Favorite Classics for Piano, Volume 1: Piano Book & CD

Schultz has curated ten beloved masterworks and arranged them at a level where early intermediate pianists can actually succeed with music they recognize and love. The pairing of sheet music with a MIDI accompaniment CD transforms solo practice into a fuller musical experience, letting students hear how their part sits within the harmonic and orchestral context of the original.

Opening this book is like stepping into a familiar concert hall. You encounter melodies from Brahms, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky that have shaped Western music for centuries, arranged so that your hands can manage the keyboard while your ears enjoy the full orchestral richness these pieces deserve.

Early intermediate pianists who want to play recognizable classical music without the technical demands of original masterworks. This collection works for students in private studios, community piano classes, or group lessons who benefit from both the visual score and the audio support of a professional accompaniment.

• Use the metronome introduction on the CD to establish tempo before you begin playing; this gives you a clear pulse and prevents the tendency to rush into the piece.
• Practice the piece thoroughly without the accompaniment first, securing notes and fingerings before adding the recorded part.
• Listen to the full orchestration on the CD while following your score so you understand where your melody sits in the larger texture.
• When performing with the accompaniment, focus on phrasing and expression rather than rhythm; the CD provides the harmonic and rhythmic foundation.

Feature individual selections in recitals or studio performances where students can play with confidence alongside recorded orchestration, creating a polished concert sound at an accessible level. These pieces also work well as rewards after completing a method book unit, giving students a chance to play repertoire they actually want to learn.

• Playing with steady tempo against a fixed accompaniment track
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in arranged music
• Interpreting expressive markings in familiar classical literature
• Reading and executing articulation, dynamics, and phrasing in romantic-era arrangedworks