Alfred's Basic Piano Library: Top Hits! Christmas Book Complete 2 & 3: Piano Book

Students recognize every title immediately, which means they're motivated to practice from day one. The arrangements sit perfectly at Levels 2 and 3, challenging enough to feel like real progress but accessible enough that holiday performance deadlines don't create panic.

Warm, nostalgic, and immediately singable. These arrangements preserve the character of each song without burying it under complexity; students hear themselves playing real Christmas music, not piano studies that happen to reference holiday tunes.

Students working through Levels 2 and 3 of Alfred's Basic Piano Library who want seasonal repertoire that feels genuinely playable within weeks, not months. Holiday recitals, family gatherings, and year-end studio performances all benefit from music students already know and love.

• Balance the melody against accompaniment patterns. Many of these songs lean on simple left-hand ostinatos that can easily overwhelm the tune, so encourage students to listen to how their hands blend together.
• Pedal sparingly at this level. The harmonic movement is straightforward enough that most songs need little or no pedal; using it too freely muddies the clarity these arrangements need.
• Treat rhythmic straightforwardness as freedom to shape phrasing. These pieces don't demand technical fireworks, so use that space to develop musical intention and control dynamics across phrases.

Perfect for a December studio recital or group lesson finale. The collection's breadth means students can each choose a title that speaks to them, building individual ownership while keeping the program cohesive and seasonally appropriate. Pair it with carols or seasonal selections from other styles to round out a winter concert.

• Reading and executing consistent rhythmic patterns in both hands independently
• Playing simple accompaniment figures (broken chords, Alberti patterns) while maintaining melodic awareness
• Phrase shaping and dynamic control within tonal, scalar music
• Pedal introduction and restraint at the early intermediate level
• Recognizing and executing standard harmonic progressions