Sheet Music for Students
Twelve Etudes for the Young Artist
A collection of 12 showstopping recital pieces, each written to help students to master specific techniques.
From arpeggios to hand-crossing to leaps and polyphony, these etudes teach a wide variety of fundamental techniques through fun, approachable theming. Have your student swirl their hands around like cotton candy, strum the ‘aeolian lyre,’ and emerge victorious with a daring triumph!
Twelve Showstopping Recital Pieces in One Collection
Twelve Etudes for the Young Artist - Individual Pieces
On an Adventure
An adventurous piano etude for late beginner or early intermediate students. A singable melody floats over fast left hand accompaniment to create a dynamic, fast-moving, yet approachable challenge. Inspired by music from film and video games, this etude takes the student On an Adventure full of learning and fun.
Written for my student Aiden, who loves rolling chords in the left hand.
Cotton Candy Swirl
A flowing, swirly piece inspired by the endless squiggles of cotton candy. Practice arpeggios and hand crossing in this impressive yet engaging piece. The hands are color coded - Pink for Left, Blue for Right - to aid in learning the fun hand-crossing pattern.
Written for my student Maddie, who absolutely loves cotton candy.
The Princely Waltz
A cheerful waltz for a dashing prince, the singable melody floats over a steady left hand pattern to teach both melodic phrasing and medium-sized leaps.
Written for my student Cameron, who was intimidated by large leaps until he learned he was more capable than he knew.
The Hero’s Waltz
A heroic waltz with an epic conclusion, inspired by film and video game music depicting dashing heroes saving the world from great evil.
Written for my student Oliver, who loves video games and dramatic music.
Aeolian Lyre
Inspired by Chopin’s masterful “Aeolian Harp” Etude, Opus 25, No. 1, this piece teaches similar techniques in miniature. The right hand carries a long melody in its upper fingers while both the right hand’s lower fingers and the left hand rustle with dense harmony below. A dramatic, showstopping recital piece.
Written for my student Salvatore, whose fingers fly at the speed of light.
Roundabout Journey
A fun, slightly silly journey from one key to another and then back home again. Excellent for teaching basic chord progressions and playing large, loud chords.
Written for my student Aiden, when he asked for a piece "about dominant chords."
Reflection
A peaceful meditation on beauty and pain, a more emotionally mature work for students who want to express something heartfelt through their playing.
Written for my student Cathy, whose optimism and strength know no bounds.
The Final Showdown
A battle of wits! This etude introduces a variety of different ideas and then combines them for a dramatic finale.
Written for my student Ethan, who improvised the first 4 measures and then asked me to develop them into a full piece.
The Night’s Music
A slow, methodical etude that slides through dissonant harmonies, always tense but never harsh.
Written for my student Ethan, who loves dissonant chords.
A Daring Triumph
A fearsome foe stands before you - endless arpeggios! A dramatic piece for helping right hand arpeggio technique, with a little inspiration from video game music, especially in the victorious finale!
For my student Jarin, slayer of dragons and champion of worlds.
Shadow Dance
A dance with danger, riding the line between light and dark. Fast rolling chords accompanied by a spritely melody and dramatic moments of hand crossing, this etude tests a student's finger dexterity and hand balance.
Written for my student Ryan, who loves fast, dramatic, Minor-mode music.
I TOLD You I Know My Scales!
A fun and theatrical approach to playing scales, this piece involves the student and their teacher arguing over whether or not the student knows their scales. By the time they can play this all the way through, they absolutely will!
Written for my student Maddie, who didn't like scales.
