A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting Piano Pieces for Intermediate Players
As an intermediate piano player currently working on grade 5 AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) pieces such as Chopin's Minute Waltz, Beethoven's Turkish March, and Arabesque No. 1, it's an exciting time to explore more advanced repertoire. This guide will help you navigate the world of piano music, suggesting pieces and resources to enhance your skills.
Exploring Advanced Pieces
If you are looking to step up your game, consider pieces by composers like Brahms, Debussy, and Chopin. For instance, Brahms has a rich variety of works, and you might find the Dance by Debussy or several nocturnes by Chopin to be delightful. The Petrucci Library is another excellent resource for free sheet music.
Middle Period Beethoven
For a deep dive into the intermediate level, explore Beethoven's middle period sonatas such as the D Minor Sonata. These pieces offer a mix of technical challenges and expressive opportunities, making them ideal for building your playing skills. Additionally, a diverse collection of Chopin's waltzes, along with ballades, Scherzos, Polonaises, preludes, and mazurkas can provide a well-rounded practice regimen. Learning five etudes will help you develop your technique in different styles.
Orchestral and Concert Performances
Once you feel comfortable with the intermediate repertoire, you might consider more ambitious pieces like the Waldstein Sonata in C major. With such pieces, you can hone your skills and even get an invitation from a local orchestra. Before tackling these concert-level works, it's essential to master chamber music and accompanying roles. Have some familiar encore pieces, such as the F Major Two-Part Invention, prepared for performances, as audiences often enjoy these.
Exam Board Syllabi and Resources
If you plan to continue with AMEB exams, understanding the syllabus is crucial. For instance, the 2019 RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music) syllabus still applies for higher grades through 2022, offering a wide variety of pieces. For AMEB grade 6, candidates must choose one piece each from List A, List B, and List C, totaling three out of 29 pieces. For AMEB grade 7, there are 25 pieces to choose from, and for grade 8, 35 pieces. The Senior Certificate has 23 pieces.
ABSRM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) provides a PDF syllabus with 28 pieces listed for grade 6, though some might be exclusive publications. LCM (London College of Music) has 44 pieces for grade 6, with roughly half published in their own books, and many available from other sources. Trinity College has 35 pieces for grade 6, with many widely available.
For detailed syllabus information, visit the respective board's website and look for the PDF link. Exploring these resources will give you hundreds of pieces across various grades to choose from, ensuring a rich and varied learning experience.
Remember to enjoy the process and the music. Enjoying the music is what it's all about!