Click one of the buttons below to zoom to the selections in that category or simply scroll down to see and hear everything!
Popular Piano Event: Level 1 (Three Pieces)
Midnight Spy | Popular Piano Solo Level 1
Midnight Spy is an upbeat jazz solo that sets a sneaky tone for late beginner students who love espionage. This is definitely a student favorite in my own studio and is one that will have audiences tapping their toes at the recital!
Click to see and hear Midnight Spy
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Easy to learn patterns in a five-finger position. Great for rote learning!
A good mix of textures: question and answer phrases between the hands on the first page and hands playing at the same time during the climax on the second page.
Primarily features quarter-note and half-note rhythms. This piece is a great way to introduce syncopation to students using easy rhythms they can feel confident with.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Midnight Spy is in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 1 by Brock Chart which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin selections.
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Nothin’ But Sunshine | Popular Piano Solo Level 1
Click to see and hear Nothin' But Sunshine
Nothin’ But Sunshine is a fun and funky hip-hop song written for late beginners. This piece has an easy-to-play, infectious beat that sounds like the radio hits and is sure to have audiences yelling for more!
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Easy to learn patterns in a five-finger position. Great for rote learning!
Primarily features quarter-note and half-note rhythms. This piece is a great way to introduce syncopation to students using easy rhythms they can feel confident with.
Excellent piece to work on steady time especially with the play-along tracks.
Several different articulations in this piece. A good mix of staccatos, and legato phrases
This piece also has a D.C. al Coda which is a great thing to introduc to students.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Nothin’ But Sunshine is in two books: Five-Finger Jazz! Book 1 by Brock Chart and Five-Finger Pop! Book 1 by Brock Chart
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Click to see and hear Keepsake
Keepsake is a soulful, reflective rock ballad written for late beginners. This piece is inspired by the slower rock ballad guitar licks from bands like Smashing Pumpkins and The Eels.
Keepsake | Popular Piano Solo Level 1
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Easy to learn patterns in a five-finger position. Great for rote learning!
Primarily features quarter-note and half-note rhythms. This piece is a great way to introduce syncopation to students using easy rhythms they can feel confident with.
Keepsake is a great piece to practice the damper pedal on
Several different dynamics and expression markings.
This piece also a good piece to work on hand balance and passing a melody between hands.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Keepsake is found in Five-Finger Rock! Book 1 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin selections.
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Popular Piano Event: Level 2 (Four Pieces)
In Dreams | Popular Piano Solo Level 2
In Dreams is a moving, modern jazz ballad written for early intermediate students. The piece hypnotizes as steady eighth-notes move through lush harmonies. The piece features mostly eighth-notes that alternate between the LH and RH creating an easy-to-play song that sounds advanced. It is great for students looking for a challenge and wanting something more modern.
Click to see and hear In Dreams
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Excellent piece to work on damper pedal technique.
The piece is all about using the pedal to move hands up a step or skip. Great for building confidence moving without looking.
Lots of dynamic markings for working on expressive playing.
Puchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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In Dreams is found in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 1 by Brock Chart which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin selections.
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Chicago Blues | Popular Piano Solo Level 2
Chicago Blues is an energetic, straight-ahead swing tune that will excite audiences at your next recital. This piece is written for early intermediate students and is a student favorite in my own studio!
Click to see and hear Chicago Blues
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Easy to learn patterns in a five-finger position. Great for rote learning!
Primarily features quarter-note and half-note rhythms. This piece is a great way to introduce syncopation to students using easy rhythms they can feel confident with.
Good mix of different textures like question and answer between the hands and place where hands play together at the same time.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Chicago Blues is found in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 1 by Brock Chart which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Briar Rose | Popular Piano Solo Level 2
Briar Rose is a slow, soulful, RnB tune written for early intermediate piano students. I love RnB artists like D'Angelo that take the genre to new heights with soulful melodies, rich harmonies, and above all, a groove that you can't help but dance to.
Click to see and hear Briar Rose
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Excellent piece to work on damper pedal technique.
Lots of dynamic markings for working on expressive playing and sudden shifts in volume.
