Easy Hits for Kids Band 1: Easy Hits Piano Book

Gerlitz understands that young pianists need arrangements that sound impressive without requiring technical virtuosity. This collection mixes recognizable contemporary hits with classical miniatures, giving students repertoire that feels relevant to their lives while building genuine pianistic skills.

These arrangements capture the essence of each piece while keeping the performance experience joyful rather than frustrating. You get the satisfaction of playing recognizable melodies and modern songs that actually sound musical within weeks of starting them.

Early-intermediate pianists who want to play contemporary music and well-known classics without years of additional study. This collection works equally well for private studio students preparing for recitals and for young pianists looking to build confidence with attractive, playable repertoire.

• Balance melodic clarity with accompaniment texture by practicing hands separately, then gradually bringing them together at a slow tempo to ensure the right hand can sing over a consistent left-hand pattern.
• Listen to the original recordings of unfamiliar pieces to internalize the musical character and phrasing before working out mechanics.
• Map out chord changes in simpler arrangements to understand their harmonic function, which helps with memorization and expressive playing.
• Use the page count strategically in recitals by selecting pieces that contrast in tempo and character, rather than programming them sequentially.

Select individual pieces for student recitals based on each pianist's strengths and interests rather than performing the book sequentially. The variety within 32 pages means you can build a full recital program from a single collection, mixing folk songs, classical miniatures, and contemporary hits to appeal to diverse audiences.

• Reading and executing block and broken chord patterns in the left hand
• Balancing melody and accompaniment across two staves
• Sustaining consistent tempo through repetitive harmonic progressions
• Recognizing and playing common song forms (verse, chorus, bridge)
• Interpreting stylistic differences between classical and contemporary arrangements