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Songbook Review: Accidental Etudes
Milana Zilnik
Cover image of the songbook Accidental Etudes by Milana Zilnik
Accidental Etudes
Milana Zilnik
2015 / Milana Zilnik & Artyom Tchebotaryov
85 pages / 14 songs
Review by Kathy Parsons
Accidental Etudes is the companion sheet music book to Milana’s 2014 recording by the same name. The book contains thirteen of the eighteen tracks from the album plus a bonus score, “Moonlight Stroll,” a piece that has not yet been released on an album. All of the scores were transcribed by Milana and her husband; then I proofed and edited them. The book has beautiful full-color covers on the front and back. The book is not spiral bound, but should be fairly easy to break in. Milana rated each of the pieces on a scale of 1-3 levels of difficulty (1 is easiest) and categorized each piece’s genre (“soft rock,” “neo-classical trance,” etc.). I wouldn’t call of the pieces easy (elementary), but they are not overly advanced either. Most pianists at an early-advanced playing level should be able to master this music with some practice, and several of the pieces are easier than that. The layout of each piece is roomy and easy-to-read, printed on bright white paper stock. Dynamics are clearly marked and metronome settings are included. This is a beautiful book that will give Milana’s pianistic fans many hours of enjoyment! It is available in printed book form from Amazon and Milana’s site or for download from milana.ws. Recommended!

The song titles, the difficulty levels Milana gave them, the keys they are in, and the number of pages are:

Accidental etude (2) - Key of C (0 sharps or flats) - 4 1/2 pages
Winds and Tides (1) - Key of C - 5 1/2 pages
Feel my pain (3) - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - 5 pages
I won’t give up (1) - Key of A minor (0 sharps or flats) - 5 pages
Heart of stone (1) - Key of D minor (1 flat) - 5 pages
Storms in my soul (3) - Key of Eb/C minor (3 flats) - 7 pages
Rushing for the fortune (2) - Key of D minor - 4 pages
When I am in love (2) - Key of C - 8 pages
Dancing with Hades (1) - Key of E minor - 5 pages
When I can’t fly (3) - Key of A minor - 8 pages
Uneasy etude (1) - Key of D minor - 5 pages
Waltz of a dying candle (2) - Key of D minor - 6 pages
Out of the dark (2) - Key of E minor / D minor - 8 pages
Moonlight stroll (1) - Key of A minor - 4 1/2 pages
June 26, 2015
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