Ebony Music
Piano Music by Esther Cohen
The following sets of pieces provide contemporary music to complement the first books of the series Music for piano (see below). They are all highly evocative and, like the music in the Piano Course, use a wide variety of styles. The harmonic language is vivid and not too predictable. A number of books have illustrations which provide a witty and imaginative backdrop to the pieces.
Every book (apart from Play in the Park) is accompanied by an audio CD recording of the entire book as an aid to effective and rewarding practice. All early and middle grade pieces are performed on two tracks; the first is at a performance tempo, and the second is significantly slower.
To hear audio clips or view sample pages, go to the webpage for each book listed below (opens in a new window) and click on the appropriate link. Audio files are mp3 and pages are pdf (requires Adobe Reader).
For ease of navigation, right click on the 'Sample page' link, then Open link in new tab or window.
Piano solos
Play in the Park
A little book of little pieces for little children – typically four to seven-year olds. Each piece is illustrated and has words to sing. Of the fourteen pieces, around half are for hands together, using very simple patterns to accompany the tune.
Price including audio CD: £7.90
On the Move
Movement sounds: six easy pieces for young piano players.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
Catch Phrases
Things to say become things to play: Eleven easy pieces for young piano players. Most pieces use simple patterns and could be taught (by rote) to young children with little reading ability. Pre-grade 1–grade 1.
Price including audio CD: £6.90
Out of Doors
Ten pieces about town, country and beyond. Most are easy to sing and can be absorbed quickly. Pre-grade 1–grade 1. Price including audio CD: £6.90
Insects
Ten pieces about the ways of insects (mostly!). Pre-grade 1–grade 1.
Price including audio CD: £9.90
Dinosaurs
Six pieces about the ways of dinosaurs. Pre-grade 1–grade 1.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
Streetwise
Nine jazzy style pieces with easy left hand ostinatos and catchy rhythmic tunes. Grade 1–2.
Price including audio CD: £7.40
Castle
Ten pieces, glimpses of life in and around the castle. Grade 1–3.
Price including audio CD: £7.90
On the Ark
Ten pieces from the little world of life on the Ark. Grade 2–4.
Price including audio CD: £7.90
Now and then
The neo-classical spot: four pieces in a mildly classical style. Grade 1–3.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
Mood Swing
Six short pieces with a jazzy flavour. Grade 3–5.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
Flights of fancy
Five short and challenging pieces for piano in various vaguely jazzy styles. Grade 3–5.
Price including audio CD: £6.90
Prelude and Toccata
Two contrasting pieces entitled "Still and silent" and (predictably) "!Nonstop!" Grade 4–6.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
Painting with oils
Reflective pictures in sound. Five pieces around Grade 4–6.
Price including audio CD: £6.90
Sweet Suite
Appealing tunes, beguiling harmonies... six songs for piano around grade 3-5.
Price including audio CD: £6.90
Piano Duet
About the weather
Four duets for piano. Around grade 2.
Price including audio CD: £6.90
Antics
Three duets for piano. Around grade 2.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
"Sort of" piano duets
Three duets with a hint of this and that and a little difficulty here and there. Grade 2-4.
Price including audio CD: £6.40
Piano Trio
Let me put a word in
A trio for six hands on one piano: light and bright - and not difficult!
Price including audio CD: £6.40
