Boogie, Blues, Jazz, Rags & Rock

By Lois Benson

PRIMER LEVEL

SMC#536270 Teddy Bear Boogie Jane Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of F major, 4/4, with spirit. A simple and cleverly written boogie with thumbs on middle C. Single note melody is shared between hands and the Eb gives it a "bluesy" sound. A fun piece! Expensive! $2.45.

SCM#549089 Hey, Babaloola W. Noona Heritage Music Press
Key of F minor, 4/4, With Bravado, ABA form. Based on the blues scale, the hands stay in the same position throughout this solo. The melody is shared between hands with rhythms of half, quarter, and whole notes. The cool words will make you want to sing the blues! $1.50.

SCM#549088 Walkman Blues W. Noona Heritage Music Press
Key of G major, 4/4, Strut! AABACA form. Hands stay mostly in the same position throughout with the left-hand thumb on C and the right-hand thumb on D. The right hand thumb moves to E in the B theme. The melody, played with a staccato touch, is shared between hands and based on G7 and C7 chords. It will be an easy piece to teach by rote. $1.50.

LEVEL ONE

SMC#522006 Moochie Poochie Blues Noona Heritage Music Press
Key of F minor, 4/4, Andante, ABA form. This blues solo, about a runaway dog, is written in F minor middle position. It uses accidentals and dynamic contrasts. $1.50.

SMC#538184 Rock Solid J. Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Lively. Hands shift as the left hand plays root position I, IV, and V chords that accompany the right hand melody. The flatted third gives it a bluesy sound. $2.45.

SMC#520627 Taco Rock Mier Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderately. Alternate right hand and left hand single tone melodic line. Some two note harmony in right hand. $1.95.

SMC#541101 Summertime Blues M. Lobmeyer Myklas Music Press
Key of C major, 4/4, Lazily. Written in the C 5-finger pattern, a bluesy right hand melody is accompanied by single notes and harmonic 5ths. $1.95.

SMC#509229 Jazz Band Goldston Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of G major, 4/4, Brightly. Words. Single note melody between hands. Some two note accompaniment in R.H. $1.95.

SMC#585443 Ladybug Boogie Mier Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of F major, 4/4, Fast. The hands are in the middle C position throughout the piece. It requires good coordination as one hand plays legato while the other is staccato. This simple syncopation feel gives it toe-tapping appeal $1.95.

LEVEL TWO

SMC#137536 Scat Boogie James Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of G major, 4/4, Fast, ABA form. The LH plays a boogie pattern using I, IV, and V chords. The RH plays a descending line where the 2nd finger crosses over the thumb. Students will enjoy this one! This is in Piano Recital Solos Level 2. $1.95.

SMC#436630 Off Beat Grove CPP/Belwin Inc.
Key of G major. cut time, Bright. This bright, bouncy piece contains eighth notes, ascending and descending 3rds, and finger substitutions. A winner with your students. Teach 2 eighths as dotted eighth and lazy sixteenth note. Not much hands together. Super recital piece! $2.00.

SMC#204187 A Little Piece O' Rock Nevin Willis Music Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderato. A bluesy right hand over a rocky, rhythmic bass. Good technical use of cross-overs. Ends on a C-7th chord with a sharp ninth. $1.50.

LEVEL THREE

SMC#464260 Jazzy Fingers Nevin Willis
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderato. "Cool" good harmonies--looks easier than it is! With the revival of "rag" this might be just the thing for the student who is looking for a real rag-time piano roll beat. $2.00.

SMC#137050 Blue Mood Jane Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of F major, 4/4, slowly. RH single note melody with root position chords in LH. Ends on a F major 7th chord. This is in Favorite Solos Level Three. $.95.

SMC#269904 The Entertainer EZ Joplin/Brimhall Hansen
Key of C major, cut time, Not too fast. No large intervals or octaves! I teach an introduction by rote. $3.50.

SMC#520628 Whistlin' Joe Mier Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderato with a swing (play eighth notes as dotted eighth & sixteenth notes). This easy syncopated rag-time piece has a chromatic RH melody that is accompanied by chords in the LH. $1.95.

