Jane Smisor Bastien

Broken chords in quarter notes are juggled between the hands. Especially good to teach phrasing.

The left hand leads this melodic march.

Each hand has equal time with full measures of eighth notes running along.

The few accidentals in this spark the intrigue of young students.

Beginning students can easily play this treat since thumbs hover mostly around middle C.

A lovely dance in three-quarter time with the star billing going to the left hand. Brief use of pedal.

The broken chord figures and use of the pedal capture the movement of sailing through the air.

Open fifths and C minor set the midnight scene. Only a few measures require hands playing together.

Changes of register give an extra lift to this spirited piece with a Latin flavor.

Fingers dance in D minor and in tarantella style as they chase ghosts from one octave to another.

The chromaticism of the staccato quarter notes and the changes in dynamics, really create a spooky atmosphere!

C major scales come downhill, and broken chords climb back up.