Active Listening With 5 Famous Piano Pieces Inspired by Autumn

If you've read some of my previous blog posts, you know I am a big fan of incorporating active listening activities into lessons. Not only does it give teachers the opportunity to introduce students to a variety of musical styles, it also creates the opportunity to discuss topics like musical form, interpretation, technique, and artistic expression...just to name a few. 

So today I am sharing 5 famous piano pieces in a variety of styles that were all inspired by the season of autumn. I hope these pieces inspire your students and encourage musical discussion in your lessons this month!

Keep reading for video links to these famous pieces...

---

Here are a few questions for your students to ponder as they listen to the pieces below:

1. What sights, sounds, or feelings associated with autumn does this piece bring to mind for you?

2. How did the composer use the elements below to represent autumn through music? 

• Melody
• Harmony
• Rhythm
• Tempo
• Dynamics

3. What story do you think the composer is trying to communicate through this piece?
​

5 Piano Pieces Inspired by Autumn

1. In Autumn - Amy Beach

2. November - Fanny Mendelssohn

3. Feuilles mortes (Dead Leaves) - Claude Debussy

4. Autumn Leaves (jazz standard) - performed by Roger Williams

5. Thanksgiving - George Winston

Do you have a favorite autumn-themed piano piece? Let us know in the comments!