SMC#137203 Good Time Boogie James Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of C major, Cut time, Bright boogie beat. The left hand keeps the steady boogie rhythm outlining the I-IV-I-V-IV-I progression. The right hand adds some syncopation to make this a great recital piece. $.95.

SMC#137074 Chasin' the Blues Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of C major. More difficult than it looks. A catchy, fast paced blues requiring rapid hand shifts and a steady pulse throughout. A reach of a 7th is required. Nice blues touch in the closing. Accidents, 7th chords in L.H. play with style. Ends on a C13 #11 D/C7. Note: This is in Recital Solos-Level 3. Excellent recital piece. $1.45.

SMC#394042 Jazz Miniature Nevin CPP/Belwin Inc.
Key of F major, 4/4, moderator. Good technic, coordination. Boogie bass pattern, dotted note rhythms. Last line most difficult. Good for transfer pupil. Excellent recital piece. $2.00.

SMC#463231 Choo Choo Boogie Schaum CPP/Belwin Inc.
Key of C major, 4/4. Use with Bumble Boogie bass. Students like this--it teaches coordination. Excellent recital piece. $2.00.

SMC#137464 Party Rag James Bastien Kjos Music Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderately. An easy rag. RH single note melodic line, LH mostly single notes. Lies easily under the hands. Excellent for small hands. $.75.

Go, Tiger, Go! D.C. Glover CPP/Belwin Inc.
Key of C major, 4/4. 2 pages, a little easier than Choo Choo Boogie. Syncopated RH. Bumble boogie bass on C (no other) open 5th bass. Students will love this boogie woogie solo with its syncopated right hand melody over the driving boogie bass. Interesting ending. F ending over driving boogie bass. $2.00.

LEVEL FOUR

SMC#531605 Miz Tuttle Leach Schaum Pub.
Key of Bb/Eb major, 4/4, Allegretto. This delightful, old-fashioned sounding solo would be a fun addition to a recital. With its jazzy eighth notes and its light texture makes it fun to play. The RH plays melody throughout while the LH provides a steady quarter note rhythm. This solo has a real "soft shoe" feel to it. The right hand eighth notes are played in swing stylewith a simple ragtime bass. $1.25.

SMC#557617 Jazz Hound Rollin Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of G minor, 4/4, Spunky and sniffing out trouble. This jazzy solo is sure to be a winner with your students! The RH plays jazzy eighth notes and triplets over a half note walking bass line. The light texture and use of dynamics makes this a fun recital piece. $1.95.

SMC#393997 Jazz Prelude Nevin CPP/Belwin Inc.
Key of C Major, 4/4 moderato. RH single tone melodic line of dotted eighth note and sixteenth note rhythm pattern, also triplets. LH three and four note chords in a jump bass. Major and minor 6th chords, minor and dominant 7th chords. No octaves. Excellent recital piece. $2.00.

SMC#302995 Topsy Turvy Rag Alexander Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C major, 4/4. Allegro. An easy rag. Good for small hands, no octaves or large stretches. $1.50.

SMC#549461 St. Louis Blues WC Handy/Vincent Willis Music Co.
Key of G major, 4/4, ABA form. Adult. This is based on the 12-bar blues and a walking bass accompanies a syncopated bluesy melody. The contrasting B section is in G minor. No specific tempo is indicated, so this can be played fast or slow, depending on the mood! Play eighth notes as dotted eighths and sixteenths. Three pages. $1.50.

SMC#548467 Rock Ballad Rollin Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of A minor, 4/4, ABA coda. A lyrical RH melody, consisting of harmonics 5ths, is accompanied by a flowing, ascending bass pattern. The contrasting B section is more driving with 2nd inversion triads accompanied by repeated notes in the bass. It's sure to be a favorite! $1.95.

SMC#203869 Blue Mood Gillock Willis Music Co.
Key of C minor, 4/4, moderately slow. Rhythm-a soft-shoe shuffle with an easy syncopated beat. Lies well under the hands. This bluesy piece is useful in teaching syncopation. $1.50.

