Repertoire for Solo Piano

MBC’s directory of works for solo piano is an ongoing work in progress. More pieces and publications will be added soon!

 

Series Compiled and Edited by Leah Claiborne

Piano Music of Black Composers – Level 1: Elementary to Upper Elementary (2023)
SHEET MUSIC: from Amazon
DESCRIPTION BY THE PUBLISHER: The Expanding the Repertoire series aims to bring previously unsung piano literature to students and teachers for memorable discoveries. This elementary to upper elementary level volume features music of Black composers in progressive order, and includes pedagogical notes by Leah Claiborne, an expert in the field. CONTENTS: LEAH CLAIBORNE: Chit-Chat * Jumping the Broom * The King’s Magic Drum * Left Alone * The Unsung * JAMES & JOHN JOHNSON: Lift Every Voice and Sing (arr. Leah Claiborne) * ULYSSES KAY: Slumber Song * IGNATIUS SANCHO: Mary Montague’s Reel * HALE SMITH: An Asphodel for Marcel * Blooz * BLANCHE K. THOMAS: Selections from Plantation Songs in Easy Arrangements : Go Down, Moses * I’m Troubled in Mind * Lord, I Want to Be a Christian * Steal Away * Tryin’ to Make Heaven My Home * We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder

Piano Music of Black Composers – Level 2: Early Intermediate to Intermediate (2023)
SHEET MUSIC: from Amazon
DESCRIPTION BY THE PUBLISHER: The Expanding the Repertoire series aims to bring previously unsung piano literature to students and teachers for memorable discoveries. This early intermediate to intermediate level volume features music of Black composers in progressive order, and includes pedagogical notes by Leah Claiborne, an expert in the field. CONTENTS: FRANCIS JOHNSON: Fort Erie * ULYSSES KAY: Make Believe * March Song * ESTELLE RICKETTS: Rippling Spring Waltz * CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES: Adagio in F minor * IGNATIUS SANCHO: All of One Mind * HALE SMITH: The Broken Saxophone * That’s Mike * BLANCHE K. THOMAS: Selections from Plantation Songs in Easy Arrangements : Go Tell It On the Mountain * I Ain’t Goin’ to Study War No More * I’m Rollin’ Thro’ an Unfriendly World * I’ve Got a Robe * Swing Low, Sweet Chariot * Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)

 

Series Compiled and Edited by William H. Chapman Nyaho

Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora Volume 1 (2007)
LEVEL: Early Intermediate (level B)
SHEET MUSIC: from Oxford University Press and from Amazon—try web searches for other limited-time sales; also available through libraries
DESCRIPTION BY THE EDITOR: This first volume for advanced beginners offers a wonderful introduction to Ragtime and Jazz as well as syncopation and different articulations. The pieces range from light-hearted pieces like ‘Kwela,’ the Zulu term for dance, to soulful and spiritual pieces like ‘Dusk.’ This volume includes performance notes for each piece.

Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora Volume 2 (2007)
LEVEL: Intermediate (level B-C)
SHEET MUSIC: from Oxford University Press and from Amazon—try web searches for other limited-time sales; also available through libraries
DESCRIPTION BY THE EDITOR: From the influences of the Southern US and the Caribbean to the Igbo people of Africa, this second volume truly represents the music of Africa and its Diaspora. This intermediate-level volume features more jazz and syncopated pieces that are both reflective and dance-like. Performance notes and composer biographies are also provided.

Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora Volume 3 (2008)
LEVEL: Early Advanced (level C)
SHEET MUSIC: from Oxford University Press and from Amazon—try web searches for other limited-time sales; also available through libraries
DESCRIPTION BY THE EDITOR: The third volume for early advanced pianists explores even more genres than the first two volumes, such as elements of Tango and Haitian Merengue music. ‘Cell Phone Blues’ is derived from pop music and Jazz. This volume also includes spirituals and African folksongs. Performance notes and composer biographies are provided as well.

Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora Volume 4 (2008)
LEVEL: Advanced (level D)
SHEET MUSIC: from Oxford University Press and from Amazon—try web searches for other limited-time sales; also available through libraries
DESCRIPTION BY THE EDITOR: The fourth volume in this series includes seven advanced pieces that are longer in duration than those in the first three volumes, making them excellent options for recitals. These are wonderfully entertaining for both the listener and performer and will appeal to pianists looking for fun and expressive repertoire.

Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora Volume 5 (2008)
LEVEL: Advanced (level D)
SHEET MUSIC: from Oxford University Press and from Amazon—try web searches for other limited-time sales; also available through libraries
DESCRIPTION BY THE EDITOR: This is the last and most advanced volume of the graduated series, which includes works by composers of African descent that are hard to find or have never been published. This volume is for advanced performers and is a wonderful source of new and unusual repertoire.

Check out our link to a Directory of Repertoire for Classical Guitar »