Piano Pedagogy Playlist

Finding jazz pieces that are both musically authentic and technically appropriate for developing pianists can be a challenge. In this episode of The Piano Pedagogy Playlist, I explore Portraits in Jazz by pianist and composer Valerie Capers—a standout collection that brings authentic jazz styles into the intermediate student repertoire. Capers’ collection offers pieces that capture the spirit of ragtime, ballad, bebop, and bossa nova while remaining accessible. And, seriously, there’s one of the loveliest pieces I’ve played in a while, at any level. Sweet Mister Jelly Roll (from Portraits in Jazz) Valerie Capers Late Intermediate Printed Edition Billie’s Song (from Portraits in Jazz) Valerie Capers Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition The Monk (from Portraits in Jazz) Valerie Capers Late Intermediate Printed Edition Bossa Brasilia (from Portraits in Jazz) Valerie Capers Late Intermediate Printed Edition

The Winter Olympic Games are underway, and this week’s Piano Pedagogy Playlist celebrates the spirit of the games with five sport-inspired pieces for elementary and intermediate students. From the energetic triads of Olympiad to the driving rhythms of Slap Shot, and from graceful ice skating to one winter sport you might never expect to hear represented at the piano, today’s selections capture the motion, excitement, and atmosphere of the Winter Games. The episode closes with a bold Olympic Fanfare full of ringing fifths and heroic sounds at the keyboard. Whether your students are avidly watching the games or just love winter-themed music, these pieces are a great way to channel that excitement into practice. Olympiad Margaret Goldston Digital Download Curling Hans-Günter Heumann Digital Download Ice Skating Hans-Günter Heumann Digital Download Slap Shot Susan Griesdale Digital Download Olympic Fanfare Wynn-Anne Rossi Digital Download

Our journey through, A Year in Twelve Keys continues with “February — Winter’s Glaze” by Chris Caine, a brief but atmospheric piece written in the uncompromising key of C-sharp major — seven sharps, shifting meters, and a quietly icy finish. With a major Sunday event on the horizon, the episode then takes a turn toward lighter, more playful territory, featuring three short works by Wynn-Anne Rossi. These early-intermediate pieces offer strong pedagogical value — left-hand melody, Alberti bass patterns, legato pedaling, and lively rhythmic work — all wrapped in music full of youthful energy. February – Winter’s Glaze (from A Year in 12 Keys) Chris Cane Digital Download Printed Edition Taking My Master For A Walk (from A Day in the Life of a Dog) Wynn-Anne Rossi Digital Download Printed Edition Faithful Friend (from A Day in the Life of a Dog) Wynn-Anne Rossi Digital Download Printed Edition Morning Frenzy (from A Day in the Life of a Dog) Wynn-Anne Rossi Digital Download Printed Edition

This week on the Piano Pedagogy Playlist, we step into a world shaped by poetry and imagination. The music featured in this episode is inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved collection A Child’s Garden of Verses—poems that take childhood seriously without over-sentimentalizing it. That same spirit can be found in the piano music of composer Chee-Hwa Tan, whose works capture the feelings behind the poetry. Join me as I perform five of her pieces, ranging from elementary to intermediate level, and discuss their pedagogical value, imagery, and expressive possibilities. These works invite students to engage with imagination— planting musical seeds that can grow over time. The Wind Printed & Digital Versions Land of Nod Printed & Digital Versions Winter Time Printed & Digital Versions The Swing Printed & Digital Versions Windy Nights Printed & Digital Versions

The week features music that offers reassurance, optimism, and a hopeful outlook for the future. I'm playing three pieces by three different composers, ranging from early intermediate through early advanced — each selection offering meaningful musical expression alongside valuable teaching opportunities. • The Rainbow’s Promise by Melody Bober — an expressive intermediate-level piece featuring some fancy cross-hand arpeggios and opportunities for developing melodic voicing in the left hand. • Always Hope by Rick Robertson — a lyrical selection ideal for late elementary or early intermediate students, with a focus on rhythmic flexibility and musical balance. • Chanson d’espoir by Mary Leaf — an early advanced work whose emotional journey from C minor to C major reminds us that hope is sometimes a conscious and determined choice. Together, these pieces remind us how music — and the arts more broadly — can help students make sense of their emotions and express themselves meaningfully. The Rainbow's Promise, by Melody Bober Digital Download Printed Edition Always Hope, by Rick Robertson Digital Download Chanson d'espoir (Song of Hope), by Mary Leaf Digital Download Printed Edition

