Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Merry Christmas! Book 1B: Piano
By Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
Level: 1B
Item: 00-PS-0017746
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Description
Carefully graded carols are placed in order of difficulty within each book. Every carol has a duet part for the teacher or parent. May be used with any method. Titles: Angels We Have Heard on High * Go, Tell It on the Mountain * Jingle Bells * Jolly Old Saint Nicholas * Silent Night * The Twelve Days of Christmas * We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred's Basic Piano Library
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PS-0017746
More about this title
About the Composer: Willard A. Palmer
Willard A. Palmer stands as one of the most prolific and influential music educators of the 20th century, having composed and arranged nearly 800 published works across piano, accordion, guitar, and choral music. His compositions have been translated into multiple languages and remain foundational texts in music education worldwide. Palmer's career spanned decades of teaching, including 18 years on the faculty at the University of Houston, where he pioneered college-level accordion instruction.
Beyond his role as a composer and educator, Palmer earned international recognition as a scholar of Baroque music and ornamentation, expertise that shaped the acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series. His early training under Mae Vardeman instilled in him a commitment to solid technique and musical thinking that became the hallmark of his pedagogical work. Honored with a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983, Palmer demonstrated that rigorous scholarship and accessible teaching could flourish together.
Why we love this
This book delivers exactly what early-level students need: recognizable holiday melodies that reward their developing reading skills without overwhelming their hands or minds. The teacher duets transform practice from solitary work into genuine musical partnership, giving students immediate experience playing with another person.
What to expect
These carols carry the warmth and familiarity of holiday tradition, arranged to honor the melodies while staying within the technical grasp of a developing pianist. The writing feels encouraging rather than patronizing; students recognize songs they know, play them authentically, and experience the joy of making music that sounds like real music.
Who it's for
Early-level piano students (around Grade 1B) who are ready to move beyond the most elementary materials and want to play repertoire that feels musical and purposeful. This collection works beautifully for students learning through Alfred's Basic Piano Library or any comparable method, whether they study privately or in group settings.
How to get the most out of it
- Play the duet parts yourself during practice sessions so students hear how their melody integrates with an accompaniment, building awareness of ensemble sound even at this stage.
- Begin with carols in keys and ranges that sit comfortably on your student's hand size and reading level; the progressive ordering within the book supports natural advancement.
- Encourage students to memorize at least one carol fully, then perform it for family or at a studio recital to connect their learning to real performance occasions.
- Keep the tempo singing and unhurried; rushing holiday carols strips them of their character and increases stumbling on unfamiliar passages.
How to use it
Assign this book in October or early November so students have time to prepare a carol or two for a December studio performance or holiday recital. The duet parts also make these pieces ideal for collaborative studio classes or group lessons where multiple students can take turns playing the melody while you or an advanced student plays the accompaniment.
Skills your students will build
- Reading notes and rhythm in keys and time signatures introduced at Level 1B
- Playing with steady tempo and musical phrasing at an accessible level
- Coordinating hands as melody and accompaniment develop in tandem
- Building confidence through recognizable, singable melodies