All Aboard!: Early Intermediate Piano Book

Strickland's collection captures the essence of program music without requiring students to wrestle with technical obstacles that distract from the narrative. Each piece invites genuine musical interpretation, allowing young pianists to discover how compositional choices (tempo, dynamics, texture) communicate character and place.

These pieces transport you. One moment you're navigating the honking chaos of city streets; the next you're high above the landscape in a wicker basket watching the horizon shift. Strickland's music has a clarity and charm that makes you want to play through the entire book in one sitting.

Early intermediate pianists ready to move beyond exercise-based repertoire and into pieces that reward musical storytelling. This collection works well for students who respond to vivid imagery and enjoy exploring how music can paint scenes and convey movement.

• Study the title and any descriptive markings before diving into notes. Ask yourself what the music needs to convey: the urgency of city traffic, the steady plod of a mule, the gentle floating sensation of a balloon. Your interpretation of these images will shape phrasing and tempo choices.
• Listen for opportunities to shape the melody through subtle dynamic shifts. Early intermediate pieces often benefit from careful attention to voice leading rather than dramatic contrasts.
• Consider the role of the left hand as more than accompaniment. In descriptive pieces, accompaniment patterns often contribute to the overall picture, so execute rhythmic or textural patterns with intention.

Feature individual pieces from the collection in student recitals, where the evocative titles and accessible technical level make for engaging audience moments. The variety of moods and scenarios means you can select pieces that match each student's technical readiness and musical temperament.

• Reading varied accompaniment patterns and textures
• Shaping melodic lines with dynamic control and phrasing
• Interpreting descriptive and programmatic content through performance choices
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in both hands
• Sustaining musical interest across pieces of moderate length