A New Piece Each Month
I have decided to compose a piano piece each month and make them available here on my website and the excellent My Music Resource. As they arrive, each one will be free until the end of the month, after that available for a small sum. I’m hoping this way I can build up a library of new tunes which can be available straight away and bypass the need to make them into a book, the process of which is lovely but I am clearly not finding the time to do (the next two Fun, Games and Party Pieces are still in draft form since 2017 😬).
November
November’s Tune is a Christmassy one, reminiscent of sleigh bells and church bells which can be played as a duet or solo.
The Primo part is nice and easy, under grade 1 level and includes a simple use of the sustain pedal, only brought up a few times in the piece. Most of the time the pedal is down to recreate the resonance and overtones of bells.
There are two Secondo parts to choose from; one being more straightforward with chords throughout, and another (extra bells) where this part mimics the Primo part in canon like church bells at the end. Take your pick. It depends who is playing this part as the extra bells version is just that little bit more tricky. Fine for a teacher, although you may prefer the more straightforward version anyway.
Sorry for the weird split screen, I couldn’t find another pianist in the short time there was. I may re-record it. I’d love to hear other peoples’ versions too, get in touch here or on facebook.
Download both versions here, free till the end of the month.
October
Here is the latest Brand New Tune: A Piano duet, played entirely on the black keys.
Pearl River is not easy! But it’s a fun challenge, especially with the position change at the end where the melody swaps over to the bass. It could be an enjoyable party piece for two seasoned intermediate players. It is possible to play the second part without the left hand coming over the right but it does mean the right hand remains pleasingly still if you play it this way. Download here.
The working title was ‘River’ but while I was writing it I heard that my friend’s mother had passed away. Her name was Pearl which struck me as such a beautiful name, and made me quite sad to wonder how many Pearls there are left as, in the UK at least, the name seems to be a preserve of the oldest generation. Although I never met her, she left this world while this piece was forming so it’s for her.
September
I’m very excited about Midnight, my Brand New Tune for September.
With the left hand travelling back and forth, being the bass and the melody line, the right hand stays within a small range of notes creating different harmonies.
I think this piece will do well for players who like a minor tune, possibly are playing the first part of Für Elise, working towards being able to play Solfeggietto and longing for Moonlight Sonata 
Pedalling is regular and marked throughout; this tune could be useful for those getting to grips with the pedal. Download here.
August
My piece for August is a sneaky, slightly mischievous piece with swung quavers in a minor key. It made me think of cats stealing out at dusk on mysterious adventures. I’d say the level is around grade 3. I’m realising that since starting the Tune a Month project that this is the level where most of the pieces I am writing sit. It makes me think my next challenge should be to write a piece which sits in each level bracket. Watch this space 😁
Tips for playing Night Paws: use the left hand minims (half notes) to drive the changes in dynamics. Practice the D minor harmonic scale. Download here.
July
This month’s eponymous offering is a bright, optimistic piece playing around with arpeggios between the two hands. I like the economy of this one, what can be created with a couple of chords. I reckon it is in between grades 2 and 3. Download here.
June
June’s tune is a little lilting waltz in the minor key with swung quavers for an easy feel. I guess it’s really an exploration of the different harmonies and textures you can make with one simple tune. I hope you like it! I’d say the difficulty level of this piece is somewhere between grades 2 and 3. There are a few octave spans in the left hand. Get it for free before the end of the month, download here.
May
My offering for May is a breezy little pentatonic tune, to be played with a light touch. I’d say it’s about grade one level, but I have made two versions. As you will hear in the video, the middle section has a syncopated rhythm and octave span as I felt it needed that bit of movement. But if this is too complicated for the level of the student, it works fine as well to keep the left hand simple. I’ve made both versions which will come as a pair. The teacher could always use the more advanced left hand section as a duet part an octave lower. Down load both versions here.
Around the time this tune was composing itself, my daughter and I discovered some little pink piglets in the hedge by the side of the road. A local family who happened to have a big pen recently vacated by two absconding rabbits caught them and gave them a home. It’s a bit of a mystery, no-one has any idea where they came from. I tried to think of other names but once I’d connected the tune with these little pink wigglers it couldn’t be undone!
April
An early intermediate (approx. grades 2 – 3) bluesy piece. With swing quavers, it has a cheery character and is fun to play, especially where the right hand melody goes swooping down into the bass. Download here
March
I’m so pleased with how this one turned out! It is simpler than February’s tune, I’d say early intermediate. Hope you and your students enjoy playing it. Watch out for where the hands cross over
Download here.
February
My first offering is a late intermediate solo piano piece called Sunny Swing, download it here, free till the end of the month. I hope you enjoy it! Try it out and let me know what you think.