spooky composition.
A studio favorite, this original composition hails from the untamed hills of Scotland where Medieval Scots traveled and fought for their clans. The minor melody bred from Scottish beauty and strength quickly draws the listener in with impressions of adventuring and battling across the lonely landscapes through centuries past.
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.
What’s that sound?! In a haunted house, you never know what might be lurking around the corner about to jump out and petrify you. This composition will have your fingers taking turns tiptoeing, jumping, and shouting with fright.
Like a spider busily spinning its web, the fingers of the right hand chromatically spin their way up and down the keys. The Left Hand accompaniment is simple so that the beginner pianist can focus on fingering and speed in this chromatic composition.
This ethereal minor lullaby heralds the arrival of All Hallow’s Eve. Even very early beginners can play this composition written with single-note melody, stepwise reading, one black key, and one RH crossover at the end.
The all-famous Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah oratorio – countless people have told me they wish they could play this masterpiece! That’s why I’ve arranged this Hallelujah Chorus piano solo – so you can play it at Christmastime for your family, during Easter season, or anytime you feel like shouting, “Hallelujah!”
Every Halloween, all the monsters, skeletons, hags, and more come together for the Spooky Shuffle. This addictively swinging original (a Halloween favorite!) will have your fingers dancing and feet tapping right along with them.
These wide-eyed, spiky-backed creatures cause trouble for machinists, inventors, and the whole modern world. A short composition that’s just right for early beginners, Gremlins introduces eighth notes, accidentals, steps, and skip patterns with directional reading.
Even beginners can entertain! This melody-only arrangement of Joplin’s most well-known rag keeps the performer feeling fun and loose and is just the thing for a first recital piece.
This traditional English carol tells the story of that first Christmas night long ago. This arrangement performs well as a lovely piano solo for a late beginner pianist and helps with pedaling, different rhythms in the left/right hands, and right hand scale fingering.
This arrangement comes in two different versions: one in D Major and one transposed to C Major. The Single-User License is available in either key. The Studio License comes with both versions.
The hypnotic powers of this archetypal vampire will capture the minds of your listeners as you play his portentous waltz. This composition featuring bass Left Hand melody is for any Halloween-loving pianist who wants something fun and easy to learn.
As the monsters, bats, ghouls, and more come out to roam, this composition will get you right in the October spirit. Skips, thirds, and Left Hand/Right Hand unison teach valuable fingering techniques in a fun-spirited way through this song filled with Halloween rhymes for Halloween-times.
Chromatic passages in the right hand feel like a spider spinning its web while supported by ominous three-note chords in the left hand. (Just keep an eye out for those tricky passages that look chromatic but aren’t!)
Who’s the slickest banana peel on the dance floor?! This foot-tappin’, swingin’, original showstopper is ideal for recitals and fun-loving crowds.
From the California Coast to the harbors of Maine, America the Beautiful stands as a symbol of American patriotism. Perfect for the 4th of July (or any day of the year!), this arrangement embodies the patriotic spirit with bold dynamics and full four-note chords that inspire a bright future of freedom and brotherhood.
A spinoff of the classic 12-bar blues, “Tombstone Boos” helps newer pianists swing their way into the Halloween season. A spine-tingling jazzy chord closes out this late beginner number filled with syncopation, swing rhythm, hand movement, and more.
* The Studio License comes with two versions: one with the C minor key signature and one with no key signature (all accidentals). The Single-User License comes with one version that has no key signature (all accidentals). Both versions sound the same when played.