Between Grades 4 & 5, Some light relief Options

[Cadence]

I know there have been some threads about good classical and standard material for students who are between the grade 4/5 standard, but I wondered if anyone could help with something more modern?

What I'm looking for is a collection/book of pieces that are jazzy and fun - a bit of light relief for a student who really enjoys playing, but was put through the mill a bit for her grade 4 and could really do with getting into some stuff that is going to renew her enthusiasm with music. She is not ready to take her grade 5 as grade 4 was a push and she was really entered too early by her previous teacher and then had to have a month of lots of extra lessons with me to get her even remotely ready for the exam. That really stressed her out. (And then the first lesson back from grade 4 her mum had bought the pieces, scales and sight-reading books for grade 5 already!) So now I have inherited her from her previous teacher (who I know well and they asked to change, so it wasn't poaching!) and I really would like to inspire her.

She loved playing "Bop Goes The Weasel" from the grade 4 syllabus, so we're going to have a bit of fun for a while. If the pieces are varied in difficulty, that would be great as I would still like to challenge her and allow her to improve. I'll be doing classical repertoire with her as well though.

'Finger Jogging Boogie' I've seen and really like the look of but the level is far too low. I also saw on Musicroom.com a book called "Cool Piano" by Alison Hammond (I think that's the composer, not sure), but of course you can't look at the actual music on the internet and my shop doesn't have it in stock - anyone know what it's like maybe?

Thanks for any recommendations and ideas you can give.
C x

[maggiemay]

Yes, I agree FJB is much too easy. There is a 'More FJB' which you might like to look at - from memory I think the pieces are more like grades 3-4, so may still be a bit on the easy side, but nearer to what you're looking for.

Other ideas ...

Martha Mier Jazz Rags and Blues - book 3 or 4 - you'd need to take a view

On the Cool Side (not to be confused with Cool Piano) by Brian Chapple, around grades 4-5.

On the Lighter Side by John Kember is a range of books, so again you'd need to take a look. I like the Blues pieces book, around the same sort of level. (Some of the others books would be too easy. )

More Swinging Rhymes by Terence Greaves is the book the piece you mentioned comes from, so your pupil might enjoy exploring the others.

Rhythm and Rag (and More R and R) by Alan Haughton is kind of similar.

Hope there are some useful ideas here.

[jm-hamilton]

I've recently bought Up-Grade for GRades 4-5 and my pupil is enjoying those.