Hoggirl Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Looking for something fun and showy for ds to work on over the summer. He is a classically trained pianist, but we like to keep some fun stuff in the mix. A couple of fun, showy tunes he has played in the past are Jack Fina's "Bumble Boogie," and Calvin Jones's "White Water Chopsticks." Anybody have some comparable suggestions? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 I have no suggestions for you, but I'm incredibly impressed with the son you describe. We have only been doing a few months of piano lessons. I hope my daughter keeps it up. Could you just take him to a music store and let him browse a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 David Lanz's stuff is easy and showy, and new agey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoftwinboys Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 The Star Wars theme...my son played this for a homeschool talent show and it went over very well with all the kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 This is a great book that has flashy performance pieces from all eras. My son is currently working out of the first book (first book graded about 5/6-8 only a few at the lower end, 2nd book higher) http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Applause-Book-Two/3537103 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaPagnato Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I don't know what genre you're thinking of, but if he's open to a Romantic piece, you don't get more challenging or showy than Liszt's Mephisto Waltz I. My son selected that to work on last summer and loved it. Quite a showstopper, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhg Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Sabre Dance is great for that and not too hard. I played it in high school and wasn't classically trained. Should be right up his alley. Challenging and fun. To hear the song (not the piano music), but you'll know what I'm talking about. (I have the music if you end up wanting it I'll give it to you or I can scan a smidge so you can see if its not-hard-enough or too-hard) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 This is a great book that has flashy performance pieces from all eras. My son is currently working out of the first book (first book graded about 5/6-8 only a few at the lower end, 2nd book higher) http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Applause-Book-Two/3537103 We have the 2nd book, but I did pull it out again. Good suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 Sabre Dance is great for that and not too hard. I played it in high school and wasn't classically trained. Should be right up his alley. Challenging and fun. To hear the song (not the piano music), but you'll know what I'm talking about. (I have the music if you end up wanting it I'll give it to you or I can scan a smidge so you can see if its not-hard-enough or too-hard) I will look again. It seemed like it was a bit repetitive??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 (edited) I don't know what genre you're thinking of, but if he's open to a Romantic piece, you don't get more challenging or showy than Liszt's Mephisto Waltz I. My son selected that to work on last summer and loved it. Quite a showstopper, too. I should have said he would prefer something that is NOT of the classical genre but requires classical technique. Does that make sense??? Probably not! :D A BIG arrangement of something that everyone knows. He really likes the boogie woogie type thing, too. As well as rag. But, not straight Joplin, though he has done some of that. I think what he wants is something that isn't predictable, kwim??? Something folks know but arranged in a fun way. I wish I could find sheet music for some of Liberace's arrangements! That "Carmen's Boogie" is awesome! Thanks for the suggestions - please keep them coming! I will check out Sabre Dance and have him look back through that Applause Book 2. He has not played everything in there. We just like to get away from the pure classical in the summer. ETA: Stuff like Dino! LOL! Edited May 30, 2011 by Hoggirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 My ds (13) loves to play William Gillock. He has also been classically trained and has played for 7 years and enjoys some jazz now again. He also likes to play Linus and Lucy and The Pink Panther. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVA Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 What about "The Entertainer"? by Scott Joplin. It was always a favorite and it's so fun to play! I've seen several arrangements over the years in all different playing levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 http://www.jamiecullum.com/music Very challenging. My dd plays most of this album and loves working on his music. She is primarily a guitarist so this is her secondary interest. I could listen to Cullum all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Sabre Dance is great for that and not too hard. I played it in high school and wasn't classically trained. Should be right up his alley. Challenging and fun. To hear the song (not the piano music), but you'll know what I'm talking about. (I have the music if you end up wanting it I'll give it to you or I can scan a smidge so you can see if its not-hard-enough or too-hard) I hear it at least 10 times a week during hockey season. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I agree! My son's piano teacher has him set to learn three versions of this for summer. He will start with an easier arrangement and then move up to the original. He also recently played another pretty, jazzy piece that was also challenging. The theme song for the Peanuts: Linus and Lucy, by Guaraldi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 http://www.jamiecullum.com/music Very challenging. My dd plays most of this album and loves working on his music. She is primarily a guitarist so this is her secondary interest. I could listen to Cullum all day. Thanks. What is the album title? I followed the link, but I am confused. Sorry! Techno-idiot. Is it solo piano stuff or singing with the piano stuff? Always looking for something new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I am :blushing: as I ask this: What does it mean to be classically trained? My DD takes piano lessons (all 3 kids did at one time but the boys moved on to other instruments) but I am not sure what you mean by classically trained. I have virtually no background in music. I actually wonder what "level" my DD can play at. How can I tell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 Linus and Lucy, Entertainer, etc. That's why it's a challenge to find something new. I did manage to find vintage sheet music for Liberace's version of 12th Street Rag. Woot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I am :blushing: as I ask this: What does it mean to be classically trained? My DD takes piano lessons (all 3 kids did at one time but the boys moved on to other instruments) but I am not sure what you mean by classically trained. I have virtually no background in music. I actually wonder what "level" my DD can play at. How can I tell? Classically trained means that the student generally learns to play classical music with his/her teacher: Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Vivaldi, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Handel... Does your dd's teacher use a specific book series? Usually those kinds of books are leveled. I don't know much about piano levels, but strings have several organizations with levels/exams that list skills for the exams and suggestions for pieces at that level. Why not ask your dd's teacher about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicMama Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I have a degree in piano performance, and this would be my personal choice. Earl Wild's 7 Virtuoso Etudes on