Compsognathus: Tiny Explorer. Solo
$9.00
Part of The Dinosaur Files: Music, Discovery, and Creativity for Young Explorers
Meet Compsognathus: Tiny Explorer, a lively Elementary piano solo inspired by one of the smallest dinosaurs ever discovered. Quick, curious, and always on the move, Compsognathus invites students to imagine exploring prehistoric trails, investigating hidden clues, and making exciting discoveries along the way.
This energetic piece helps students develop confidence reading notes above the staff, navigating changing hand roles, and following musical road signs such as D.C. al Coda. Light, agile patterns and dynamic contrasts encourage careful listening while reinforcing keyboard awareness and musical independence.
The adventure continues beyond the music with included Explorer Training activities and a Dinosaur Discovery page. Students investigate high notes, follow musical maps, experiment with sound, and learn fascinating facts about this remarkable little dinosaur while strengthening creativity and musical understanding.
Wondering what it sounds like?
Important Details
Level: Elementary
Key: E Minor
Time Signature: 4/4
Character: Curious • Energetic • Adventurous
Length: 2 pages
Performance Time: Approximately 1:30
Pedagogical Value
- Developing confidence reading notes above the staff
- Strengthening keyboard geography and upper-register awareness
- Building independence between the hands
- Introducing musical navigation using D.C. al Coda and coda signs
- Exploring dynamic contrasts and expressive playing
- Encouraging creativity through musical exploration and discovery activities
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to think like explorers searching for clues hidden in the music.
- Use the high notes as an opportunity to strengthen note-reading confidence beyond the staff.
- Reinforce musical road signs by tracing the route through the piece before playing.
- Practice the changing hand roles separately, then combine them to help students hear how the musical conversation unfolds.
- Extend learning with the included Explorer Training pages, where students investigate musical clues, follow maps, and create their own musical discoveries.
What’s Included
- Compsognathus: Tiny Explorer piano solo, 2 pages
- Explorer Training & Discovery, 2 pages
Studio License Included: Purchase once and print for all the students in your private teaching studio. Files may not be shared outside your studio.
Compsognathus: Tiny Explorer
Part of The Dinosaur Files: Music, Discovery, and Creativity for Young Explorers
Meet Compsognathus: Tiny Explorer, a lively Elementary piano solo inspired by one of the smallest dinosaurs ever discovered. Quick, curious, and always on the move, Compsognathus invites students to imagine exploring prehistoric trails, investigating hidden clues, and making exciting discoveries along the way.
Wondering what it sounds like?
1 review for Compsognathus: Tiny Explorer. Solo
You may also like…
Black Knight’s Ride, Solo
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Black-Knights-Ride-1.mp3"][/audio] Black Knight’s Ride, Solo
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Black-Knights-Ride-1.mp3"][/audio]
Galactic Adventures Collection
Launch young pianists into a universe of musical fun with Galactic Adventures, a show-stopping collection of eight short recital pieces designed for elementary to late elementary students. Each piece in the set is styled differently — from lyrical space wanderings to rhythmic planetary pops — so students can explore a variety of techniques and expressive ideas while staying grounded in approachable material. This collection is perfect for recitals, festivals, or studio goals that encourage confidence and versatility - they especially make great Choice pieces for NFMC Festivals.
Titles in this collection:
Path to Destiny, Eclipse of the Moon, Wormhole Wonders, Intruder Alert! Alone in the Galaxy, Space Walk, Sweet Reflections, and Lost in Time.
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galactic-Adventures-all-songs.mp3"][/audio] Galactic Adventures Collection
Launch young pianists into a universe of musical fun with Galactic Adventures, a show-stopping collection of eight short recital pieces designed for elementary to late elementary students. Each piece in the set is styled differently — from lyrical space wanderings to rhythmic planetary pops — so students can explore a variety of techniques and expressive ideas while staying grounded in approachable material. This collection is perfect for recitals, festivals, or studio goals that encourage confidence and versatility - they especially make great Choice pieces for NFMC Festivals.
Titles in this collection:
Path to Destiny, Eclipse of the Moon, Wormhole Wonders, Intruder Alert! Alone in the Galaxy, Space Walk, Sweet Reflections, and Lost in Time.
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galactic-Adventures-all-songs.mp3"][/audio]Related products
Echoes in the Canyon, Solo
Echoes in the Canyon invites young pianists to step into the wide-open spaces of the frontier with a lyrical melody that seems to “echo” off unseen canyon walls. Written in an easy Middle C hand position with minimal left-hand notes, this elementary solo gives students a rich, spacious sound while introducing expressive sustain pedal use and focused listening skills.
Key Info
• Key & Hand Position: Middle C position
• Level: Easy Elementary
• Character: Lyrical, soft, damper pedal
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Echoes-in-the-Canyon.mp3"][/audio] Echoes in the Canyon, Solo
Echoes in the Canyon invites young pianists to step into the wide-open spaces of the frontier with a lyrical melody that seems to “echo” off unseen canyon walls. Written in an easy Middle C hand position with minimal left-hand notes, this elementary solo gives students a rich, spacious sound while introducing expressive sustain pedal use and focused listening skills.
