Suggest some piano pieces for a Grade 4 student.

[So]

One of my children plays the piano and is working on his Grade 4. His teacher has allowed him to choose some of his own pieces.

At the moment he is playing "Clocks" by Coldplay and "Nightswimming" by REM. The former is going well. the latter not so much because the score is piano / vocals and accordingly has muzak quality to it. He is not enjoying it, and neither am I.

We could ask that he learns the piano only version of Nightswimming, but it occurs to me that it's a bit repetitive. So we're trying to think of some alternative pieces.

Can anyone suggest a piece or two that a teenager might enjoy learning? Ideally fairly recent. Obviously it doesn't need to be massively complex and bear in mind that he has the hands of a young teenager, which don't reach very far.

Many thanks.

[lockhart flawse]

Theme to Wallace & Gromit. It was about the only thing one of mine would practice apart from Coldplay.

[So]

lockhart flawse said:

Theme to Wallace & Gromit. It was about the only thing one of mine would practice apart from Coldplay.

He isn't a fan.

He brother, who is less capable, seems to be able to pick up chav pop and play it endlessly.

[Walter Sobchak]

Pyramid Song?

[cherryowen]

Maybe suggest Chopin's Ballade No.1???

Only joking.

I don't play the piano, but I love solo piano pieces to listen to.

I managed to transcribe this for solo guitar a couple of months ago:-

Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra

I find it a haunting tune, and if I can play it on guitar then it should be straightforward enough on piano.

Divisive, I know, but I also love Philip Glass' work. Sparse, minimalist, but - for me - very satisfying. Like this:-

Metamorphosis #1

[Simes205]

Have a look at the Trinity rock and pop exam board syllabus for piano.
You’ll get a list of graded popular Music pieces, good starting point.

Otherwise the ABRSM Jazz syllabus might throw up some winners.

Edited by Simes205 on Tuesday 23 June 22:52

[So]

Simes205 said:

Have a look at the Trinity rock and pop exam board syllabus for piano.
You’ll get a list of graded popular Music pieces, good starting point.

Otherwise the ABRSM Jazz syllabus might throw up some winners.

Edited by Simes205 on Tuesday 23 June 22:52

Thanks for this Simes. I agree that would be a good starting point, but unless I am missing something I have to pay to download a book before I can find out what pieces are contained within each.

I am happy to buy any supporting material if he decides to head that way, but every link I click seems to lead to a payment link. It's a bit like going into an Italian restaurant and not being able to see the menu. I know that I will get some Italian food, but I don't know until it arrives whether its duck or sweetbreads.