Caravan

A stunning solo that evokes an image of a Bedouin caravan moving slowly through swirling desert sands. This highly effective piece falls into that sought–after category of pieces which sound hard, but are easy to learn. The R.H. melody stays within the limits of a gapped–scale, 5–finger pattern (C, Db, E, F, G), moving up or down in register for added color; the L.H. imitates the steady plodding of camels' hooves with an ostinato C – G in half notes. The mysterious mood is set with introductory and closing sections in blocked fifths. Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Level 3 (Late Elementary/Early Intermediate); 4/4; moderate tempo; good use of register shifts throughout; use of syncopated pedaling; accents; tenuto symbol; dynamics explore the quieter ranges of sound, from pp through mp.