A sparse and rhythmically driven contemporary piano solo by Australian composer Justin James, exploring internal pulse, tactile keyboard control and shifting emotional colour through percussive contemporary piano textures.
 
🎧 Listen to 30s audio sample
 
Quick Information
Level: Intermediate
Category: Solo Piano
Type: Original Composition – Contemporary Study / Character Piece
Genre: Contemporary Classical
Style: Percussive Contemporary Piano / Rhythm Study
Mood: Reflective • Mechanical • Melancholic • Atmospheric
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: Chilled
BPM: ♩ = 75
Instrumentation: Solo Piano
Duration: 5:35 mins
Focus: Internal pulse, repeat-note control, rolled octaves, rhythmic precision, tactile fluency
Format: Digital PDF Download (Solo Piano Score) + MP3 audio reference recording
 
About this Composition
Long Ticks Short Tocks piano sheet music by Justin James is a sparse contemporary piano solo exploring rhythm, repetition and emotional ambiguity through percussive keyboard textures and shifting harmonic colour.
 
Built around the idea of the body’s internal rhythmic clock, the piece alternates between major and minor tonalities, creating a subtle tension between melancholy and momentum. Repeated-note figures, spacious textures and carefully placed rhythmic gestures generate a mechanical yet expressive atmosphere that feels both reflective and slightly unsettled.
 
The composition uses contemporary chordal writing and rolled octave patterns to develop tactile fluency and rhythmic awareness at the keyboard. While minimal in texture, the music demands concentration and precision, particularly through the repeat-note figures that challenge fast-twitch coordination and touch consistency.
 
Throughout the work, the left hand maintains grounding and pulse while the right hand explores shifting colours and rhythmic fragmentation above the texture. The resulting sound world feels restrained yet emotionally unstable - balancing calmness with subtle confusion and tension.
 
The piece also reflects Justin’s ongoing interest in contemporary keyboard studies that combine technical development with programmatic atmosphere and modern harmonic movement.
 
For pianists, Long Ticks Short Tocks piano sheet music develops internal pulse control, rhythmic consistency, rolled octave fluency, repeat-note technique and tactile awareness. It is especially well suited to intermediate pianists exploring atmospheric contemporary piano repertoire and groove-based keyboard studies.
 
A Note from Justin
The long and short of it is ticks and tocks.
 
It’s all about our internal rhythmic clock.
 
This is a sparse composition with contemporary-style percussive chords and figures.
 
There are repeat-note figures to build on your fast-twitch skills.
 
We rotate between major and minor, creating a kind of confusion and melancholy.
 
Lots of rolled octaves make it a fabulous study for contemporary keyboard players.
 
 
Ideal For
Intermediate contemporary piano study, atmospheric recital repertoire, tactile keyboard development and pianists exploring rhythmic contemporary piano writing.
Technical Focus
Repeat-note control, rolled octaves, rhythmic precision, tactile fluency, internal pulse, coordination and harmonic contrast.
Performance Use
A sparse contemporary piano work combining percussive textures, rhythmic atmosphere and shifting emotional colour through controlled repetition and touch.