The Creeps: Piano Book

Theatrical and playful, with genuine creepy moments balanced by wry humor. These pieces have character without becoming cartoonish, offering the satisfaction of playing music that sounds genuinely interesting rather than like an etude dressed up.

Intermediate pianists looking for repertoire with personality and appeal beyond standard teaching literature. This collection works especially well for students who need motivation to practice regularly and respond well to pieces with storytelling appeal.

• Lean into the narrative of each piece. The titles aren't window dressing; they shape how you voice chords, phrase melodies, and control dynamics. A wraith needs different touch than a zombie.
• Tempo flexibility serves these pieces well. Rubato in the waltzes and creeping hesitation in the spookier movements come alive when you trust your instincts rather than the metronome.
• Use the character as permission to experiment with pedal. These pieces reward ear training about when to blur harmonies for atmosphere and when to keep lines clear.

October recitals are the obvious fit, but these pieces work year-round in studio settings or student showcases. They also serve well as rewards between technique work or as bridge pieces when transitioning students from early intermediate to full intermediate repertoire.

• Pedal control and awareness of harmonic blending
• Character-driven interpretation and rubato
• Coordination of independent rhythmic patterns between hands
• Dynamic shaping within a narrow tonal palette
• Reading accidentals and chromatic movement