SMC#204646 Ragtime Rhythm Gay Willis Music Co.
Key of G major, 4/4, with a lively swing. An easy to play rag. Good study of syncopated rhythm (as is the nature of the rags). For fun. Possible recital. Cute! $1.95.

SMC#513072 Ragtime Charlie Mier Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Happily. RH plays syncopation over LH broken chords. An easier rag. Good for teaching chord construction. Three pages. $1.95.

SMC#528159 Moody Blues Rollin Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of D minor, 4/4, slow to moderate tempo, depending on your mood. The right hand has a syncopated melody consisting of triplets over an easy left hand accompaniment. Grace notes add to the bluesy mood.. Rhythms can be challenging and fun to play. Three pages. $1.95.

SMC#581229 Rather Blue Olson Willis Music Co.
Key of G major, cut time, slowly and steadily. Many accidentals. Teen appeal--syncopated and triplet rhythms. An "authentic sound." A pretty broken G 13th chord freely played to end. Small hands, three pages. $1.95.

SMC#514388 Freight Train Blues Jack Butler
Key of F major, 4/4, With a hard driving beat. The RH melody, based on a blues scale, is accompanied by a boogie bass. The diminshed 5ths give it a train whistle sound. Appealing to those who want to play the blues. $1.50.

SMC#544745 Jazzin' Around Mier Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderato. The eighth notes are played in swing style with ascending octaves accompanying the syncopated right hand melody. The rhythms are challenging but fun. $1.95.

SMC#529204 Larkin Street Rag Ellen Myklas Music Press
Key of C major, 4/4, Not too fast. She has written several easy rags which are motivating for the piano student. The steady quarter notes in the LH accompanies the syncopated RH. Three pages. $1.95.

SMC#205222 Pianola Rag Nevin Willis Music Co.
Key of G major, 4/4. Dotted eighth note and and sixteenth rhythm, triplets and syncopation. A nice rag. $1.95.

SMC#516545 Blue Bayou Waltz Rollin Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C major, 3/4 with an easy lilt. Beautiful RH melody and some grace notes. Unusual harmony. Ends on a C7 chord. Excellent for teaching expression. Three pages. $1.95.

SMC#513073 Jazz Cat Rollin Alfred Pub. Co.
Key of C minor, 4/4. Sneaky and slinky. Chromatic quarter note walking bass. RH triplet rhythms. A fun piece! Three pages. $1.95.

SMC#541098 Just an Ordinary Day Wells Myklas Music Press
Key of G major, 4/4. Moderate. The eighth notes are played in a swing style in this jazzy piece. Has nice chord progressions with major and diminished seventh chords. Not easy. Rhythm is "tricky". $1.95.

LEVEL FIVE

SMC#517309 In the Hall of the Boogie King Grieg/Schaum Schaum Pub.
Key of A Minor, 4/4, Allegro, 2 pages. This is a fun solo to play and teach. The theme adapts Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" into a boogie style piece. The added boogie rhythm in the LH makes this peice even more exciting for the intermediate student. It uses lots of dynamic contrasts and the melody is shared between the hands. This is sure to be a favorite among students. $1.25.

LEVEL SIX

SMC#432058 New Orleans Blues Glover
Key of A minor, 4/4, Blues tempo. Technically, this is not a difficult piece, however, the 32nd notes make the rhythm tricky. The stride bass accompanies the bluesy RH melody.

SMC#541178 Blue Velvet Eleanor Hudson Schaum
Key of Bb major, 4/4, Moderato. A ragtime bass accompanies a syncopated RH melody in this solo based on the 12-bar blues. The syncopated, diminished 7th chords provide rhythmic accents, and the walking bass, in 10ths give this a colorful blues sound. Stride bass. A cool piece! $1.25.

SMC#475630 Screen Door Rag Marjorie Burgess
Key of C major, 4/4, Moderato. Written in an easy key, it imitates very closely a Scott Joplin Rag with the octave leaps and syncopated RH rhythm. A fine piece for those interested in easier rags.

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