After weeks of winter-themed repertoire, it’s time for a musical getaway. In this episode of The Piano Pedagogy Playlist, I head for warmer shores with the piano music of composer Martín Cuéllar. You’ll hear three engaging pieces that span late-elementary through late-intermediate levels: the atmospheric Nightfall at Tossa de Mar, the lively and playful Scherzo, and the gentle, reflective The Silent Garden. Whether you’re looking for fresh recital ideas, inspiring teaching pieces, or simply a moment of musical escape from the winter chill, this episode offers a warm and welcoming journey at the piano. Nightfall in Tossa de Mar, by Martín Cuéllar Digital Download Printed Edition Scherzo, by Martín Cuéllar Digital Download Printed Edition The Silent Garden, by Martín Cuéllar Digital Download Printed Edition

This week we start a year-long musical journey with through Chris Caine's "A Year In Twelve Keys". The first selection, "January - New Year" is a musical theatre ballad-without-words. The opening melody seems to speak the words “New Year,” setting a tone that’s calm, thoughtful, and full of possibility. As a bonus, we take a quick romp through Martha Hill Duncan's "Icicles", a piece that a piece that glistens and sparkles, and then melts away almost as quickly as it appeared.” January – New Year, by Chris Caine Digital Download Printed Edition Icicles, by Martha Hill Duncan Digital Download Printed Edition

I’m taking a short, two-week holiday break from the regular podcast format. But I wanted to share with you one lovely Christmas piece by the late Linda Martinez. It’s a thoroughly modern take on The First Noel from her collection “Snowy Days of Christmas”. Thanks for accompanying me on the first twenty episodes of this journey. I’ll look forward to discovering new music with you in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! – Luke The First Noel, by Linda Martinez Digital Download Printed Copy

The Year’s Cadence closes out the regular podcast episodes of 2025 with a moment of musical reflection and quiet anticipation. Framed by the musical idea of a cadence—a place of repose that also hints at what comes next—this episode explores four piano pieces by different composers that mirror the emotional arc of the year’s end. This episode is both a practical repertoire guide and a moment of gratitude—for the steady, patient work teachers do each week and the lasting impact it has on young musicians as they step into a new year. Reflections, by Dennis Alexander Digital Download Remembrance, by Maria Mifsud Digital Download Reminiscence, by Edwin McLean Printed Copy A New Beginning, by Kevin Costley Digital Download

Three pieces this week from the collection Aspects of Blue by Alan Bullard, all at an intermediate level. Blue Sky Digital Download Stately Blue Digital Download Blue River Digital Download This week, we dive into Alan Bullard’s Aspects of Blue—a collection that takes the familiar 12-bar blues chord progression and reimagines it in completely unexpected ways. These aren’t blues pieces, but character pieces that use the form as a creative framework. You’ll hear Blue Sky, Stately Blue, and Blue River: three intermediate-level works that explore calm lyricism, Baroque-inspired elegance, and flowing rhythmic interplay. This ain't the blues, but it is wonderfully imaginative.

Today’s episode highlights four pieces from Winter Dreams, Hans Günter Heumann’s expressive winter collection for late-elementary and early-intermediate pianists. From snowboarding adventures to quiet winter reveries, these works capture the magic and stillness of the season. All pieces are from the collection Winter Dreams by Hans Günter Heumann. Suitable for late-elementary to early-intermediate students. Snowboarding Digital Download Miracles Just Happen Digital Download The Igloo Digital Download Winter Dreams Digital Download

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the US, and I’m celebrating with a trio of original, winter-themed piano pieces that set the seasonal mood. We have Melody Bober’s exhuberent Sleighride Fantasy, Ice Dance by Irish composer Seana Davey, and an accessbile gem of a piece for Ludovico Einaudi fans, Snow Prelude #3. Sleighride Fantasy, by Melody Bober Digital Download Ice Dance, by Seana Davey Digital Download Snow Prelude #3 in C Major, by Ludovico Einaudi Digital Download

