Handsprings Cover Image

Handsprings: Piano Sheet

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Handsprings Cover Image
Handsprings: Piano Sheet

Handsprings: Piano Sheet

By Catherine Rollin

Level: Late Elementary

Item: 00-21401
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Description
This lively solo employs staccatos and hand crossings to effectively depict handsprings on the keyboard. The A section is written with both hands in bass clef. The left hand frequently crosses over the right hand throughout the piece. The short B section is followed by a return to A, written one octave higher than the opening, thus requiring both hands to be written in treble clef for much of this section. The 3/4 meter gives this C major piece a fun and playful feel.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
ISBN10: 0-7390-3291-7
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-3291-6
UPC: 038081219691
SKU: 00-21401

More about this title

About the Composer: Catherine Rollin

Catherine Rollin

Catherine Rollin is a composer and pianist whose work balances an active performance schedule with mentorship of accomplished students. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Oakland University School of Performing Arts, and has presented masterclasses and workshops across the United States, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan.

Rollin's compositions have earned recognition from major organizations including MTNA, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and ASCAP. She has been commissioned for works ranging from solo pieces to chamber ensembles, and has served as a national judge for composition competitions. Her multimedia series Museum Masterpieces and her trio Suite Detroit (which premiered at the 2018 MTNA national conference) represent the range and ambition of her output as a working composer.

Why we love this

Rollin understands what makes late elementary pianists engage with music. She uses technical challenges like hand crossings and staccato as storytelling tools rather than exercises, so students experience technique as a means to an end. The piece delivers genuine musical pleasure while solving the real pedagogical challenge of making cross-hand writing playful rather than mechanical.

What to expect

Energetic and playful, with a buoyant 3/4 meter that propels the piece forward. The staccatos and hand crossings create a sense of physical action on the keyboard, while the return to the A section an octave higher lifts the piece into a brighter, more triumphant register.

Who it's for

Late elementary pianists ready to explore hand independence and cross-hand technique in a musical context. This piece works well for students who respond to descriptive, character-driven music and who are building confidence with staccato articulation and more complex hand positioning.

How to get the most out of it

  • Practice the hand crossings slowly and deliberately at first. Map out exactly when and where the left hand passes over the right, then gradually increase tempo until the motion feels fluid.
  • Approach the staccatos as crisp articulations that create the bouncing character. Short, snappy notes will make the handspring imagery come alive on the keyboard.
  • The shift from bass clef to treble clef in the return to A is a significant visual change. Spend time reading this section separately so the notational transition doesn't disrupt your tempo or confidence.
  • Notice the octave transposition in the final A section. Hearing the same material one octave higher gives the piece a sense of ascent and energy, so bring out that brightness through your touch and voicing.

How to use it

Program this as a recital opener or interlude where its humor and energy can refresh an audience. It pairs well with more lyrical pieces and provides a welcome contrast in a student showcase where technical display and musical storytelling need equal weight.

Skills your students will build

  • Hand crossing technique (left hand passing over the right)
  • Staccato articulation and control
  • Reading in both bass and treble clef within a single piece
  • Octave transposition and its effect on musical character
  • Rhythmic precision in 3/4 meter

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