Music for One Hand
New repertoire discoveries for one-hand piano
One of my piano students injured his right hand recently, and I have been on the lookout for new repertoire for him to study while he is momentarily disabled. Much to my delight, I stumbled upon a wonderful collection of songs for either hand composed by Chrissy Ricker. I love Ricker’s pop arrangements for my beginner/early intermediate level teenagers because they are accessible and sound good! Similarly, her collection of one-handed songs is very accessible to late beginners and early intermediate students, and she includes an amazing variety of pieces - including some jazz-inspired rhythms!
Check out her blog post introducing this collection of Hit Singles, complete with audio clips, and find the collection for purchase here. (Bonus: You can download and print the collection today! No need to wait for shipping!)
Another source of great music for one hand is the Beneking Pure Piano website. Composer Stephan Beneking has generously made all of his music available to piano students and teachers free of charge, easily printable from his website. Although I find much of his one-hand music to be more in the solidly intermediate-advanced realm, I will be introducing the easier Prelude for Left Hand No. 1 to one of my students this week.
Isn’t it wonderful?!
Beneking also has written 100 pieces for piano beginners, students, and children that are worth exploring. In addition, you may find his many waltzes and nocturnes for advanced piano interesting.
Another resource, of course, is the Petrucci Music Library, or IMSLP.org. You can search the database for classical music in the public domain for right hand, left hand, or even 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 hands! Check out this link.
I would love to know what you have found interesting in repertoire for one hand, particularly teaching literature in the early-late intermediate levels. Let me know in the comments!