Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Graduation Book 1A: Piano Book

These pieces invite a sense of accomplishment. Each solo is within reach, which means students can focus on bringing warmth and character to the music rather than wrestling with mechanics. The collection feels like permission to enjoy playing.

Early elementary piano students who have completed a 1A lesson book and are ready to explore new solos without technical overload. This collection works perfectly for students who need a confidence boost, those preparing for informal recitals, or anyone benefiting from a summer bridge between lesson levels.

• Encourage students to read through a piece silently first, mapping hand position and any shifts before playing it aloud. At this stage, silent score study builds independence and reduces mistakes in performance.
• Record your student playing a piece they've chosen, then listen back together. Hearing themselves often reveals phrasing and expression choices they didn't realize they were making.
• Space out learning across multiple pieces rather than drilling one solo repeatedly. Rotating through several pieces in the book keeps practice fresh and prevents boredom.

Assign one or two pieces as performance material for an end-of-year studio recital, or use them as the foundation for a casual spring or summer reading hour where students rotate playing solos aloud for each other. This book also makes an excellent bridge between lesson books if a student needs a few weeks of repertoire-only study before moving forward.

• Sight-reading within the 1A level
• Musical phrasing and interpretation without technical distraction
• Performance confidence through accessible repertoire
• Independence in choosing and preparing pieces