Find a Moment in Nature is a collection of 12 piano solos suitable for pianists that are Grade 4 - 5 / Intermediate and above.  
 
Each piece has been carefully composed to promote piano technique, musicality and well-being.  The theme of the collection is taking time out in nature, whether that is Passing Time in an Ancient Woodland, Following the Forest Path, or Relaxing by the River; each piece focuses on playing and hearing relaxing piano pieces that boost your mood as you progress on your musical journey.  

 
A Moment in Nature by Catherine Wilson is thoughtful and calming with a soothing air of optimism.
 
The right hand motifs evoke a feeling of reflection that is balanced by the stillness of the left hand chords, but halfway through this is contrasted by the flowing quavers / eighth notes that create a sense of movement and excitement before returning to the original stillness of the start.
 
Features: Three note chords, right hand motifs, left hand ostinato-style passages
 
Focus: To work on chords placement, legato playing, phrasing

 
Mist Covered Mountains is atmospheric, dream-like with a mesmerizing feel.
 
The four bar repeating ostinato-style left hand quaver / eighth note pattern creates a soothing layer for the right hand open fifths and fragmented motifs to drift over.
 
Features: Left hand ostinato, open fifths, continuous quavers / eighth notes
 
Focus: To build left hand stamina, rhythmic co-ordination, phrasing

 
Passing Time in an Ancient Woodland has a sense of nostalgia and history with allusions to a different time.  
 
The modal key helps to create an oldy-worldy quality, while the contrasting sections of spirited and more graceful melodies help convey the idea of past battles fought and romantic liaisons pursued.
 
Features: Syncopation, open fifths, passages of right hand quavers / eighth notes
 
Focus: To work on rhythm, coordination, maintaining consistent pulse

 
Walking by Water is contemplative, uplifting and has an atmospheric feel.  
 
The pianistic left hand patterns evoke the movement of the waves while the lyrical right hand melody and arpeggiated chords create the narrative.
 
Features: Hand crossing, spread / arpeggiated chords, pianistic left hand patterns
 
Focus: To work on spatial awareness, chord placement, coordination

 
Following the Forest Path is nostalgic, contemplative and has an air of quiet determination.
 
The moments of stillness created by the spaces between motifs at the start are contrasted by sudden bursts of movement created by quaver / eighth note passages that convey a sense of perseverance along the journey.
 
Features: Syncopation, repetition, rhythmic motifs
 
Focus: To work on rhythm, co-ordination, maintaining a consistent tempo

 
Relaxing by the River is atmospheric, dream-like and has a peaceful feel.  
 
The pianistic left hand patterns evoke the movement of water, while the lyrical right hand melody (incorporating two note motifs repeated over a range of three octaves), emulates the expansiveness of the river.
 
Features: Octave higher repetitions, lyrical melody, pianistic left hand patterns
 
Focus: To work on spatial awareness, expressive playing, stamina

 
In the Company of Bluebells is dream-like, optimistic and uplifting.
 
There are echoes of church bells peeling to be heard in the streams of quaver / eighth note passages that are contrasted with the joyous sounding moments of syncopation.
 
Features: Octave higher repetitions, syncopation, portato 
 
Focus: To work on spatial awareness, rhythm, articulation

 
Waiting for the Tide to Turn is optimistic and uplifting with a peaceful lilting feel.
 
The left hand ostinato conveys a sense of movement reminiscent of the tide while the right hand contrasts the use of flowing semi-quaver / sixteenth note motifs with octave jumps of major second chords that evoke the crashing and falling of the waves.
 
Features: Left hand ostinato, major 2nd chords, octave jumps
 
Focus: To work on stamina, spatial awareness, finger dexterity

 
Weeping Beneath the Willow is poignant, reflective with an air of hopefulness.
 
The rhythmic repetition of crotchets / quarter notes in the left hand helps ground the flowing right quaver / eighth notes and triplet descending motifs in the right hand that convey an air of sadness.  The key change from minor to relative major in the final section lifts the mood and the ascending motif near the end conveys an even greater feel that everything will be alright!
 
Features: Descending motifs, triplets, repetition
 
Focus: To work on finger dexterity, maintaining a consistent tempo, evenness of tone.

 
Evergreen Shadows is atmospheric, hypnotic with a mysterious feel.  
 
The four bar melody is repeated with embellishments towards the middle of the piece, then unwinds back to where it started to mimic the changes of shadows cast throughout the day.
 
Features: Hand crossing, evolving minimalist motifs, repetition
 
Focus: To work on spatial awareness, coordination, stamina

 
A Time For Growth is peaceful, nostalgic, and has a mesmerizing feel.
 
The minimalist motifs in the right hand are supported by the flowing ostinato-style left hand.
 
Features: Rhythmic repetition, range of 5 octaves, minimalist style motifs
 
Focus: Spatial awareness, consistent tempo, coordination

 
As the Leaves Begin to Fall is poignant, nostalgic and has a reflective air.
 
The flowing quavers / eighth note and triplet motifs in the right hand that mimic the falling of the leaves are contrasted by the crotchet / quarter note ostinato-style left hand that helps ground them and convey a sense of majestic grandeur befitting the journey of the trees in their seasonal cycle.
 
Features: Ostinato, triplets, repetition
 
Focus: To work on rhythm, finger dexterity, maintaining a consistent speed

 
Total number of pages in book:  48
 
Listen to Find a Moment in Nature here