Un-Halloween Piano Solos by Chrissy Ricker

Chrissy Ricker's top picks for a spooky mood without the overt Halloween theme to fit the needs of students of all levels in your studio!

Un-Halloween Piano Solos by Chrissy Ricker

Not everyone celebrates Halloween, so these “Un-Halloween” options from Chrissy Ricker will strike all the right spooky notes, without the overt Halloween theme.


1. “Into the Storm” (Late Beginner)

A mysterious solo for late beginners that captures the mood of a dark and stormy night! This pattern-based piece includes several techniques that give it a spooky sound: C minor five-finger patterns moving up and down the piano, short chromatic passages, and playing both hands 8vb. The use of patterns also makes this piece a great candidate for rote teaching.

This piece is part of the Easy Perfect Patterns songbook.


2. “Nemesis” (Late Beginner)

I love using intriguing vocabulary words as titles for my pieces, as this piece demonstrates! “Nemesis” depicts an epic, movie-style showdown between a hero and a villain. The repeated bass notes and driving melody will appeal to fans of scary music as well as students who love cinematic-style pieces.

Listen to “Nemesis”:

This piece is part of the Perfect Patterns songbook.


3. “Stealth Mode” (Early Intermediate)

A touch of mystery and a hint of jazz make this piece a student favorite. This sneaky solo gives students the opportunity to work on maintaining a steady bass line and playing both hands in the bass clef. Students and audiences alike will also enjoy the surprise ending!

This piece is part of the Let’s Quest: Volume 2 songbook.


4. “Daredevil” (Early Intermediate)

Just like the title suggests, this showstopping piece is sure to wow audiences! “Daredevil” gives students practice navigating quick position shifts, playing across a wide range of the keyboard, and crossing hand over hand. The minor key and syncopated rhythm add to the excitement of this recital-worthy solo.

Listen to “Daredevil”:

This piece is part of the Perfect Patterns songbook.


5. “Phoenix Rising” (Intermediate)

This dramatic piece depicts the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes. Fast broken chords and sweeping passagework combine to create a magical atmosphere that will appeal to intermediate students of all ages. The patterned nature of this piece also makes it sound more difficult than it is to play. 

This piece is part of the Let’s Quest: Volume 4 songbook.


👋 How about some awesome songbooks by Chrissy Ricker?


Chrissy Ricker
Written by Chrissy Ricker
Chrissy Ricker holds a Master’s degree in music with a concentration in piano performance and pedagogy from Meredith College in North Carolina and is also a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. She enjoys composing music that is educational, motivational, and just plain fun to play. Her piano music has been featured on the contest lists of many state and national organizations, including the National Federation of Music Clubs.

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