Looking for practice material

[Grey Loki]

Hey all,

I've got a question about practice material, but first, a little background info:

I've been taught keyboards all my life (right hand playing, to a left hand chordal backing :(), and have recently branched out into piano. My music reading isn't particularly brilliant (about grade four), but my technique is closer to grade six (or so says my piano teacher). We've been running through one of the piano books i've managed to pick up over the years, and we both think it's time for some new music. At the moment, the only major piece i'm learning is the Moonlight Sonata's first movement. I want to learn more of this sort of 'genre' of classical music - stately, impressive-sounding, etc - like the Rach Prelude in C#m; that sort of thing. I've also started listening to a lot of Joplin - I quite like the sound of the Maple Leaf Rag, and the like.

I was wondering, if anyone had any suggestions for a book of classical and/or ragtime sheet music that would be appropriate for someone of my current skill level?

Thanks in advance.

[Arda]

Maybe Mozart's Ronda Alla Turca? This is first classical piece i played. I like it :)

[Premetheus37]

I love the Maple Leaf Rag. It's one of my favorite Joplin pieces. The second section works great for a quick ragtime solo in the middle of a heavy jam.

You can actually find easier versions of the Maple Leaf Rag online (I remember finding one in G a while ago). The one I found was very easy, and I learned it in no time (I'm no great reader either).

Just look around in a couple of places. I know some people don't like easier versions of certain songs, but it's still very close to the original.

~Premetheus

[Grey Loki]

I've actually just taken a look at the Maple Leaf Rag in Ab, and it's not that difficult for me - i'm going to go with this for the time being.

Please - don't stop the suggestions!

[Staccato]

Rustle of Spring... That is a guite hard piece, but really beautiful, I played it before.. love it!:)