Soundabout Music Workshops

Here's a piece with dramatic Spanish flair. It is Lamento de España from Piano Olé! Easy to Intermediate Piano Solos (pub. EVC Music). Hands cross over towards the end so a fab piece for show-offs!

Freebee alert: What Ya Gonna Do? is the perfect piece for learning to swing the quavers in jazzy pieces. It's part of the Get Set! Piano series (pub. Collins Music) and is free to download in the resources area of the Get Set! Piano Website. https://collins.co.uk/pages/primary-primary-music-get-set-piano-free-samples You'll find it in the Additional pieces and concert versions booklet (cross reference to p. 39 of Get Set! Piano Tutor book 2). There's lots of other great stuff all free to download here too.

I always wanted to play The Entertainer by Scott Joplin when I was a young pianist. I had to learn the hard, original version as there weren't easy arrangements available at the time. Here's my easy arrangement at grade 1 level though. This one has made it into the new London College of Music Examinations syllabus so it will be a popular choice I'm sure. It's from Get Set Piano Tutor book 2 (pub. Collins Music). https://collins.co.uk/products/9780008767129

Here's a lively one - It's 'Eve's Fiddle' (by Karen Marshall) from Get Set Piano Tutor book 2. It's on the new London College of Music Examinations piano syllabus (grade 1 - choice B7). There's now a 2nd edition available and the book is now supported by a host of downloadable materials including beautiful audio accompaniments and demo tracks. https://collins.co.uk/products/9780008767129

Here's Upon Reflection. It's choice B5 on the new London College of Music Examinations grade 4 piano syllabus. If you like ballads you'll probably love this one! This piece can be found in The Intermediate Pianist Book 2 (pub. Faber Music Publications) Click here to read more about the Intermediate Piano series: https://pianodao.com/2017/09/30/the-intermediate-pianist/

Happy to report that 'Black Cat Swing' has been chosen as a grade 2 option for the London College of Music Examinations Popular Piano Repertoire list. It's one of the first pieces in The Intermediate Pianist book 1 (pub Faber Music Publications). This one is always a firm favourite with my piano students. Read more about the series here: https://pianodao.com/2017/09/30/the-intermediate-pianist/

So... I can finally reveal that two of my pieces appear on the new ABRSM grade 4 piano syllabus. Where The Blackcap Sings (B2 option) appears in the handbook. (Once Upon A Frozen Winter (B12) is still an option too). So here is my performance of Where The Blackcap Sings from More Ballads Without Words (pub. EVC Music). I suspect it could be a popular choice for exam candidates. You can read a review of the book here: https://pianodao.com/2024/10/24/more-ballads-without-words/

Here is Rumba Rhythmique from The Intermediate Pianist Book 3 (pub. Faber). It's on the new London College of Music Popular Piano syllabus for grade 5. It explores some unusual rhythmic patterns and the middle section includes hands over practise for both left and right hands. Definitely one of my favourites from the Intermediate Pianist series. https://www.fabermusic.com/shop/the-intermediate-pianist-book-3-p423927