Clowning Around: Early Intermediate Piano Sheet

Wilburn writes with real understanding of what intermediate pianists can execute and enjoy. The piece balances technical variety (staccato, legato, accidentals) with genuine musical fun, and those forearm glissandos deliver the kind of crowd-pleasing moment that makes students excited to practice and perform.

Clowning Around bounces with playful mischief. The staccato passages feel like a character tiptoeing or stumbling through a scene, while the legato moments offer brief respite. Those signature forearm glissandos arrive like the punchline to a well-told joke, spiraling across the keys with delightful abandon.

Intermediate pianists preparing for festivals, recitals, or auditions will find a piece that sits comfortably in their technical range while offering enough character and surprise to hold an audience. The award recognition signals the quality of the writing without demanding advanced skills.

• Separate the staccato notes cleanly without rushing; they set the comedic timing of the whole piece.
• Map out the extended keyboard range before performance so you can execute the glissandos confidently without looking down.
• Let the legato sections breathe as a contrast to the bouncy staccato passages; the architecture of the piece depends on this balance.
• Bring energy to the accidentals rather than playing them cautiously; they're part of the humor, not obstacles.

This solo works beautifully on a student recital or festival schedule as a refreshing palate cleanser between more serious repertoire, or as a memorable closer that leaves the audience smiling. Its award status makes it a natural fit for audition programs where you want to demonstrate technical control and musical personality.

• Staccato and legato articulation within the same piece
• Reading and executing accidentals accurately in both hands
• Navigating an extended keyboard range with security
• Executing forearm glissandos with control and confidence
• Balancing rhythmic precision with musical character