Gershwin Songs, including "The man I love", "Embraceable you", "I got Rhthym". Makes my fingers itch... :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhtDSpI_KVs&feature=related If he has a duet partner with chops, The William Tell overture arranged by Gottschalk is SO MUCH FUN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) I have a degree in piano performance, and this would be my personal choice. Earl Wild's 7 Virtuoso Etudes on Gershwin Songs, including "The man I love", "Embraceable you", "I got Rhthym". Makes my fingers itch... :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhtDSpI_KVs&feature=related If he has a duet partner with chops, The William Tell overture arranged by Gottschalk is SO MUCH FUN. Oh, my! These are super! Any idea where I can locate the Etudes? I looked at SheetMusicPlus, but perhaps I should have searched differently??? ETA: Found them at the Earl Wild website. Fifteen bucks a pop! If I could pick two, which two should I pick? I was thinking "Embraceable You" and "Fascintating Rhythm." Edited May 31, 2011 by Hoggirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 http://www.scribd.com/doc/3174840/wildgershwin-seven-virtuoso-etudes I haven't really investigated how this works. From a quick glance, it seems I could download whatever I wanted for 9 dollars a month? Is anything going to the composer? Because it looks like these are still under copyright. (And I'm not sure about the print quality.) And while we're on the topic: http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Composers Lots of scanned and uploaded music that is out of copyright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 my dd is not as advanced as your son, but she loves show tunes, especially ones from Peanuts. (vince guraldi???) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emubird Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 The Faber piano method had a Popular Repertoire book. Some of the later ones were pretty good. They aren't show stopper, virtuoso level, but they're definitely fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Knoll Mom Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm not an experienced pianist, but I like to listen to vkgoeswild on youtube. She She covers metal/classic rock/hair bands and gives away her sheet music on her website http://vkgoeswild.com/ for a donation. Might be something really fun for the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicMama Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Tough call on the scribd.com. I looked at it further and seems to be a place to upload personal documents, not a place like google books, where copywrite expired books are made public. Personally, I would pass, and buy a copy. But the other site posted looks great! Thanks! I wanted to add that gmajormusictheory.org has a nice collection of popular classical student pieces beginning through advanced. Look under free music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 What about "The Entertainer"? by Scott Joplin. It was always a favorite and it's so fun to play! I've seen several arrangements over the years in all different playing levels. http://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=3 :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I thought of Puttin' on the Ritz too ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Copland's "Cat and Mouse"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmeliaBinMO Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Looking for something fun and showy for ds to work on over the summer. He is a classically trained pianist, but we like to keep some fun stuff in the mix. A couple of fun, showy tunes he has played in the past are Jack Fina's "Bumble Boogie," and Calvin Jones's "White Water Chopsticks." Anybody have some comparable suggestions? TIA I'm not familiar with those pieces that you mentioned, but have read other suggestions in this thread -- what would you think of "Golliwogg's Cake Walk" by Claude Debussy? It is very fun and showy, with a lot of great dynamics! Edited June 2, 2011 by AmeliaBinMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Copland's "Cat and Mouse"? We were searching together, and he remembered hearing it at a competition, so we did order that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 I thought of Puttin' on the Ritz too ... Comments say that even though this was improvised he has a transcription. That tune is a great suggestion as well. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 http://www.ipallister.webspace.virginmedia.com/ This guy has put up transcriptions of a number of jazz pieces, including that version of Puttin on the Ritz. However, I'm not sure of the copyright implications of these. I couldn't find the transcription that the original artist says he put up (if that was him...) Did anyone find that one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 http://www.ipallister.webspace.virginmedia.com/ This guy has put up transcriptions of a number of jazz pieces, including that version of Puttin on the Ritz. However, I'm not sure of the copyright implications of these. I couldn't find the transcription that the original artist says he put up (if that was him...) Did anyone find that one? I went to his channel and found 3 transcriptions, but not the one for "Puttin' on the Ritz." I will check that link you provided. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Dd is working on Georgiana from Pride and Prejudice. It is lovely. Theme from Exodus is also a nice piano piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooblink Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Malaguena, by Ernesto Lecuona. It's challenging, but also has a lot of repetition so it sounds much harder than it really is. It's flamboyant and a whole lot of fun to play. Edited June 1, 2011 by Gooblink Misspelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Malaguena, by Ernesto Lecuona. It's challenging, but also has a lot of repetition so it sounds much harder than it really is. It's flamboyant and a whole lot of fun to play. I ordered this one, too! Thanks for the suggestion! The knowledge base on these boards absolutely amazes me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Classically trained means that the student generally learns to play classical music with his/her teacher: Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Vivaldi, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Handel... Does your dd's teacher use a specific book series? Usually those kinds of books are leveled. I don't know much about piano levels, but strings have several organizations with levels/exams that list skills for the exams and suggestions for pieces at that level. Why not ask your dd's teacher about it? Thanks! It was nice of you to answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emubird Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I have virtually no background in music. I actually wonder what "level" my DD can play at. How can I tell? This syllabus might be useful for figuring out what level a student is at: http://theachievementprogram.org/sites/default/files/files/PianoSyllabus_online.pdf Just search for whatever they're working on now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 This syllabus might be useful for figuring out what level a student is at:http://theachievementprogram.org/sites/default/files/files/PianoSyllabus_online.pdf Just search for whatever they're working on now. Thank you! The only classical piece DD has worked on is Fur Elise. She actually started it last year(?) at the end of June but never finished it. The funny thing is, I guess DD pulled it out and asked to finish it during her most recent lesson. (I couldn't be at this lesson). DD mostly has done popular music. Her biggest "piece" lately has been a medley of Grease songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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