Comments on: Monday Mailbag – Mysterious Repertoire

By: Stengel99

Stengel99 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:51:48 +0000

What a great theme! I remember an orchestra rehearsal where the guest conductor went into a big speech about how the music needed to sound mysterious, and he managed to captivate the imagination of the whole room.

By: natalie

natalie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:12:29 +0000

I also just remembered the book, “Gumshoes” by Jason Sifford. It has several fun, mysterious-sounding jazz pieces!

By: natalie

natalie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:55:16 +0000

Here are some more suggestions from another reader:
A new book out by Jennifer Lynn, with some wonderful pieces is “Tales of Mystery.” Jennifer played through them for me at the NCKP this past summer… and each piece is a keeper…
Escape into the Night
Message in a Bottle
Mirage
Nocturne Mystique
Secret Mission
Showdown Blues…
And then again, there is always the Pink Panther …

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:51:57 +0000

Agent X- Very catchy tune! Level 5 (Bober)
Cat Prowl- VERY AWESOME PIECE! Level 2B Bober

By: Mikaela

Mikaela — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:51:26 +0000

Hey Natalie!
My sister Lauren introduced me to your blog, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. =)
My suggestions are not mystery-themed in their titles, but their sound seems very cool and mysterious:
- Tarantella (first song in Alfred’s Basic Piano Lesson Book, Level 4)
- The Storm by Burgmuller
- Movie Music! Try an arrangment of the Jaws Theme (taken from the New World Symphony by Dvorak)or pieces from classic mystery movies.
This would be a great time to emphasize/introduce minor keys to students and have them compose little ditties in minor keys. A minor key will turn many a song into a 007 super-secret agent. =)

By: Amy C.

Amy C. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:36:41 +0000

Another “Super Sleuth” my students love is by Lynn Freeman Olson in the book Pop! Goes the Piano book 1. In the book Schirmer’s Halloween Favorites elementary piano solos there’s one called “Mystery Story.” For more advanced students one of Mendelssohn’s Songs without words might work. For 1st year students you could write your own pieces and let them help name them. Good Luck!