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

This collection taps into music students already know and love, which transforms practice from obligation into genuine excitement. The arrangements respect the melodic charm of these songs while staying true to early intermediate technical demands, so students feel like they're playing real music, not simplified versions.

Playing these arrangements captures the joy and familiarity of beloved melodies while building real pianistic skills. Each piece has enough harmonic color and accompaniment detail to feel satisfying, yet the writing stays accessible enough that students can learn new songs quickly.

Piano students at levels 2 and 3 who respond to music they hear in movies, television, and popular culture. Teachers seeking material that makes daily practice feel rewarding without compromising solid technical development.

• Balance the melody line so it sings above the accompaniment, especially in pieces like "Memory" and "My Heart Will Go On" where the tune carries the emotional weight.
• Use the recorded accompaniments (sold separately) to build confidence with tempo and phrasing before performing solo.
• Pay attention to dynamic markings in arrangements like "A Whole New World" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" to shape the musical storytelling.
• Practice hands separately first for pieces with active accompaniment patterns, then gradually increase tempo as coordination improves.

Program individual selections in student recitals where they resonate with family audiences. Use these titles to anchor a "Music from the Screen" recital or theme program, mixing them with other classical repertoire at similar levels.

• Reading and executing dynamic markings and expression symbols
• Playing melodic lines with shape and phrasing over harmonic accompaniment
• Coordinating hands in patterns with consistent tempo
• Recognizing and playing common chord progressions in popular music
• Sustaining focus on longer pieces with multiple sections