This week on The Piano Pedagogy Playlist, we follow the shimmering path of the aurora across four imaginative works—all sharing the same title: “Northern Lights.” Inspired by last week’s unusually widespread auroral displays across North America, we explore how four different composers translate this natural wonder into sound, each through their own musical lens. Four pieces with the same title and the same inspiration— Northern Lights. Northern Lights by Rick Robertson Digital Download Northern Lights by Karen Tanaka Printed Copy Northern Lights by Kevin Olson Digital Download Printed Copy Northern Lights by Wynn-Anne Rossi Digital Download

All of this week’s featured pieces are from the six-volume series, “Grand One Hand Solos for Piano”, by Melody Bober.Lazy Day, for left hand alone – Digital Download (from book 2, Digital Download Printed Copy)Falling Snow, for right hand alone – Digital Download (from book 3, Digital Download Printed Copy)Autumn Wind, for left hand alone – Digital Download (from book 4, Digital Download Printed Copy)Chaconne in e minor, for right hand alone – Digital Download (from book 5, Digital Download Printed Copy)When an injury leaves one hand out of commission, the music doesn’t have to stop. This week, I’m featuring pieces from Melody Bober’s Grand One-Hand Solos for Piano series— music written specifically for a single hand that keeps students progressing even through recovery. (00:00:00) Intro & Welcome (00:03:04) Lazy Day (00:05:33) Falling Snow (00:08:15) Autumn Wind (00:10:30) Chaconne in e minor (00:13:58) Summary & Farewell

Join me as I dive into Little Peppers — a lively and imaginative collection by Australian composer Elissa Milne. I'm playing six short pieces from the collection that may be written for early intermediate students, but are full of rhythmic sophistication, contrasting moods, and vivid character. From jazzy mischief in Shenanigans to the emotional contrasts of Lost and Found, and finally the drive of Deadline leading to the calm of Twilight, each piece shows how much expressive storytelling can fit into a single page of music. Little Peppers - Digital Download Hard Copy Shenanigans - Digital Download Convertible - Digital Download Lost - Digital Download Found - Digital Download Deadline - Digital Download Twilight - Digital Download

The Navajo composer Connor Chee and his Three Navajo Preludes are the subject of this week's episode. Blending traditional Diné (Navajo) melodies with the expressive language of the Western piano, Chee’s music bridges cultures and traditions — transforming ancient chants into thoughtful, modern piano works. We'll reflect on how Chee’s use of the perfect fourth, his chant-like phrasing, and his spiritual symbolism connect listeners to the natural world — between earth and sky. "Three Navajo Preludes" - ⬇️ Digital Download

Featuring solos for late elementary level students (including adults!) from the collection, "Daily Comforts, volume 1" by Wynn-Anne Rossi. Fresh Falling Leaves - Digital Download or Printed Copy Long, Slow Walk - Digital Download or Printed Copy Mystery Book - Digital Download or Printed Copy Chicken Noodle Soup - Digital Download or Printed Copy

This week is all about beginners. I’m featuring student/teacher duets written for the earliest levels of beginning students. But these aren’t your typical uninspiring duets for beginners. Through Giulio Pietropaolo’s Melodic Explorations, we discover that beginning-level piano music can be expressive, engaging, and artistically satisfying for both student and teacher. Featuring duets for beginning level students and their teacher or another advanced student. From the collection, “Melodic Explorations 1“, by Giulio Pietropaolo. Don’t Give Up – Digital Download Growing Up – Digital Download Sad Story – Digital Download Waiting For It – Digital Download

This week, we celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival by exploring the music of An-Lun Huang and his groundbreaking collection A Chinese Festival. Four evocative pieces weave together East and West, tradition and innovation, all under the soft glow of the harvest moon. Featuring selections from the collection A Chinese Festival, by An-Lun Huang. Pastures - Digital Download An Old Castle - Digital Download Mountain - Digital Download Streams of Yang River - Digital Download

Cats take center stage this week as I play three feline focused pieces for late-elementary through intermediate level piano students. The composers are Lisa Donovan Lukas, Chrissy Ricker, and Scaredy Cat. Mischief, swing, and spooky fun— with a little improv mixed in as well. Perfect repertoire picks for October. Black Cat Capers, by Lisa Donovan Lukas - Digital Download Cool Cat Boogie, by Chrissy Ricker Digital Download Scaredy Cat, by Jennifer Eklund (solo piano version) Digital Download