- Level: Intermediate to Late Intermediate
- Pages: 7 pages, 5 pages of music, cover art included!
- Style: Passionate; Reflective
- Format: PDF instant download
- Studio License Bonus: Free mp3 of the piece without any voiceovers
Living in a culture that glorifies busyness and a full calendar means that making decisions about slowing down or choosing not to do everything feels very much like you’re moving against the current. This piece paints an aural picture of not pushing against that current – but stepping out of it. Living more centered and intentionally amidst a rushed and chaos-driven environment. Even during the “busy” parts of this piece, there is a calming presence – the peace we feel when we know we’re doing the right thing, even when it means stepping out of the current.
What level is Stepping Out of the Current?
Stepping Out of the Current is a mid to late intermediate piece. Though it sounds complex, it falls comfortably under the hands, and uses repeated patterns that make the use of many notes easier to undertake. The smallest note value is a sixteenth note. Pedaling is indicated throughout. The piece is written in a minor, with accidentals written throughout for the B section. Helpful fingerings are included.
The piece is in 4/4, with one brief measure of 2/4. This piece is a wonderful way to teach students to keep going on a piece, even if they make a mistake. Even if the notes aren’t played perfectly during the left hand crossovers, the piece still sounds lovely, and creates a feel of perpetual motion that will help students who may struggle with stopping when a mistake is made.
The piece is reminiscent of Liszt, but is much easier and falls easily under even small hands.
Stepping Out of the Current Includes a Free mp3 Performance
In addition to receiving the music and the cover (this is always included for ComposeCreate® pieces), you’ll also receive a free mp3 recording of Stepping Out of the Current performed by Wendy Stevens. This recording does not have any voiceovers so it will helpful for you and students in learning the piece. You are permitted to send this recording to your students who are working on the piece.
What is the studio License?
Stepping Out of the Current is delivered digitally (through your email receipt) and is studio licensed. This means that you can print and use these for any student that you directly teach for your entire lifetime of teaching.
Valerie Alfonso –
This gives a wonderful accessibility without too many hidden technical challenges for the intermediate student! It fits so nicely within the hands! I am planning to play this as my “teacher piece” for my next recital.😍
Kelly –
Fantastic piece!! I have a teenager who can play technically difficult classical pieces, but with a busy school schedule (and occasional lack of motivation to work hard 😉) doesn’t always want to tackle the big pieces. She is LOVING this piece, with it’s big, Liszt sounding fast runs up and down, and sight read the whole thing the first week!
Sherryl-Lee –
One of my senior students has just started learning Stepping Out of the Current this past week. She is LOVING it – especially the fast-paced sextuplets!!!!
Mary Ann –
Stepping Out of the Current has become a favorite piece in my studio! Great way for students to “show off” their fast fingers!
CynDee –
I have a junior high school girl who also plays for the jazz band. She loves arranging her pieces, and has been especially inspired by Wendy’s pieces. “Longing for Change” was too much of a challenge for her, though she loves it. “Stepping out of the Current” has been perfect. It sounds mature enough to appeal to her, but it’s not too difficult to play.
Helen –
When I discovered how fast this piece was supposed to go, I didn’t really expect my student to actually accomplish that. However, after hearing the recording of Wendy playing it, she came back the next week (2 weeks into the piece) with most of it up to tempo! Again, I’m impressed with how Wendy creates such patterns that give students almost instant success!
Heidi –
Great piece! I have a student working on it and she is really improving relaxing her wrists playing this! Just what I (we) needed!
Susan –
Subtle but active in technical with a moving melody