• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Music Matters Blog

Music Matters Blog

Inspiring Creativity

  • Home
  • About
    • Speaking
  • Blog
    • Business
    • News
    • Resources
    • Teaching
  • Store
    • Music Resources
    • Piano Arrangements
    • FAQ
    • Cart
  • Music Books for Kids
  • Contact
  • Search

Review of Color Suites Piano Solos by Starr Meneely

August 2, 2024 by natalie Leave a Comment

A delightful book of piano solos called Color Suites (or Colour if you’re in the UK!) by Starr Meneely made it to my studio this week, and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing through it! Starr lives in the UK and has been teaching piano for 27 years. In addition to this new collection she has also published a unique piano method based in Solfa, an accompanying scale book and music diary, and the children’s book, What a Lovely Sound. I love the colorful, clean look of the piano books, including interiors that are uncluttered and focused on the music.

Of her Color Suites book Starr explains:

“These pieces are composed in a highly patterned way, completely diatonic (with no accidentals), and each one sounds ‘grown up’, with lots of chances to use pedal and experiment with phrasing and dynamics.”

I heartily concur. Each suite includes three movements themed according to the stated color (e.g. the Red Suite movements are Mahogany, Vermillion, and Crimson). Each suite also retains the same key signature, with some of the movements in the Major and some in the minor key. I found myself thinking of possibilities like using some for rote teaching (Pale Blue and Malachite would be especially good candidates for this) or for reinforcing specific concepts like cross-hand arpeggios (Sage), playing the melody in the left hand (Fuschia), keeping a soft inner voice (Gold), and so on. I know this whole collection will get lots of playing time in my studio for years to come!

Starr’s YouTube channel contains complete recordings of each suite, along with additional commentary from her about each piece after she plays it. These are perfect for a late elementary or early intermediate student who is looking for imaginative pieces that fit well in the hand and will showcase their growing abilities without adding overly complicated elements. An extra perk is that you can order any of Starr’s books in the US or the UK and get free shipping. While you’re visiting her site, be sure to check out the section with free piano and music theory worksheets as well. Her Drawing Sharps worksheet is so simple, but brilliant. I’m always excited to learn about new composers and resources in the piano teaching world and hope you enjoy discovering Starr Meneely and her piano books as well!


Please note: Some links above are affiliate links that enable us to receive a small commission from purchases made through them. We only recommend those that we find valuable for teaching and studio use. We are so grateful for the support of teachers and musicians who use our affiliate links to help offset the costs of running Music Matters Blog and providing free resources for music teachers!

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Related

Filed Under: Recital Ideas, Repertoire Suggestions, Resource Reviews

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Recent Comments

  1. Hamud Law Group on Financial Resources for Independent Music Teachers
  2. natalie on Organizing Rote Repertoire for Piano
  3. Patricia Backus on Organizing Rote Repertoire for Piano

Featured Collaborators

sheet music plus pass

carnival of the animals maestro classic

Virtual Sheet Music - Classical Sheet Music Downloads

MusicLink

 

Random Product

Recently Viewed Products

Footer

Free Resources

  • The Rhythm Randomizer – A Fabulous Free Tool for Piano Teachers
  • Amazing Photos of Deconstructed Pianos
  • Financial Resources for Independent Music Teachers
  • Piano Music for Left Hand
  • New Free Tortoises Beginner Piano Solo with Teacher Duet

Click for more Free Resources

Product Search

Blog Archives

Blog Categories

Advertisers and Affiliates

Teach Preschool Piano

Piano Companion App

Oktav Sheet Music Library

Moo.com

sheet music plus pass

maestro classics

Ecwid

Dropbox.com

RSS Feed | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest | LinkedIn | Facebook | Email

Blog content by Natalie's Piano Studio | © 2005-2025. All Rights Reserved.
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Advertising Opportunities

 

Loading Comments...