SongRealm

Magical Mystical

Track List & Recordings

1. Waterfall


'Waterfall' is a continuously moving, flowing piano solo which is constructed from small, repetitive arpeggio groups, making it easy to learn.

The slow rate of harmonic change makes Waterfall an ideal piece to teach legato pedalling.

A highly popular piece due to its beautiful, flowing and resonant sound and simplicity of construction.

Elementary Level

Pre-preliminary - Preliminary Grade AMEB/ANZCA

Initial Grade - 1st Grade ABRSM



2. Celtic Melody


'Celtic Melody' is a flowing, modal piano solo with an arpeggiated bass and a lilting Celtic melody over the top and provides an ideal opportunity for teaching cantabile and balance between the hands as well as subtly gradated dynamics.

*** The stretches of a 5th in the left hand between the 5th and 2nd fingers mean this piece isn't suitable for very small hands.

Late Elementary Level

1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA

2nd Grade ABRSM




These pieces were written specifically to fulfil the needs of my students - primarily for young people requesting 'something pretty and tinkly' or 'something deep and mysterious', but also to accommodate older students in the early stages of their musical development who want to be able to play something of beauty at their level which is not always easy to resource.

Consequently, the main focus of this collection and much of my teaching music is the creation of beautiful tone. To this end, I consider it vitally important for the teacher to play these pieces - beautifully of course - to the student throughout the learning process while teaching the techniques needed to accomplish an exquisite cantabile, smooth pedalling and sensitive phrasing.

Cantabile, in particular, is a given in all of these pieces, whether marked so or not. 'Celtic Melody' is a good starting point for this, although not for those with small hands. *

In most cases the pedalling is optional. I tend to teach pedalling from very early on so that it quickly becomes a natural part of the student's playing, rather than a complicated technique to be learned at some future stage. I've been fairly conservative here, so feel free to add more pedalling where it seems appropriate.

Sometimes the phrasing is intended to be played very specifically - at other times, it is simply to give the overall shape of the phrases. If unsure, just use your own common sense. At all times, smoothness of melody is the intention, rather than a strict adherence to slurring technique.

Depending on the ability of the pianist, some chords may be connected while for smaller hands and less able students, these should simply be re-struck with the simplest possible fingering. Sometimes I have given alternative fingerings, at other times this is left to the teacher.

And finally, these are pieces to enjoy - my students have enjoyed playing them and I hope yours do too!




*'Celtic Melody' is not suitable for very small hands and care should be taken at all times to rotate the left hand wrist, pivoting on the 2nd finger to keep the wrist loose and flexible.






3. The Deep Dark


'The Deep Dark' is as it sounds - evoking the feel of being in an underground cavern or somewhere else deeply mysterious.

Simple left hand dyads against a lilting triplet melody punctuated with sinister chords and dark crush notes.

Early Intermediate Level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade ABRSM


5. Mountain Stream


'Mountain Stream' is a flowing, evocative piece with a Celtic feel which features crossing over of hands, ringing dyads, arpeggiated chords and subtle dynamics.

Early Intermediate Level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade ABRSM


7. Magical Dreams


'Magical Dreams' is a dreamy, flowing piece with melodic arpeggio patterns and lyrical melodies set against a simple bass of single notes, dyads and arpeggio fragments.

Set in E Major to explore the geography of this key.


Intermediate Level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

4th Grade ABRSM

9. Mystic Journey


'Mystic Journey' evokes an ancient Celtic soundscape, mysterious, atmospheric and ever moving onward.

Features ringing chords, crossing over of hands and dynamic rhythms.

Intermediate Level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA *on current ANZCA Classical Pianoforte Syllabus

4th Grade ABRSM


11. Dragon's Lair


'Dragon's Lair' is a mysterious, atmospheric piece which evokes a dark, subterranean world.

Engaging and popular with young people.


Early Intermediate Level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA *on current ANZCA Classical Pianoforte Syllabus

3rd Grade ABRSM





4. Faerie Frolic


'Faerie Frolic' is a delightfully light piece which trips along merrily.

Upward sweeping phrases provide ideal opportunity to refine phrasing technique.

Late Elementary Level

1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA

2nd Grade ABRSM




6. Forest Moon


'Forest Moon' is a flowing, atmospheric piece with a Celtic feel which features crossing over of hands and harmonic arpeggios.

Early Intermediate Level

2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade ABRSM


8. Blacksmith's Anvil


'Blacksmith's Anvil' is a bright and energetic piece which evokes the ringing of the anvil as it is hammered by the blacksmith in a dark and mysterious underground world.

A highly popular piece due to its exciting sound.

Intermediate Level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA *on current ANZCA Classical Pianoforte Syllabus

4th Grade ABRSM


10. Caitlin's Wedding


'Caitlin's Wedding' evokes a Celtic soundscape, with hints of the dance underlying the overall reverence of the wedding song.

A straightforward left hand comprising mainly dyads against a lyrical treble melody.


Late Elementary Level

1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA

2nd Grade ABRSM


12. Troll


'Troll' is a dark and sinister piece which appeals to all ages. It features fast, triadic passages, chordal slurs and swift triplet runs set against expressive changes of dynamic and register, all opened and closed with deep, strong, left hand notes balanced with sinister crush notes.

A highly popular piece due to its exciting sound.

Intermediate Level

3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA

3rd Grade SCSM *in current Pianoforte Exam Book

4th Grade ABRSM