Off to Rathlin!

The challenge of this piece is controlling the crotchet quaver rhythms and the tied notes in bars 6 and 7.  A very confident approach is needed throughout.

 

Morning Mist

This is an exercise in elementary hand extensions.  The hand positions are very static, and you need to retain the hand position shape as you move.

 

Gannets Flying

This piece needs very accurate co-ordination between the hands.  The right hand clusters need to be played very firmly.  The main body of the piece is an exercise in keeping the 4th and 5th fingers of the right hand very even.  The right hand clusters need to be played very firmly.  The piece is much easier to play than it looks. 

 

Waves on the Sand

Another atmospheric piece requiring imaginative rubato and timing.  Feel each crotchet as a pulse, which in itself is flexible, containing 2,3,6,7 or 10 notes. 

 

Hare Running

This piece is a real workout for the left hand.  There needs to be strong control of the melody at bar 11, and of course the G major scale at the end.  Try using 4th finger on the F sharp to play this. 

 

Seal Swimming

This is an exercise in imaginative interpretation.  There is little guidance given to the pacing - the piece is written without strict notation, so try to imagine the movement of the seal underwater, swirling and twisting.

 

Puffins

The opening bars are again an exercise in co-ordination between the right and left hands.  Very even neat fingerwork is required for the right hand scales, and the left hand also needs lots of control for the staccato section at bar 12.

 

Sea Anemone

This piece needs to be played with much imaginative freedom of rubato.  Imagine the tentacles of the anemone gently waving, and the water gently sucking in and out of the rock pool.  You will learn to recognise two new notes on leger lines above the treble clef - Eb and Gb. 

 

Curlew Calling

This piece calls for very accurate co-ordination between the hands.  There are some additional challenges of cross rhythms.

 

The Ceilidh 

This is of course an exercise in controlled rhythmic flow with a very sure, regular pulse or groove.  It is also an exercise in playing staccato and staccatissimo - as short as possible. 

 

Sunset over Donegal

The challenge of the final piece is the control of the right hand fingerwork, and creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

 

Metronome markings are for optimum performance tempos, but performers are free to choose their own, appropriate to their own abilities.