Take Five - Piano Solo: Piano Solo

Sharon Aaronson's arrangements bring together repertoire that spans classical masterworks, Broadway gold, and jazz standards in one cohesive collection. Each arrangement sits comfortably at the intermediate to early advanced level, making this ideal for students who want to explore diverse musical styles without navigating multiple single-piece purchases. The breadth of material serves both recital programming and personal repertoire building, offering genuine variety that holds interest across repeated practice sessions.

A sophisticated tour through American popular song, European classical tradition, and jazz idiom, all filtered through the lens of a skilled arranger. These pieces invite you into the storytelling behind each melody, whether you're playing a Gershwin standard, a film theme, or a Pachelbel favorite. The writing feels accessible without being condescending, allowing the elegance of each source material to shine through.

Intermediate and early advanced pianists preparing recital material, festival performances, or building a diverse solo repertoire. Music students who want exposure to multiple musical styles and eras in a single, organized resource.

• Balance rubato with rhythmic clarity in the classical pieces; these arrangements invite expressive phrasing without sacrificing the architectural integrity of the originals.
• Approach the jazz standards with attention to swing feel and syncopation, even in simplified arrangements. The rhythmic sophistication is part of what makes these pieces musically satisfying.
• Use the full dynamic range available to you. With 40 pieces, contrast in touch and tone between selections will keep listeners engaged during longer recitals.
• Pay close attention to any written articulation markings. Aaronson's arrangements often use staccato, legato, and accent choices to guide the character of each piece.

Build a themed recital around contrasting styles: open with a classical arrangement (Pachelbel, Beethoven), move through Broadway and film music in the middle section, and close with jazz standards. Alternatively, select 8-10 pieces that suit your student's strengths and interests, using the collection as a menu for festival selections across multiple years. The variety makes it equally valuable for a solo recital or as a personal practice resource for exploring different musical languages.

• Navigating stylistic differences between classical, Broadway, and jazz repertoire
• Interpreting swing rhythm and jazz phrasing conventions
• Reading and executing articulation markings that define musical character
• Managing dynamic contrast and touch variation across a large body of work
• Developing fluency with rubato and expressive phrasing in arrangements of well-known melodies