Famous & Fun Favorites, Book 1: 13 Appealing Piano Arrangements: Piano
13 Appealing Piano Arrangements
Arranged by Carol Matz
Level: Early Elementary
Item: 00-PB-0000855
$8.99
Pickup currently not available
Related Items
Famous & Fun Favorites, Book 1: Piano Book |
$8.99
|
View |
Description
Famous & Fun Favorites, Book 1 is a collection of appealing arrangements of familiar songs that students are sure to know and love. Written at the early-elementary level, it may be used as a supplement to any method. The optional duet parts for teacher or parent add to the fun. "Shoo Fly" and "The Bear Went over the Mountain" are Federation Festivals 2016-2020 selections. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.
Famous & Fun Favorites, Book 1: 13 Appealing Piano Arrangements: Piano isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Famous & Fun
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
24
SKU:
00-PB-0000855
More about this title
About the Arranger: Carol Matz
Carol Matz brings decades of practical classroom experience to every arrangement she publishes. As both a composer and active piano teacher, she has developed over 300 titles that balance musical substance with genuine student appeal, earning her the respect of piano educators across North America and beyond. Her Famous & Fun series has become a staple in studios and classrooms precisely because Matz understands what works in real teaching situations.
Her formal training in composition, arranging, and orchestration at the University of Miami gives her arrangements their musical integrity. Over the years, she has applied those skills to work with orchestras, jazz ensembles, brass and string groups, and recording artists in professional settings. That combination of rigorous training and years spent in the trenches with student pianists makes her uniquely qualified to create material that is both musically sound and age-appropriate.
Why we love this
These arrangements capture the sweet spot where familiarity breeds engagement without sacrificing musicality. Early elementary students light up when they recognize a song, and Matz's writing gives them genuine musical ideas to execute, not just simplified notation of a melody. The optional duet parts transform practice sessions and recitals into collaborative moments that reinforce ensemble skills while keeping things fun.
What to expect
Accessible and inviting. These are songs students grew up hearing or sang in school, now dressed in simple but musically satisfying piano arrangements. The writing is clean and supportive, never asking students to navigate unnecessary complexity while still offering real musical substance.
Who it's for
Early elementary piano students building foundational skills through repertoire they enjoy. This collection works beautifully as a supplement to any method book, offering engaging material that motivates consistent practice and celebrates familiar melodies.
How to get the most out of it
- Encourage students to listen to the duet part even during solo practice. Knowing how the accompaniment supports their melody deepens musical understanding and prepares them for ensemble playing.
- Shape phrases by varying touch and dynamics subtly. These folk melodies have natural contours that early students often play too flatly; help them find the gentle rise and fall within each line.
- Use the duet parts in a group lesson setting to rotate roles. Students benefit from hearing the supporting harmony and gain confidence by temporarily stepping away from the lead.
How to use it
Pull pieces from this collection as supplementary recital material throughout the year. Since the optional duet parts are built in, you can feature multiple pieces in a single studio recital, mixing solos with teacher-student duets to showcase both individual progress and the joy of collaborative music-making. The Federation Festivals selections also provide excellent repertoire choices for students pursuing that performance avenue.
Skills your students will build
- Reading steady rhythms in simple meters (2/4, 4/4)
- Playing with consistent hand position and proper finger control
- Phrasing and shaping melody lines
- Listening and responding to accompaniment parts
- Ensemble awareness and coordination (when playing duets)