Castle Tales, Vol. 3: Cathedrals. A Collection for Early Intermediate to Intermediate, Studio License. Piano Sheet Music

You might know that I love Castles, Medieval sounding tunes, and adventure!

Castle Tales Vol. 3, was inspired by my recent visit to Ireland, where I performed my piece, Dublin Daydream, in Christ Church Cathedral, IN Dublin!  I was struck by how beautiful it was - the surroundings, the acoustics, the music; and I was struck by how that made me feel.  I love creating music that describe emotions, and I wondered - could I recreate these feelings and sounds at home by using Medieval sounding melodies, interesting rhythms and different techniques with the Sustain pedal?  Or, Could I imagine what adventures that might happen in a Cathedral? Like the piece “Stone Eyes, Watching Me” was inspired by the Gargoyles I saw at Christ Church - they seemed to be watching me everywhere I went.  Or, as I walked into the dark corners of this ancient building - I wondered, what kind of secrets were whispered here? 

Let your students also imagine these thoughts and feelings. What story can they imagine from the title? What mood does each piece suggest? Is there a sound difference by using different articulations while the pedal is held? Let them explore! The more creative, the better!

Titles:  Secrets in the Shadows, Stone Eyes- Watching Me,  Angels Around Us, Space to Breathe, Dreams in Ruins, and Celebration Day!

Level: Intermediate , RCM 3 - 4 equivalent (Early Intermediates will enjoy the nice challenge of these fun pieces!)

How long: 25 pages: 18 pages music + Covers to all pieces included at the end for easy printing.

Secrets in the Shadows:  The piece begins with Open 5ths with even rhythm eighth notes that “chatter” between the hands - maybe like a rumor that’s just getting started…  The clashing harmonies create tension - building a sense of urgency. When the melody emerges in m. 9, the staccato notes played while the Sustain pedal is used, creates a bell tone like sound - let it sparkle!  This is also a great piece to work on syncopation, since the melody notes are “off the beat”. 

Key: A Natural Natural Minor with occasional accidentals

Time signature: 4/4  BPM: 162 - 184.

Skill development: Steady Eighth note pattern between hands, Right hand syncopated melody rhythm - notice the linear melody also occurs in various articulations, Left hand steady beat quarter note accompaniment with some Octaves, Practice recognizing patterns that occur in various Keyboard geography and wide Dynamic range - from Forte to Subito Piano!

What level: Early Intermediate - Intermediate.

How long: Cover + 3 pages, Performance time 01:30. 

Stone Eyes - Watching Me: Have you ever seen Gargoyles? When I was walking around Christ Church Cathedral, I seem to notice them everywhere - and I couldn’t escape that feeling… like they were watching my every move.  It almost made me want to run away! Take time to think about this piece - what makes it sound scary?  BTW, Do you know why Gargoyles are on buildings? At first, I thought it was just to scared folks, but they actually have a purpose. They are down spouts to carry the water away from the walls of the building, protecting it from damage! 

Key: F Natural Natural Minor

Time signature: 4/4  BPM: 144.

Skill development: Syncopation, Counting eighth rests, LH steady quarters with a “4 on the Floor” beat,  Accents, Dynamics add to the drama.

What level: Early Intermediate - Intermediate.

How long: Cover + 3 pages, Performance time 01:30. 

Angels Around Us:  “Softly moves the Spirit of those we can not see”…

Do you ever feel like there is a presence around you, that you can’t see? As I walked around the ancient cathedral, I felt like there must be Angels there: watching me, comforting me, and guiding me. I imagined they felt joy, maybe like they were dancing with me; but at the same time - they were sad I couldn’t see them. 

This mysterious Waltz is gives us time to listen and ponder. It’s beautiful, lyrical Right hand melody sings, while the Left hand accompaniment in 5ths moves only slightly.

Key: G Natural Natural Minor

Time signature: 3/4  BPM: 156.

Skill development: Minimalistic harmonies with drone like LH. Open 5ths with LH movement, 3/4 time with a dancing feeling, minor key makes it feel mysterious - maybe sad? Like we need reassurance or protection from the Angels.  Let the melody sing.  Repetition of the melody accompanied by LH in different octaves is a reinforcing pattern. Make sure to shape the phrases to bring out the beautiful melody.

What level: Early Intermediate 

How long: Cover + 3 pages, Performance time 01:40. 

Space to Breathe: Busy. Busy. Busy.  Everyone is so busy these days - just stop! 

As I walked around the Cathedral, I stopped to admire the gorgeous stained glass windows. Even though, we were in the middle of a busy tour - I was so taken with their beauty that I stopped for several minutes to just admire. 

I noticed that students have a hard time waiting…. Encourage them to really wait during the fermatas.  Be expressive with this beautiful, lyrical piece. 

Key: E Major

Time signature: 3/4  BPM: 92

Skill development: The whole point of this one is to let the sound “hang” in space - which is difficult for kids - they love to rush right through. Wait on the fermatas, sweet melody, LH some 1 - 5 - 3 patterns which can be tricky - good thing it’s slow.

What level:  Intermediate.

How long: Cover + 3 pages, Performance time 02:10. 

Dreams in Ruins:  This one almost feels like a Chopin Nocturne - Beautiful and very dramatic! Includes a Rubato Cadenza before the last return of the A section. A definite showstopper for your Intermediate student.

Key: C Natural Natural Minor with occasional accidentals

Time signature: 4/4  BPM: 82

Skill development: This is most dramatic one! has a classical feel - like Chopin, Sixteenth notes, dramatic RH melody line, LH Octaves with jump to chords - but it’s slow, Rubato Cadenza before the return of A, great opportunity for expressive lyrical playing.

What level:  Intermediate.

How long: Cover + 3 pages, Performance time 02:30. 

Celebration Day: And now, for a bit of fun! I wanted to end this collection on a happy note! Why does this piece belong in a Medieval based collection? Because it’s loosely based on the G Mixolydian church mode: The Ionian scale but with a flatten 7th. However, to me, this sounds more like a mixing of the Natural Minor and Major scale, with some interesting sounds.

Key: C Mixolydian Mode with occasional accidentals

Time signature: 4/4  BPM: 144.

Skill development: RH Octaves, Syncopated melody lines in both Right hand and  Left hand. More “4 on the Floor” beat, 

What level: Early Intermediate - Intermediate.

How long: Cover + 3 pages, Performance time 01:30.