International System of Units piano sheet music by Justin James is a contemporary solo piano work exploring grief, emotional transition and renewal through contrasting textures, rhythmic drive and expressive harmonic movement.
 
🎧 Listen to 30s audio sample
 
Quick Information
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Category: Solo Piano
Type: Original Composition – Character Piece / Emotional
Genre: Contemporary Classical
Style: Contemporary Narrative / Emotional Character Piece
Mood: Reflective • Intense • Restless • Hopeful
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: Grave. Holding On. → Vivo. Breaking Free.
BPM: ♩ = 100 → 200
Instrumentation: Solo Piano
Duration: Approx. 5–7 minutes
Focus: Left-hand control, rhythmic chordal playing, pedal containment, emotional phrasing, coordination
Format: Digital PDF Download (Solo Piano Score) + MP3 audio reference recording
 
About this Composition
International System of Units piano sheet music by Justin James is a contemporary piano solo exploring grief, emotional transition and psychological momentum through contrasting textures, rhythmic intensity and expressive harmonic writing.
 
Structured around two emotional states, the piece begins in a slow and reflective atmosphere marked Grave. Holding On., capturing the heaviness and emotional suspension often associated with loss. Sustained harmonies, spacious phrasing and restrained melodic movement create a sense of introspection and emotional weight.
 
As the work develops, the music shifts dramatically into a faster Vivo. Breaking Free. section, reflecting the uneasy momentum that can emerge during the early stages of moving forward. The contrast between these sections creates tension between attachment to the past and the uncertain movement toward renewal.
 
The left hand plays a central structural role throughout the piece, stabilising the flow and maintaining clarity beneath shifting rhythmic textures and right-hand chordal figures. Repetitive patterns and rhythmic gestures create energy and forward motion, while the pedal work shapes resonance and emotional atmosphere.
 
While the title references systems of measurement, the work itself reflects the impossibility of measuring emotional experience with precision. Instead, the music explores the ways people attempt to process grief, memory and emotional change over time.
 
For pianists, International System of Units piano sheet music develops left-hand control, rhythmic coordination, pedalling and expressive phrasing. It is well-suited to recital repertoire, contemporary programs and pianists exploring emotionally narrative modern piano works.
 
A Note from Justin
When we experience a sense of loss, we tend to try and measure the pain, almost replay traumatic things and try to make sense.
 
This title is a bit of a throwaway. We don’t measure our pain with an international system of units, but we do examine what happened and try to make sense of it. This happens with time.
 
This piece is all about two stages of grief. The slow, intense feelings of loss and the early stages of momentum, which can feel slightly fake, almost as if you are still tied to the old energy of the past, yet a new one is on the horizon.
 
This study requires the left hand to stabilise and control the flow without dominating, while the right hand plays short rhythmic chord figures and various patterns.
 
Ideal For
Recitals, contemporary piano repertoire, emotional performance programs and pianists exploring narrative-driven modern piano works.
Technical Focus
Left-hand stabilisation, rhythmic chordal playing, pedal containment, coordination between hands, expressive phrasing and dynamic control.
Performance Use
A contemporary emotional character piece exploring grief, transition and renewal through contrasting rhythmic and expressive textures.