Suggestions of level 6 plus pieces for advancing 6 year old student

[hyrst]

I have a talented little student of 6 years of age.  I have not had a student like her before at such a young age.  I have had older students who have been fast learners, but they have had larger hands and the ability to choose pieces for themselves, even if I have lent them books and made suggestions.  She is only little, I don't want to wear her out, and her hands only reach a 7th at a stretch.  I am looking for advice and suggestions of repertoire. 

Her reading is good, but she still misses accidentals and is still getting used to common black and white key patterns (although she can play all the major and harmonic minor scales).  I need to develop this with her, and am not sure if I need a systematic approach or if it will come with experience.  Any opinions?   

She is a child and needs to play pieces interesting for children.  She enjoys playing Classical pieces, but plays most beautifully sections that are a little more dolce.  The rest is technically and rhythmically correct, but the passion comes out in the other stuff.  She hasn't played anything longer than 5 pages, and usually plays 2 pages.  I am hesitant to give her long pieces, or pieces that are in a sense too mature, but she hasn't been phased by what I have given her so far.  I guess I am worried about giving too much work to her.  I am not sure when to pass this point.  Do you think it appropriate to give a child Haydn Sonatas and things like that?

Anyway, I am looking for suggestions of pieces that would be fun or sound good to a 6 year old.  Her hand span is small.  Every week she learns three pieces at level 4 to 5 (as rated in PianoStreet) with correct tempo, dynamics, technique and good interpretation.  A few have taken two weeks at level 5.  Thus far I have played through pieces and chosen them for her according to the techniques she would be learning, the chord demands and the likely interest.  Now she is basically ready for more advanced pieces, I am feeling a little out of my depth.  I know there are a lot of pieces I am unfamiliar with and I can't play through them all to find the best - not at her rate of learning.  Can anyone make suggestions, please?

What are some of the pieces young, talented kids typically play?  The pieces need to be level 5 upwards. 
She has already played most pieces from Schumann's and from Tchaikowsky's Album for the Young,
some Bach Inventions,
several Clementi Sonatinas,
half of Grieg's Lyric pieces
and random pieces from others. 
So, she has done the usual selections from the children's albums and Sonatinas and things.  Still, I can double check any suggestions from these - but other suggestions would be most helpful.  Her recent favourite was Song of the Lark by Tchaikowsky.

Thanks for your help.
Annah

[tsagari]

Hello
These are my suggestions:
Granados 12 Spanish Dances Oriental no2, and no 5 (however this is fast)
Mozart Sonata K 545 1st and 2nd Movement, Rondo 485. Also the second part of some Mozart Sonatas are dolce and very nice like K283 in G major.
Beethoven Fur Elize
Medellson Gondola Song in A minor (this is not part of the Songs without Words)
Bach Prelude in C no 1
List Consolation no 3
Shumman Kinderszenen op. 15 no. 7 Dreaming
Shubert Moment Musicaux no 4, Improptu opus 90 no3 and 4
Scarlatti Sonata K 380
plus some Chonip like Waltzes and prellude op 28 no.4 & 7
I hope these are not too difficult, if I think anything else I will post 

[hyrst]

Thank you very much for your suggestions.  She has played several of these, but many are new ideas - and good ones.  Several I haven't been familiar with, so I will play through them.  There is a mix of periods, too, which is great.  I really appreciate the ideas.  I would be grateful if you write down any more if you come up with any more ideas, too.  Thank you
Annah

[musicrebel4u]

Wow! Such a great little pianist!
Please, look at these pieces. Maybe, some would be interesting for her.
-https://www.doremifasoft.com/pire4.html

[hyrst]

Thank you Lenka.
There are some nice pieces in this, a couple of them might be worthwhile for the development of counter-voicing.  However, they sound like they are probably too easy for her.  Do you have any higher level ones?  Thank you, though.

She certainly is a privilege to work with.  A little scary in a way.  With such talent I really want the best for her.  She is a delightful little girl with so much potential.

[amanfang]

Hyrst,

Are you familiar with Jane Magrath's "The Pianist's Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature" reference book?  That would give you a lot of ideas.

[slobone]

Medellson Gondola Song in A minor (this is not part of the Songs without Words)

It isn't? It's in the collection I have. Unless he wrote more than one gondola song.

As a matter of fact, I was going to suggest doing a bunch of the Songs Without Words. They're mostly not too hard, they're short, and they're a natural if she likes dolce!

I'm a little surprised to see Grieg's Lyric Pieces on her list, I thought they were harder than that.

And of course I always suggest Bartok's Mikrokosmos for beginners, but I don't think I'm making many converts... For her I'd suggest one of the later volumes, not sure which. She might even be ready for Vol. 6.

[hyrst]

Thanks Amanfang, I hadn't heard of that book before.  I had a quick look on Amazon.  It sounds like it might be worth getting - if I can find a supplier in Australia.

Thanks Slobone,
I am looking through the Mendelssohn Songs Without Words.  I think I will take her through those soon.  I have selected a couple of the slower ones with arpeggios to start off.

The Lyric pieces average level 5 and 6, there are  a few 4 and 7.  She hasn't been able to play all of them because some of the stretches are too awkward.  She has enjoyed what she played, though.  She makes these pieces look easy - it's not fair!  LOL!

Unfortunately, I don't understand Bartok's style, so I would be at a loss to help her with these.  Maybe I should get up the courage to learn some Bartok myself. 


I'm beginnign to get a plan together.  Thanks

[dorfmouse]

A couple of ideas;

She might well love Martinu's "Loutky' ("Puppets: Little Pieces for Piano"). They are charming and lyrical and by no means easy-peasy! Published by Bärenreiter. I especially love the Waltz of a Sentimental Puppet which is in volume 3.

Or Ibert's "Le Petit Ane Blanc "(The Little White Donkey) .. should be irresistible for a talented 6 year old!

[hyrst]

They sound like fun   Thanks. 

[tsagari]

I just want to correct the Key of the Medellson piece. It is A major not minor and also another name for this piece is "Gondellied". Please tell me how I can attach mp3s and acrobate files so I can post it here.