Current Hits for Teens, Book 2: Piano Book

Coates understands teenage pianists: these arrangements sound genuine to the original recordings without asking students to stretch beyond intermediate technique. The collection pairs immediate gratification (recognizable songs from artists they actually listen to) with real pedagogical work, introducing 16th-note patterns, octaves, and left-hand arpeggiation that intermediate players need to develop.

Fresh and immediate. These are songs students have heard countless times, arranged in ways that feel authentic to the recordings without the production gloss. Playing them builds genuine connection between the student's musical ear and their hands.

Intermediate piano students who need repertoire that matches their musical taste and technical reality. Teachers looking for high-engagement material that doesn't compromise on developing genuine skills will find these arrangements respect both the student and the music.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the 16th-note passages before worrying about tempo. These patterns are the collection's technical centerpiece; solid clarity here makes the whole performance land.
• Balance the left-hand arpeggios so they support the melody without muddying it. Think of them as harmonic accompaniment, not a separate voice competing for attention.
• Use the Doctor Who Theme as a confidence builder early in the term. Its straightforward structure lets students hear the arrangement's faithfulness to the original without excessive technical demands.

Slot these into winter and spring recitals where contemporary material lifts energy and connects with family audiences. Pair them with classical selections to show students how arrangement style bridges different eras and genres. Use individual pieces as incentives throughout the year; a student's favorite Doctor Who or Bruno Mars track becomes a tangible practice goal.

• Reading and executing 16th-note rhythmic patterns
• Playing octaves with clarity and independence
• Arpeggiated left-hand accompaniment patterns
• Balancing melody and harmonic support in the same hand
• Sight-reading contemporary popular arrangements