FJH Federation Favorites, Book 3: Early Intermediate Piano Book

This collection brings together voices you trust as a piano teacher, composers who consistently write with student success in mind, in one curated volume. The National Federation of Music Clubs endorsement means each piece has already proven itself in actual studios and competitions, so you're not guessing whether it will work for your students.

A tour through eight different compositional voices, each bringing its own personality. One moment you're watching otters slide into water, the next you're an undercover agent or riding a desert camel. The writing stays clear and purposeful, never cluttering the page with unnecessary notes.

Students in their second or third year of study who are ready for varied styles and character work but still developing independence in rhythm and hand coordination. This book also works well for teachers building a competitive repertoire list, since NFMC-selected pieces carry weight in festival and audition settings.

• Listen through the recorded accompaniments before assigning; they'll show your student the intended tempo and style from day one, which saves weeks of trial-and-error interpretation.
• In pieces like 'Secret Agent Boogie,' lock in the rhythmic pocket early. Early intermediate students often rush character pieces, so slow practice with a metronome on beat 2 catches timing issues before they calcify.
• Shape the phrase contours with dynamic contrast rather than rushing tempo changes. These pieces reward expressive playing without needing a lot of technique.

Pull individual pieces for studio recitals throughout the year, or teach the entire book over two semesters as a primary repertoire source. The stylistic variety makes it ideal for ensemble recitals where you want to showcase range without overwhelming early intermediate players.

• Reading accidentals and modal harmony without key signature changes
• Maintaining consistent pulse in syncopated rhythms
• Executing dynamic shapes that serve musical character rather than technical display
• Balancing independence between hands in contemporary idioms
• Recognizing compositional gesture and responding with appropriate articulation