In the climax of the piece there is some octave jumping with the pedal which can be a good thing to practice spatial awareness and larger jumps.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Eye of the Storm is found in Five-Finger Rock! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has three NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Eye of the Storm | Popular Piano Solo Level 2
Eye of the Storm is an early intermediate piano solo that will have the crowd screaming for more at your next piano recital! Soft textures and haunting melodies starts this piece like the calm inside the eye of the storm. Tensions grows as the storm builds in intensity and before you know it, heavy metal drums, screaming guitars and booming bass is added to mix making an exciting piece that is sure to be a studio favorite.
Click to see and hear Eye of the Storm
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Great piece to work on LH basic chords and inversions.
Lots of dynamic markings for working on expressive playing and sudden shifts in volume.
Good piece to work on hand balance as most of the piece is LH accompanying the RH melody.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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For a Moment is found in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 1 by Brock Chart which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Popular Piano Event: Level 3 (Four Pieces)
For a Moment | Popular Piano Solo Level 3
Click to see and hear For a Moment
For A Moment is a fun and soulful gospel tune written for early intermediate students. This piece features a lyrical RH melody with rich LH harmonies (I - IV - VI). It primarily uses quarter notes, dotted half notes and a few eighth-notes. This is a great piece to introduce 3/4 time signatures and work on hand independence.
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Excellent piece to work on damper pedal technique.
The piece is all about using the pedal to move hands up a step or skip. Great for building confidence moving without looking.
Lots of dynamic markings for working on expressive playing.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
-
Briar Rose is found in Five-Finger Pop! Book 1 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Fuego | Popular Piano Solo Level 3
Click to see and hear Fuego
Fuego is a fast and rhythmic Latin jazz piece written for early intermediate students. It features an easy-to-play Montuno at the beginning before switching to a RH melody with LH bass note texture. Fuego primarily uses quarter notes and eighth notes. It is perfect for practicing eighth note subdivision and hand independence.
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Great piece to work on easy eighth-note syncopation and hand independence.
Several articulation markings with lots of staccatos, legato phrases and accents.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Fuego is found in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Highway to Nowhere | Popular Piano Solo Level 3
Click to see and hear Highway to Nowhere
Fuego is a fast and rhythmic Latin jazz piece written for early intermediate students. It features an easy-to-play Montuno at the beginning before switching to a RH melody with LH bass note texture. Fuego primarily uses quarter notes and eighth notes. It is perfect for practicing eighth note subdivision and hand independence.
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Great piece to work on easy eighth-note syncopation and hand independence.
Several articulation markings with lots of staccatos, legato phrases and accents.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
-
Fuego is found in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Only One | Popular Piano Solo Level 3
Only One is an expressive and exciting soft rock song written for early intermediate students. The piece is centered around a steady quarter-note drone in the RH while the melody is played in the LH. Everything changes once the chorus hits and hands play powerful, rhythmic hits together that is a blast to play!
Click to see and hear Only One
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Great piece to work on easy eighth-note syncopation and hand independence.
Several articulation markings with lots of staccatos, legato phrases and accents.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
-
Fuego is found in Five-Finger Jazz! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Popular Piano Event: Level 4 (Four Pieces)
Georgia Peach | Popular Piano Solo Level 4
Georgia Peach is a soulful, bluesy gospel song written for early intermediate students. The piece features a lyrical RH melody and lush LH harmonies. It primarily features eighth-notes and dotted quarter notes. Georgia Peach is written in 6/8 to bring out the triplet feel of the genre. It is a great piece for students looking for a challenge, to practice hand independence and to learn a new time signature.
Click to see and hear Georgia Peach
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Great piece to work on easy eighth-note syncopation and hand independence, especially in the LH
Several articulation markings with lots of staccatos, legato phrases and accents.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Only One is found in Five-Finger Rock! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has three NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Click to see and hear Reggaeton
Reggaeton is an exciting, rhythmic latin pop song written for early intermediate players. It’s a style of music that originates from Cuba and Puerto Rico that emphasizes beat one, the and of two and beat three. This piece features catchy melodies, spicy rhythms and a groove that will captivate audiences on your next recital!
Reggaeton | Popular Piano Solo Level 4
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Great piece to work on eighth-note syncopation and hand independence.
Several articulation markings with lots of staccatos, legato phrases and accents.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Reggaeton is found in Five-Finger Pop! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Click to see and hear Twin Cities
Twin Cities is a cool, easy going RnB tune written for early intermediate students. I love RnB artists like D'Angelo that take the genre to new heights with soulful melodies, rich harmonies, and above all, a groove that you can't help but dance to.
