Looking Up From the Forest Moon

Looking Up From the Forest Moon Description:

• Level: Late Intermediate, Early Advanced
• Mood: Tranquil, Animated
• Pages: 5 pages, 3 pages of music, cover included
• Format: Instant PDF download
• Studio Licence Bonus: Cover art, composer notes with mastery tips and “make it your own” suggestions
• Collections: May The Fourth

“Looking Up From the Forest Moon” is a late intermediate to early advanced piece that explores how 7th through 13th chords can create a yearning, introspective mood.  Also, it was inspired by looking at the stars through the redwood canopy in a galaxy far, far away.

Looking Up From the Forest Moon Level:

“Looking Up From the Forest Moon” is a late intermediate to early advanced piano solo in 5/4 time.  Borrowed chords from the parallel minor mode, as well as sparse versions of 7th through 13th chords, create a yearning, introspective mood to this piano solo.

• Mode: A Major (key signature)
• Time Signature: 5/4
• Concepts: Alternating beat subdivisions (3-2, 2-3), 7th through 13th chords, cross-rhythms (3 over 2 and 2 over 3), ledger lines (up 4), arpeggio accompaniment, triplet chord accompaniment, arpeggiated triplet accompaniment, changing tempo, parallel intervals (3, 5, 6, 7), rubato, rolled chord, accelerando, rallentando 

This piece was inspired by a variation of a chord progression John Williams has used to create melancholy, introspective moods.  As it relies heavily on borrowed chords, there are quite a few accidentals in addition to the key signature.  But, the resulting tones are well worth it.

The smallest note is the sixteenth note.  The rhythms (including cross rhythms) create an introspective and, at times, melancholy feel to this piece.

The 5/4 time signature was fascinating to compose and created an opportunity to move between the 3 – 2 subdivision and 2 – 3 subdivision.  The goal for your student is to move between the subdivisions seamlessly.

Lastly, there are three main accompaniment patterns in this piece.  The arpeggios include notes from the 7th and 9th chords.  The triplets are followed by dotted eighth and sixteenth-note patterns.  This piece ends on a gorgeous triplet arpeggios that spans four octaves, a rolled chord and a final hymn-like chord.

Looking Up From the Forest Moon Bonus:

All sheet music comes with original cover art.  “Looking Up From the Forest Moon” comes with tips for your students to master the piece.

More About “May The Fourth” Collection:

“Looking Up From the Forest Moon” is part of the “May The Fourth” collection that pays homage to a classic movie saga in a galaxy far, far away.  Your late intermediate to early advanced piano students will love the different takes on various moments or places from the saga.

All piano solos in this collection are at a late intermediate through early advanced level.  Each piece includes 7th and 9th chords (and sometimes beyond) plus sections with cross-rhythms.

• Time To Go: Be transported to the end of the night at a famous cantina!  This smooth jazz piece explores lush chords and interesting rhythms in 6/8 time.
• Looking Up From the Forest Moon: Look up through the canopy of redwoods to the stars beyond on this famous forest moon.  This piece explores the vulnerable, introspective side of life in 5/4 time.
• The Misplaced Trooper: Perhaps this trooper didn’t want to originally join, but this oddball march has a dark, yet sometimes playful mood.  This piece is almost entirely composed of minor chords and spans over 4 octaves on the piano.
• Trek Across the Desert Planet: Country swing creates a laid-back feel as you travel across the (original) desert planet. Tranquil, mysterious, and bold, this piano solo in 6/4 time explores different rhythm groupings and quartal chords in G minor.