I Used to Play Piano: 60s and 70s Hits Cover Image

I Used to Play Piano: 60s and 70s Hits: Piano Book

$8.95 USD
$8.95 USD
Skip to product information
I Used to Play Piano: 60s and 70s Hits Cover Image
I Used to Play Piano: 60s and 70s Hits: Piano Book

I Used to Play Piano: 60s and 70s Hits: Piano Book

An Innovative Approach for Adults Returning to the Piano

Arranged by Carol Matz

Item: 00-31401
$8.95
Shipped

One moment…

Description
Adults returning to the piano after a break will enjoy playing well-arranged pop hits from recordings, Broadway and television. These carefully sequenced collections correlate with I Used to Play Piano: Refresher Course, Alfred Item# 22166. Titles: Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) * It's My Party * James Bond Theme * Killing Me Softly with His Song * The Lion Sleeps Tonight * Old Time Rock & Roll * The Rose * Somewhere My Love ("Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago) * Star Wars (Main Title) * Theme from New York, New York * When a Man Loves a Woman * Wipe Out.

I Used to Play Piano: 60s and 70s Hits: Piano Book 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 Pages

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: I Used to Play Piano
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 32
ISBN10: 0-7390-5588-7
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-5588-5
UPC: 038081335612
SKU: 00-31401

More about this title

About the Arranger: Carol Matz

Carol Matz

Carol Matz brings three decades of piano pedagogy into her published work, having composed and arranged more than 300 titles for piano students at all levels. Her teaching experience across the United States, Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region informs every arrangement she creates; she understands what works in the practice room because she spends time there herself.

Matz studied composition, arranging, and orchestration at the University of Miami and has written for orchestras, jazz ensembles, brass quintets, and string quartets. Her studio work in Miami recording sessions gave her insight into how popular songs are constructed, knowledge she channels into her Famous & Fun series and collections like this one.

Why we love this

These arrangements hit the emotional sweet spot for adult returnees: songs they actually want to play, arranged at a level that feels achievable without sacrificing musicality. