A Leaf Collection, Book 3: Early Intermediate/Intermediate Piano Book

A musical storybook that shifts moods with each page. One moment you're drifting toward distant shores with lyrical simplicity; the next, you're caught up in a piper's energetic footwork. The writing balances accessibility with genuine character, so students hear themselves making real musical choices rather than playing through a textbook.

Intermediate pianists ready to move beyond predictable major and minor tonality, and early intermediate students who respond better to storytelling through music than exercises. This collection works equally well for the practicing student at home or as repertoire for a student recital program.

• Treat the rhythmic character of each piece as your entry point. The waltz lilt of Distant Shores and the driving pulse of The Piper's Jig sit in completely different feels, so spend rehearsal time finding where the weight naturally falls in each one.
• The jazzy syncopation in Secret Mission sits comfortably without sixteenth-note frenzy, making it approachable for students still building rhythmic independence. Layer in the groove gradually during practice rather than chasing speed.
• Use modal passages as an ear-training opportunity. When students encounter the mixolydian flavor, have them sing the scale shape separately so the harmonic character registers before they return to the full piece.

Build a recital around contrasting pieces from this book: pair Distant Shores with The Piper's Jig to showcase the range within a single collection, or use Secret Mission as a lighter, engaging encore. These works also fit naturally into a student showcase focused on exploring different moods and cultural flavors.

• Playing in modes (particularly D mixolydian) and understanding the characteristic sound each mode creates
• Managing meter variety and rhythmic independence within accessible note values
• Interpreting stylistic performance markings and character indications to shape phrase direction
• Building comfort with key signatures and modal harmony beyond I-IV-V progressions
• Developing pedal control through varied textural demands across different pieces