Key Info
• Key & Hand Position: Middle C position
• Level: Easy Elementary
• Character: Lyrical, soft, damper pedal
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Echoes-in-the-Canyon.mp3"][/audio]
Cactus Dance, Solo
Cactus Dance is a light, rhythmic easy piano solo that captures the playful spirit of a desert breeze and twirling shadows. Written with clear, accessible patterns in C position and delightful rhythmic variation, this tune is ideal for getting young pianists excited about movement, musical color, and expressive phrasing. It’s a fun piece that feels like a dance among the cacti — perfect for building confidence and musical storytelling.
Key Info
• Key: C position with simple accidentals
• Time signature: 4/4
• Level: Easy Elementary
• Character: Playful, rhythmical, expressive
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cactus-Dance-.mp3"][/audio] Cactus Dance, Solo
Cactus Dance is a light, rhythmic easy piano solo that captures the playful spirit of a desert breeze and twirling shadows. Written with clear, accessible patterns in C position and delightful rhythmic variation, this tune is ideal for getting young pianists excited about movement, musical color, and expressive phrasing. It’s a fun piece that feels like a dance among the cacti — perfect for building confidence and musical storytelling.
Key Info
• Key: C position with simple accidentals
• Time signature: 4/4
• Level: Easy Elementary
• Character: Playful, rhythmical, expressive
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cactus-Dance-.mp3"][/audio]
Happy Birthday, Flexible Ensemble
Happy Birthday! is a versatile, multi-level ensemble activity built around the familiar celebratory tune — perfect for group lessons, studio classes, or anytime you want a quick, fun ensemble experience. Each part is written as a short line that can be mixed, moved, and combined in many creative ways, making this ideal for flexible grouping, sight-reading practice, lead-sheet introduction, and rhythm exploration.
What’s Included
• Multiple ensemble parts (Melody, Harmonic Chords with Chord Symbols, Bass Line, Counter Melody, Rhythm Focus/Hand Percussion)
• Intermediate-level “teacher” accompaniment part and an example solo arrangement
• Parts that can be combined on one piano or across several instruments
• FREE Backing track with three repetitions for rehearsing or performance
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/happy-birthday-Backing-Track.mp3"][/audio] Happy Birthday, Flexible Ensemble
Happy Birthday! is a versatile, multi-level ensemble activity built around the familiar celebratory tune — perfect for group lessons, studio classes, or anytime you want a quick, fun ensemble experience. Each part is written as a short line that can be mixed, moved, and combined in many creative ways, making this ideal for flexible grouping, sight-reading practice, lead-sheet introduction, and rhythm exploration.
What’s Included
• Multiple ensemble parts (Melody, Harmonic Chords with Chord Symbols, Bass Line, Counter Melody, Rhythm Focus/Hand Percussion)
• Intermediate-level “teacher” accompaniment part and an example solo arrangement
• Parts that can be combined on one piano or across several instruments
• FREE Backing track with three repetitions for rehearsing or performance
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/happy-birthday-Backing-Track.mp3"][/audio]
Mission with Destiny, 3 Epic Trios Collection
Bring some epic ensemble fun to your studio with Mission with Destiny, a bundled set of three original elementary piano trios designed for one piano, six hands. Each trio is highly patterned for easy learning and works wonderfully in both individual or group piano settings — inspiring students with musical teamwork, shared rhythms, and expressive moments that beg to be performed together. Backing tracks are included for play-along practice or performance, adding energy and context while students build ensemble confidence.
Titles in this collection:
Path to Destiny, Cosmic Awakening, Destiny’s Arrival
Key Info
• Level: Elementary (1 Piano, 6 Hands)
• Format: Trio collection with conductor score + three student parts
• Backing Tracks: Available.
• Length: 31 pages music + 4 pages covers
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mission-with-destiny-songs-21526-7.50-PM.mp3"][/audio] Mission with Destiny, 3 Epic Trios Collection
Bring some epic ensemble fun to your studio with Mission with Destiny, a bundled set of three original elementary piano trios designed for one piano, six hands. Each trio is highly patterned for easy learning and works wonderfully in both individual or group piano settings — inspiring students with musical teamwork, shared rhythms, and expressive moments that beg to be performed together. Backing tracks are included for play-along practice or performance, adding energy and context while students build ensemble confidence.
Titles in this collection:
Path to Destiny, Cosmic Awakening, Destiny’s Arrival
Key Info
• Level: Elementary (1 Piano, 6 Hands)
• Format: Trio collection with conductor score + three student parts
• Backing Tracks: Available.
• Length: 31 pages music + 4 pages covers
Wondering what it sounds like?
[audio mp3="https://susanstaplesbellmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/mission-with-destiny-songs-21526-7.50-PM.mp3"][/audio]
Ellen Goddard –
I’m really looking forward to starting this piece with my student next week, the first week of my summer session. There are so many teaching opportunities and the colorful activity worksheet that Susan provides helps to point these out. I am especially delighted with the cascading notes, hand over hand technic and the story it tells about the “Tiny Explorer.” I know my student will be very happy to be playing this dinosaur song!