Piano Pedagogy Playlist

By Luke Bartolomeo

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... more

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FAQs about Piano Pedagogy Playlist:

How many episodes does Piano Pedagogy Playlist have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.

Piano Pedagogy Playlist episodes:

April 27, 2026 Ep. 37 – For The Gamer Who Thinks They Don’t Like Piano
Today’s episode is for a very specific student.
The one who’s deeply immersed in video games and gaming culture… who loves music—but doesn’t think they love piano. Maybe they’ve even decided they’re a little too cool for it.
This week I’m sharing music that can change that perception.
Featuring selections from Let’s Quest, Volume 2 by Chrissy Ricker, these original piano pieces capture the sound world of video games.
Even though the music is new, it feels familiar—often leading students to that moment of recognition:
“Oh… this feels like my music.”
In the episode, I share a recent teaching moment where that exact shift happened—and how repertoire like this can completely change a student’s outlook on their piano studies.
Mission Alpha (from Let’s Quest, Vol. 2)
Chrissy Ricker Early Intermediate
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Only in Dreams (from Let’s Quest, Vol. 2)
Chrissy Ricker Early Intermediate
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Stealth Mode (from Let’s Quest, Vol. 2)
Chrissy Ricker Early Intermediate
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Awakening (from Let’s Quest, Vol. 2)
Chrissy Ricker Early Intermediate
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...more
17min
April 20, 2026 Ep. 36- 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
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Le chant de l’eau (from Piano au bord de l’eau)
Marina Alcolea Elementary
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Lac miroir (from Piano au bord de l’eau)
Marina Alcolea Elementary
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Gare sous la pluie (from Piano au bord de l’eau)
Marina Alcolea Late Elementary
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Néréides (from Piano au bord de l’eau)
Marina Alcolea Late Intermediate
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...more
17min
April 13, 2026 Ep. 35 – 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
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Smooth and Crunchy (from Very Easy Little Peppers)
Elementary
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Safari (from, Very Easy Little Peppers)
Late Elementary
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Flâneur (from, Very Easy Little Peppers)
Elementary
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Chase (from, Very Easy Little Peppers)
Elementary
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Storm in a Teacup (from, Very Easy Little Peppers)
Late Elementary
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Three Legged Race (from, Very Easy Little Peppers)
Late Elementary
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...more
15min
April 06, 2026 Ep. 34 – 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
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Hear the first three works in this series from previous episodes: January, February, and March.
Raindrop Rhapsody
Wynn-Anne Rossi Late Intermediate
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13min
March 30, 2026 Ep. 33: 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
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Prelude in a minor (from Preludes in Patterns)
Kevin Olson Early Intermediate
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Prelude in D major (from Preludes in Patterns)
Kevin Olson Early Intermediate
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Prelude in d minor (from Preludes in Patterns)
Kevin Olson Early Intermediate
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Prelude in g minor (from Preludes in Patterns)
Kevin Olson Early Intermediate
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Prelude in B♭ major (from Preludes in Patterns)
Kevin Olson Early Intermediate
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...more
15min
March 23, 2026 Ep. 32 – 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.
...more
16min
March 16, 2026 Ep. 31 – 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

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Time Travel

Ailbhe McDonagh Intermediate

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Asana Olea

Ailbhe McDonagh Intermediate

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...more
13min
March 09, 2026 Ep. 30 – 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)

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Midnight Waltz -Julie Ann Ballard (Early Intermediate)
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Vals Romántico - Martín Cuéllar (Late Intermediate)

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...more
15min
March 02, 2026 Ep. 29 – 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
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Symphony of Spring
Kevin Costley Late Intermediate
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12min
February 23, 2026 Ep. 28 – Imagination with Intention: Anne Crosby Gaudet
Robots, starfish, puppies, dreamcatchers — they all live in the imaginative world of Canadian composer Anne Crosby Gaudet, a teacher-composer whose music is playful and colorful, as well as brilliant in the way it develops students.
In this episode, I share six of her pieces for elementary through intermediate pianists: Robots, Starfish at Night, Periwinkle Twinkle, Playful Puppy, Dreamcatcher, and The Sparrow.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone today, including one especially satisfying intermediate piece that often feels like a real “level-up” moment for students.
If you’re looking to expand your teaching repertoire with music that builds technique without ever feeling like an exercise, I think you’ll really enjoy the music of Anne Crosby Gaudet.
Robots
Anne Crosby Gaudet — Elementary
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Starfish at Night
Anne Crosby Gaudet — Elementary
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Periwinkle Twinkle
Anne Crosby Gaudet — Early Intermediate
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Funny Puppy
Anne Crosby Gaudet — Early Intermediate
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Dreamcatcher
Anne Crosby Gaudet — Intermediate
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The Sparrow
Anne Crosby Gaudet — Intermediate
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...more
16min

FAQs about Piano Pedagogy Playlist:

How many episodes does Piano Pedagogy Playlist have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.