Twin Cities | Popular Piano Solo Level 4
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This piece is great for practicing 6/8 time signatures
Hand balance as the melody features the LH
Several articulation markings with lots of staccatos, legato phrases and accents.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Twin Cities is found in Five-Finger Pop! Book 2 by Brock Chart which has two NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Shadow Dance is one of Brock's first songs he wrote for a student. It's also been played on the Chicago Classical Music Radio and broadcast on the BBC in the MoMA short film, "How to See the First Movies". The piece sounds like a wind-up music box, and is a student favorite in my own studio. The melody explores parallel sixths and playful chromaticism, while the harmonies provide a haunting accompaniment. The left hand takes the lead in measure 21 to the climax in measure 27, before the gradual winding down.
Shadow Dance | Popular Piano Solo Level 4
Click to see and hear Shadow Dance
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This piece is great for practicing 3/4 time signatures
Hand balance
Several dynamic markings and expression markings.
Lots of opportunities to stretch and compress phasing for expressive playing.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks with real Kansas City Jazz Musicians
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Shadow Dance is found in Five-Finger Rock Book 2 by Brock Chart which has three NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Solo Piano Event: Primary Class II
When a Kingfisher Watches the River Flow By | Primary Class II
Kingfishers are excellent hunters and are able to catch fish in one fell swoop. In this piece, a kingfisher is watching a calm river while they wait for prey.
This piece is written for Primary Class II and features flowing, beautiful textures and melodies shared between the hands. Students can also have fun exploring making the piece their own by exploring our “Try This Out” section at the top of each song!
Click to see and hear Kingfisher
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Varying melodic intervals in the RH
Practice sharing a melody between the hands
Several dynamic markings and expression markings.
Accenting notes to bring out the melody
Good practice for first and second endings.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks created by the composer!
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Kingfisher iis found in For the Little Birds which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Solo Piano Event: Primary Class III
When a Finch Hops onto a Pile of Leaves | Primary Class IV
Finches come in various shapes and sizes, and some are popular pets. Many of them are social birds, hanging out in bushes together.
In this piece, students also have the opportunity to change the dynamics of the piece to experiment with portraying different characteristics of finches. This is a student favorite in my own studio and will sound great at your next recital!
Click to see and hear Swallow
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Practice sharing a melody between the hands.
Several dynamics, articulation, and expression markings.
Good mix of textures like hands sharing the melody, call and response phrases, and others with one hand accompanying thd other.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks made by the composer!
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Finch is in For the Little Bird which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Solo Piano Event: Primary Class IV
Swallows are excellent fliers and are able to dart around with ease. They also sometimes make their nests on people’s homes using mud. In this piece, a swallow is resting its wings, sitting on a windowsill.
This is a very unique piece for Primary Class students as it doesn’t have any barlines! Don’t, let that scare you though. It is a gorgeous piece featuring rich harmonies in easy to play intervals, and makes for excellent lessons on why we even need barlines, and how to play expressively.
When a Swallow Sits Silently By The Window | Primary Class III
Click to see and hear Finch
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This piece doesn’t have any barlines!
Excellent piece for counting practice, and discussing why we have barlines
Several dynamic markings and expression markings.
Lots of opportunities to stretch and compress phasing for expressive playing.
Good piece to work rhythms and keeping steady time in a new style.
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks made by the composer!
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Swallow is in For the Little Birds which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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Solo Piano Event: Elementary Class I
When a Warbler Cries from a Park’s Treetop | Elementary Class I
Warblers can migrate very early in springtime, so their songs are one of the first signs that spring is arriving! This piece was one of the first pieces Kai wrote for his students, dating back nearly ten years before For the Little Birds was published.
This is a moving, lyrical piece written for Elementary class students and is sure to be a fast favorite in your studio!
Click to see and hear Warbler
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Hands moving in parallel motion
Hand balance
Several dynamic markings and expression markings.
A few surprise accidentals for reading sharps and flats.
Good piece to introduce legato pedaling into your students playing
Purchase of the book includes access to a Scan and Play student resource page which has:
Two practice tracks and two performance tracks made by the composer!
A performance video (sample is above)
A tutorial video that is like a one on one lesson with the composer!
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Warbler is found in For the Little Birds which has four NFMC 2024-2028 Bulletin Selections.
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