Description

Ideal for established beginner players at about the Grade 2 level (ABRSM), this quirky piano solo is great fun to play with or without the play-along backing tracks. Although it is written in 4-4 time for simplicity, it has a march-like and almost bluegrass feel (a genre of American roots music). The tempo is 100 bpm, but feels faster due to the eighth note quaver movement in both hands.

There are chromatic moments throughout the piece and for a little challenge in bars 12-13 both hands play a diminished arpeggio movement moving in unison, but playing in minor tenth intervals. Practising diminished chords and arpeggios would be useful preparation for this section.

Phrasing and articulations (especially staccato notes) are important aspects to help shape this piece and give it more 'quirkiness'.

Finally, give your audience a surprise in bars 22-23 with the subito forte (suddenly loud) minim chords and ritenuto (rit.). Just after this is a caesura, a brief break, which is written as two slanted parallel lines. The left hand then sets off a tempo with an echo of the melody to end the piece.

Is There Anybody Out There? comes as a PDF download with the following MP3 audio recordings:

• Performance recording
• Play-along backing track (with drums, upright bass and jazz marimba)
• Slow tempo practice backing (at 80bpm)