Free printable guide
A Piano Teacher's Guide to the Ocean Tails Music Catalogue
Music your students will actually want to play — sorted by level and by what you're trying to accomplish with them.
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Choosing repertoire for a busy studio is hard. This guide walks through the Ocean Tails Music catalogue the way a piano teacher actually thinks about it — by level and by what you're trying to do with a student. Six series, Prep through Level 6, all Conservatory Canada listed where noted.
Everything below is also available as a free, printable PDF — no sign-up required.
Looking for the shorter version? Read the announcement for the story behind this guide, or keep scrolling for the full breakdown.
Ocean Tails — Prep to Level 1
Image-rich, modal pieces with natural hand positions and genuine musical interest — the kind of early pieces that make students sound good right away and want to come back to the piano.
- Ideal for
- early elementary students of any age
- Focus
- patterns, modes, learning moments
- Great for
- teachers who don't want age-targeted music, recitals, exams
Conservatory Canada pieces
- Two Banana Slugs
- Stroll Through Beacon Hill
Animal Bus — Levels 2 to 4
Distinct character pieces across a range of styles — built for the "I'm bored of my method book" moments, with countless learning opportunities packed in.
- Ideal for
- elementary students of any age
- Focus
- variety, musicianship
- Great for
- developing essential skills, fun supplementary repertoire, recitals, exams
Conservatory Canada pieces
- Highland Pony Song
- Swans' Pas de Deux
- Bullero
- Cinnamon Bear Boogie
- The Castaway
- The Fox's Fiddle
- The Raven's Wish
Cottage Country — Levels 4 to 6
Expressive, melodic pieces inspired by lakeside living in Ontario — the kind of repertoire students connect with emotionally, not just technically. A reliable choice for a recital closer.
- Ideal for
- late elementary to early intermediate students, especially teens and adults
- Focus
- mood, musicality, expression
- Great for
- expanding skills, developing musical style, performance and exam repertoire
Conservatory Canada pieces
All pieces included — see the full exam repertoire list
Piano for the Planet — Multi-Level
Thoughtful, varied pieces offering learning opportunities across several levels — a collection that weaves the joy of learning new music together with the hope we share for our planet.
- Ideal for
- primary to early advanced players of any age
- Focus
- many styles, tempi, time and key signatures (up to 2 sharps/3 flats)
- Great for
- themed recitals and performance classes, inspiring repertoire
Duets & Ensembles — Levels 1 to 5
Equal-difficulty duets — no one gets stuck playing the "boring" part. Shared melodic material means both students are equally invested in the outcome.
- Ideal for
- elementary to intermediate students of any age
- Focus
- wide variety of pedagogically-sound music, motivating and fun to play
- Great for
- developing ensemble skills and fostering community in your studio
Wee Songs for Improv & Creativity — Primary to Level 6
Wee Songs for Improv & Creativity shows students of any age how to get creative and improvise at the piano.
- Ideal for
- students of any age who are ready to get creative at the piano
- Focus
- melodic improvisation, creativity
Conservatory Canada pieces
Vol. 1 — Changing Chimes, Ancient Woods, Creepy Cave, Groovy Elf, Fairy Lullaby, Toadstool Leaps
Vol. 2 — The Weathered Path, Warm Memories, Gathering Bluebells, Welcoming a New Day
Vol. 3 — Cherished
See the full exam repertoire list for details.
Quick Picks by Goal
Already know what the student needs? Start here.
"I need a recital piece."
Look at Ocean Tails, Animal Bus or Cottage Country first.
Browse Ocean Tails"I need exam or study-list repertoire."
Look for collections that list Conservatory Canada pieces — check the piece lists for your student's level.
View exam repertoire list"I need to motivate a stuck student."
A duet from Duets & Ensembles, or a character piece from Animal Bus.
Browse Duets & Ensembles"I want to teach improvisation."
Start with Wee Songs for Improv & Creativity.
Browse Wee Songs"I want one purchase that serves my whole studio."
Look for the studio license option on any series page.
Shop series
Teacher questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy the whole collection, or can I pick individual pieces?+
Most books are available as full collections — duets and ensembles are sold individually as sheet music, and Wee Songs for Improv & Creativity has four separate collections at different levels.
What's the difference between a single-user license and a studio license?+
A single-user license is for individual use. It permits one digital copy and one printed of the music. A studio license, available on select titles, covers multiple students in your studio — one purchase, no per-student repurchasing.
Are these pieces suitable for exams?+
Many are. Look for the "Conservatory Canada pieces" listed under each series above, or see the full exam repertoire list.
Can I preview a piece before assigning it to a student?+
Yes — most pieces have audio or video previews on YouTube, and you can try a curated selection for free with the sampler.
How is this guide different from the blog post about it?+
The blog post is a quick overview with a story behind why the guide exists. This page is the full reference — every series, level range, and teaching focus in one place, plus the printable PDF.
All PDFs are instant downloads — print at home or any print shop, tablet-friendly viewing. Studio licenses are available on select titles for use with multiple students. Listen to pieces on YouTube before you assign them.