Over the coming weekend, I’m running one of my weekend competitions, featuring a publication by renowned Australian composer Wendy Hiscocks.

Explorer piano duets are intended for adventurous students and teachers, and this valuable resource will bring the magic of music making alive for less advanced pianists.

Imaginative accompaniments for teachers transform the student’s part and the full colour printing with illustrations drawn by the composer, Wendy Hiscocks, create a quality publication by Revolution Arts suitable for both children and adult learners.

Simple rhythmic notation for the student helps to build their sight reading ability and C major becomes part of a bigger picture with duets covering six different keys plus duets purely on the black notes (Black Dragon Dance etc). Scales come to life as real music, root position chord patterns are highlighted (Chords & Ladders and Double Black Waltz) as well as playing in contrary motion (Mirrors), discovering imitation (Imitation) and an introduction to chromatic fingering (The Crawl).

Student parts are not limited to five note patterns; there is emphasis on notes that sit on the lines of a stave in both clefs (Chords & Ladders, Line Dance etc); a fun game on the back page will reinforce accuracy and speed called ‘Lock in your Line Notes’.

With the teacher setting an example of good flow and rhythm, the different moods and styles of the twenty-seven duets develop a student’s imagination and interpretive skills. Ghostly Steps is deliberately creepy and dark, Cool Steps and Chilled Out are suave or chic while Clown Showtime, Red Rag and Lament of the Harp express pure joy or lyrical qualities; a considerable range of touch and control over dynamics is demanded of both pianists to realise each colourful miniature sound world. So venture forth with Explorer and enjoy the video!

Explorer is published by Revolution Arts; you can purchase a copy and find out more, here.

I have two copies to giveaway to two lucky readers. If you’d like to take part, please leave your comments in the comment box at the end of this post, and the winners will be announced on Monday evening. Good Luck!

Publications

Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.

For more information, please visit the publications page, here.