This is the final of three posts highlighting some of my favorite sheet music piano solos for students.
These favorites lists are the result of a year-long focus in my studio, exploring the wide range of sheet music solos in publication. If you would like to read about the 9 things I learned from that project, check out this post.
Since I have quite a few to mention, I decided to divide the list into multiple posts by-level. Today I’ll be sharing favorite pieces at the Early Intermediate, Intermediate, and Late Intermediate levels including the reason I love it and a link where you can purchase.
If you missed the first two posts, here they are:
Favorite Sheet Music Piano Solos for Halloween,
Favorite Elementary-Level Sheet Music Piano Solos
Please note I am an affiliate in the Sheet Music Plus Easy Rebates program which simply means if you purchase any of these pieces using the links I provide, I will get a small percentage back without it costing you any extra.
Early Intermediate
A Melancholy Night by Naoko Ikeda
Why I love it: It uses a waltz accompaniment pattern, warmed with 7th chords, and features a portion with the melody in the left hand.
An Enchanted Castle by Pat Boozer
Why I love it: The left hand is challenged using a single-note accompaniment pattern with a leap of a 10th.
Garden of Dreams by Naoko Ikeda
Why I love it: I would argue that this piece is more Intermediate level as the LH waltz accompaniment in the key of A major changes chord inversions frequently posing quite a challenge for an early intermediate student.
Midnight Express by Christopher Fisher
Why I love it: The Presto tempo and alternating 5th-octave accompaniment patterns make this a great challenge piece.
Moonlight by Lee Galloway
Why I love it: Written in 12/8 time, the left-hand broken chord pattern walks down by half steps and changes harmony each measure.
Nocturne by Paul Sheftel
Why I love it: Once again, the left-hand features an extended broken chord pattern that is great for students at this level.
Snowflakes in Spring by Naoko Ikeda
Why I love it: Various textures and an absolutely beautiful melody. Like many of the pieces by Naoko, I would counter that this piece is slightly more challenging than early intermediate.
Tarantella Viva! by Melody Bober
Why I love it: Vibrant triple-meter piece
Intermediate
A Long Goodbye by Carolyn Miller
Why I love it: This piece feels reflective and calming and is a particularly great choice for an adult student.
Dream Memories by Zach Garcia
Why I love it: The tender and ethereal mood of this piece make it one that is also well-liked by adult students.
El Toro by Mike Springer
Why I love it: Spicy, bold, and energetic. Excellent for practicing accents and change in tempo/mood.
El Zapateado by Dennis Alexander
Why I love it: Students will be challenged with the right-hand ostinato accompaniment using harmonic thirds while the left-hand takes the melody. Multi-textured.
Emerald Toccata by Kathleen Massoud
Why I love it: Excellent for broken chord practice – mostly in root position.
Fur Elise arr. by Jennifer Linn
Why I love it: Many-a piano students want to play Fur Elise long before they’re ready for the original version. This arrangement has been my favorite go-to.
Gypsy Dance by Christos Tsitsaros
Why I love it: It really makes you want to dance and includes a key change from E minor to E Major.
Land of Many Waters by Kevin Costley
Why I love it: It’s very lyrical and balances the melody over a rolling 16th note accompaniment.
Midnight Escapade by Melody Bober
Why I love it: Fast, exciting, patterned and uses a left-hand melody in places.
No Worries by Melody Bober
Why I love it: Humorous, laid-back feeling. It always makes my students smile. Features grace notes throughout.
Rhythm Roulette by Dennis Alexander
Why I love it: Exciting, presto, left-hand melody vs. right-hand staccato 3rds, syncopation.
Romanza by Angela Marshall
Why I love it: Long flowing lines, extended broken-chord pattern accompaniment. Great for adults.
Sunrise Over the Yangtze
Why I love it: Incorporates grace notes and the lowest note on the piano along with a lovely flowing melody.
Tarantella by William Gillock
Why I love it: Students love tarantellas and this one especially!
Toccata Brillante by Dennis Alexander
Why I love it: Fabulous piece – super exciting. Uses 1st inversion chords moving by steps at a presto tempo, syncopation, a left-hand octave ostinato, and shifting meters including cut time, 1/2 and 5/4
Toccatina in A Minor by Ronald Bennett
Why I love it: Fast triple-meter piece that shifts between 6/8 and 3/4 using root position chords.
Wild Ride by Judy East Wells
Why I love it: This exciting piece is great for students learning the i-iv-V progression in Am.
Late Intermediate
Crossroads by Kevin Olson
Why I love it: One of my absolute favorites! This is a really fun song with an almost “epic” feel to it. It’s a great rhythmic challenge for students.
Midnight Rhapsody by Melody Bober
Why I love it: A really exciting piece with a somewhat spooky feel; unique textures and changes throughout.
Moonlight Fantasy by Melody Bober
Why I love it: This bold, rhapsodic piece uses large leaps, chromatic passages, and various textures for a truly exciting “fantasy.”
Rhapsody Brillante by Melody Bober
Why I love it: Moving octaves, large leaps, quickly moving 16ths within a soft dynamic, scale in 3rds.
Sea Winds by Melody Bober
Why I love it: I absolutely love this fast-moving triple meter piece. It has some nice chord progressions, and changing meters.
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