Piano Pedagogy Playlist

Luke Bartolomeo
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It's a great time to be a piano teacher! So many resources on the internet... and so much new music being written by contemporary composers for developing students. Join me each Monday when I'll share with you a piece or two from the contemporary repertoire. From beginner level to advanced, from old favorites to new discoveries, you and your students are certain to be inspired by the music featured on the Piano Pedagogy Playlist.

  1. 5D AGO

    Before Debussy: Music by Marina Alcolea

    Students often fall in love with pieces like Clair de lune long before they have the technique to play them well. And as teachers, that puts us in a tricky spot. We don’t want to dampen that enthusiasm—but we also know those pieces are, at the moment, out of reach. And handing them a simplified version rarely captures what drew them in to begin with. In this episode, I explore a collection that offers a better solution. Marina Alcolea’s "Piano au bord de l’eau"" introduces students to the sound world of French Impressionism through music that is approachable, pattern-based, and genuinely musical—without feeling like a watered-down version of Debussy. If you’re looking for repertoire that meets students where they are—while still honoring the music they’re drawn to—this is a collection worth exploring. Les vagues berceuses (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Elementary Digital Download Le chant de l’eau (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Elementary Digital Download Lac miroir (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Elementary Digital Download Gare sous la pluie (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Late Elementary Digital Download Néréides (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Late Intermediate Digital Download

    16 min

  2. APR 13

    Elissa Milne’s Very Easy Little Peppers: Teaching Beyond the Method Book

    Method books give us structure and sequence, but they don’t always provide enough reinforcement—or enough variety—to keep students fully engaged. That’s where supplemental repertoire can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, we explore Very Easy Little Peppers by Elissa Milne—a collection of short, engaging pieces designed for early elementary piano students. These pieces offer teachers the opportunity to: reinforce key concepts introduce musical challenges in a manageable way highlight each student’s unique strengths and bring fresh, appealing repertoire into early lessons We’ll look at seven selections from the collection, grouped by how they can function in your teaching: articulation-focused studies that build control and independence simple pieces with a modern, engaging sound and slightly more advanced works that can serve as recital-ready showpieces Whether you’re looking to support a struggling student, challenge a quick learner, or simply add variety to your teaching, this collection offers practical and musical solutions. Salt and Pepper (from Very Easy Little Peppers) Salt and Pepper Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition Smooth and Crunchy (from Very Easy Little Peppers) Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition Safari (from, Very Easy Little Peppers) Late Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition Flâneur (from, Very Easy Little Peppers) Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition Chase (from, Very Easy Little Peppers) Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition Storm in a Teacup (from, Very Easy Little Peppers) Late Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition Three Legged Race (from, Very Easy Little Peppers) Late Elementary Digital Download single piece or Entire Collection Printed Edition

    15 min

  3. APR 6

    April Showers Bring Color, Atmosphere, and Hope

    Spring rain provides the inspiration for this week’s episode of The Piano Pedagogy Playlist, as I explore two contemporary piano pieces that capture its sound, motion, and atmosphere in very different ways. I begin with April – La pluie de printemps (Spring Rain) by Chris Caine, an advanced-level work from his collection A Year in Twelve Keys. This piece offers a rich, atmospheric sound world and serves as a compelling option for students ready to engage with more sophisticated textures and technical demands. I’ll then contrast that with Raindrop Rhapsody by Wynn-Anne Rossi, an intermediate-level piece that uses both impresionistic and lyrical moments to create an engaging and rather unique sounding musical experience. Two rainy day pieces, both challenging, both composed with a unique musical sensibility, and neither one in the least bit gray or dreary. April: La Pluie de Printemps (from A Year in Twelve Keys) Chris Kaine Advanced Digital Download Single Piece or Entire Collection Hear the first three works in this series from previous episodes: January, February, and March. Raindrop Rhapsody Wynn-Anne Rossi Late Intermediate Digital Download

    13 min

  4. MAR 30

    When You Need a Piece That Comes Together Quickly - Preludes in Patterns by Kevin Olson

    This week, I’m sharing six short pieces from Kevin Olson’s Preludes in Patterns—music that sounds impressive, but is built from simple, repeating ideas. These pattern-based preludes help students build confidence, improve reading, and prepare polished performances in less time. A great resource for recital season or anytime you need a piece that comes together quickly. Prelude in C major (from Preludes in Patterns) Kevin Olson Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition Prelude in a minor (from Preludes in Patterns) Kevin Olson Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition Prelude in D major (from Preludes in Patterns) Kevin Olson Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition Prelude in d minor (from Preludes in Patterns) Kevin Olson Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition Prelude in g minor (from Preludes in Patterns) Kevin Olson Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition Prelude in B♭ major (from Preludes in Patterns) Kevin Olson Early Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition

