Repertoire Keepers and How to Improvise with Them

 
 
 

Finding repertoire that suits the personality and preferences of students is KEY to keeping them on the bench. I’m figuring that if I’m curious about what repertoire works with other teachers’ students, you may be curious about mine, too.

And so…here’s a list of the repertoire I’m currently teaching in my studio that are student pleasers or what I call “keepers” and ones to repeat year after year.

In this current season of lessons (February 2022), repertoire has been the focus of my lessons as many students are preparing for a local National Federation of Music Clubs Festival. In addition, we are focusing on technique and theory. I’m tracking their progress in technique with a winter sports digital badge board. As a lesson opener, I’m highlighting one musical element each week based on my music element infographic and then we relate that element to their repertoire.

All of this is in preparation for the next season of lessons coming in March where pianists will choose one of their favorite pieces and change it up with Improvisation 88 or I-88 for short.  This resource challenges players to modify one element at a time. For example–I may ask a pianist to modify the melody of a piece by adding repeated notes.

Naming music elements and exploring them within a favorite piece is a safe way to slide improvisation into lessons without pushing pianists out of their comfort zone.

If you’re interested in following the same route that I’ve taken with my students, here’s a list of what to use.

 
 

#1

Music Infographics

With the infographic in hand, review one element each week and make sure to review past elements by asking students to identify and explain them based on their current repertoire. This will help them to develop their music vocabulary.

For example:

What articulations are used in this piece?

Which hand plays the melody?

Your piece is in the key of A, what mode is it in? Major or Minor?

BTW, check out this Instagram post and see how paint strips can explain chords and harmony!

 
 

#2

Gold Medal Challenge Digital Badge Board

This paperless chart keeps track of students’ progress as they master five-finger patterns, scales, and chords in various keys and modes. In essence, they “play their theory.” Understanding theory AT the keys—not just on paper—is essential for improvisation! As I award them a medal for their efforts, students and I enjoy chatting about the latest Olympic events.

 
 

#3

I-88 Freeway to Improvisation

As I mentioned, all this prep in repertoire, theory and technique is gearing up students for the next season of lessons that includes improvisation. To see I-88 in action watch the video below.

 

 

#4

Keepers to Repeat

Pieces marked with an asterisk (*) are newly discovered.

Kristen Allred

  • Bird of Paradise* Jungle Beat

  • I predict that every piece in this book will be a keeper.

Dennis Alexander

Melody Bober

Johann Friderich Burgmueller

  • Arabesque 

  • Ballade

Frederic Chopin

  • Prelude in Bm

  • Polonaise in Gm

Muzio Clementi 

  • Sonatina Op 36 No 6

Claude Debussy

  • Claire De Lune 

  • Dr. Gradus Parnassum

Jennifer Eklund

Carol Klose

Lynda Lybeck Robinson

  • Williwaw

  • To learn more about Lynda listen to Key Ideas Podcast episodes 33-34

Chrissy Ricker 

Catherine Rollin

Cyril Scott

  • A Song From The East Op.54 No.2* The Romantic Spirit Book 1

  • This is an “exotic” and rarely-played piece from the Romantic period.

Wendy Stevens

Repertoire from the National Federation of Music Clubs July 2020-June 2024 Bulletin

I let students listen to all of the options from the appropriate level and these are their choices.

FYI

Links to creative events and competitions

These are terrific opportunities for those students bursting at the seams with creativity and enjoy receiving evaluations and even prizes for their original work.

MusicIN Evaluation Program and Artist Competition

2022 UME Composition Competition

Festival for Creative Pianists

It’s YOUR turn!

We’d all appreciate it if YOU write the title of a KEEPER piece in the comment section. :-)

 
 
 
 
 
 
Leila Viss10 Comments