Trek Across The Desert Planet

Trek Across the Desert Planet Description:

• Level: Late Intermediate, Early Advanced
• Mood: Tranquil, Swing, Mysterious, Joyful
• 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

“Trek Across the Desert Planet” is a laidback homage to the Western.  Ranging from tranquil to mysterious to bold, this 6/4 time piano solo explores different rhythm groupings using country swing and quartal chords in G minor.

This piece was inspired by the epic journeys and sweeping landscapes from a desert planet far, far away.  And, it was also inspired by the question, “How do you make a minor key sound happier?”

Trek Across the Desert Planet Level:

“Trek Across the Desert Planet” is a late intermediate to early advanced piano solo in 6/4 time.  The rhythms explore both the 2-2-2 and 3-3 subdivisions to create a consistent loping, walking pace.  And, swinging the eighth notes throughout gives the feel of travelling by animal vs. a more speedy form of transportation.

• Mode: G minor (key signature)
• Time Signature: 6/4
• Concepts: elements of 7th through 13th chords, cross-rhythms (2 over 3), ledger lines (up 3), changing rhythm subdivisions (2-2-2, 3-3), variation of country swing accompaniment, triplets (accompaniment, arpeggiated, both hand together)

This piece was inspired by a variation of a chord progression John Williams has used to create a playful feel even with a minor mode.  I was also inspired by elements of how he used fourths in the main title theme from a galaxy far, far away.

The smallest notes are triplet eighth notes.

The 6/4 time signature created a wonderful opportunity for students to move between subdivisions.  The 2-2-2 subdivision was ideal for an animal walking along and created a more tranquil feel.  Combining the 3-3 subdivision with triplets added a driving, mysterious mood for an otherwise laidback piano solo.  However, keeping the swing eighth notes throughout keeps the piece grounded in its laid-back country swing genre.

Much of the piece is designed for easier playing at this level so your students can focus on moving between the subdivisions seamlessly.

In the accompaniment, there are nods to walking bass lines to connect chords (ranging from 7th through 13th).  In addition, arpeggiated triplets and driving repeated notes round out the accompaniment patterns.  Each creates transitions between tranquil, mysterious, and bold moods throughout the piece.

Trek Across the Desert Planet Bonus:

All sheet music comes with original cover art.  “Trek Across the Desert Planet” comes with tips for your students to master the piece.

More About “May The Fourth” Collection:

“Trek Across the Desert Planet” 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.