    15 min

  5. MAR 23

    Keep It Quirky: Student Pieces by Angeline Bell

    This week we explore music by Angeline Bell, a UK-based pianist and teacher whose “Notebook” collections have quickly become favorites among piano teachers. Selections from My Quirky Notebook show her gift for writing short, imaginative pieces that students enjoy while still developing real technique and musicality. These works combine humor, strong character, and practical pedagogy — perfect for students who want something modern without sacrificing substance. Published by Editions Musica Ferrum https://pianopedagogyplaylist.com/editions-musica-ferrum Pieces featured in this episode: Airport Blues (from My Quirky Notebook) Angeline Bell — Intermediate https://www.musica-ferrum.com/books/my-quirky-notebook/ Tintagel (from My Quirky Notebook) Angeline Bell — Intermediate https://www.musica-ferrum.com/books/my-quirky-notebook/ Toucan Tango (from My Quirky Notebook) Angeline Bell — Late Intermediate https://www.musica-ferrum.com/books/my-quirky-notebook/ Squeezy the Squirrel (from My Quirky Notebook) Angeline Bell — Intermediate https://www.musica-ferrum.com/books/my-quirky-notebook/ Car Chase in L.A. (from My Quirky Notebook) Angeline Bell — Intermediate https://www.musica-ferrum.com/books/my-quirky-notebook/ Sloth Ballet (from My Quirky Notebook) Angeline Bell — Intermediate https://www.musica-ferrum.com/books/my-quirky-notebook/ The Piano Pedagogy Playlist is a weekly podcast featuring contemporary piano music for students, teachers, and anyone interested in exploring the living repertoire of the instrument.

    16 min

  6. MAR 16

    An Irish Voice in Contemporary Piano Repertoire

    With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I wanted to explore music written from within the culture. I offer you three piano pieces by Irish composer Ailbhe McDonagh, a performer, teacher, and chamber musician whose educational music combines strong pedagogy with a real sense of atmosphere and character. From the flowing textures of The Estuary, to the rhythmic drive of Time Travel, to the calm, centered character of Asana Olea, each work offers opportunities to develop listening, tone, and musical storytelling in the teaching studio. These are excellent choices for intermediate students and a great reminder that student repertoire can be expressive, atmospheric, and deeply musical. The Estuary Ailbhe McDonagh Intermediate Digital Download Time Travel Ailbhe McDonagh Intermediate Digital Download Asana Olea Ailbhe McDonagh Intermediate Digital Download

    13 min

  7. MAR 9

    Waltzes, Waltzes, Waltzes

    The waltz is one of the most enduring musical forms in Western music. First popular in the late 18th century, it has outlasted powdered wigs, pet rocks, fidget spinners, and even the 6-7 craze — and composers are still writing waltzes today. In this episode, I play three contemporary waltzes for intermediate piano students, each with a very different personality. All three happen to be in the key of A, two in major and one in minor, and each one shows a different way this classic dance form continues to live on in today’s teaching repertoire. We begin with the expressive and flexible Valse Sentimentale by Catherine Rollin, a stylized waltz full of rubato and Impressionist color. Next is Midnight Waltz by Julie Ann Ballard, a reflective minor-key piece that works beautifully for tone and phrasing at the early intermediate level. Finally, Vals Romántico by Martin Cuéllar brings us back to A major with a lyrical, romantic waltz that challenges students to navigate a roaming left hand while maintaining a relaxed tempo. These pieces are excellent additions to the teaching studio and show how the waltz continues to be a vibrant and useful form in contemporary piano literature. Valse Sentimentale - Catherine Rollin (Intermediate) Digital Download Printed Edition Midnight Waltz -Julie Ann Ballard (Early Intermediate) Digital Download Printed Edition Vals Romántico - Martín Cuéllar (Late Intermediate) Digital Download Printed Edition

    14 min

  8. MAR 2

    In Like a Lion: the Promise of Spring

    March arrives with strength in this week’s episode. I perform March: Promise of Spring from Chris Caine’s A Year in Twelve Keys, a dramatic D major work filled with expansive intervals and demanding octave textures — a fantastic study in hand preparation and rhythmic drive. I also share Kevin Costley’s Symphony of Spring, a late-intermediate to early-advanced piece that explores dynamic contrast, layered voicing, and expressive color. Two dynamic works that awaken both technique and imagination. March: Promise of Spring (from A Year in 12 Keys) Chris Caine Advanced Digital Download Printed Edition Symphony of Spring Kevin Costley Late Intermediate Digital Download Printed Edition

    11 min
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About

It's a great time to be a piano teacher! So many resources on the internet... and so much new music being written by contemporary composers for developing students. Join me each Monday when I'll share with you a piece or two from the contemporary repertoire. From beginner level to advanced, from old favorites to new discoveries, you and your students are certain to be inspired by the music featured on the Piano Pedagogy Playlist.

Information

  • Creator
    Luke Bartolomeo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Piano Pedagogy Playlist
  • Show Website
    Piano Pedagogy Playlist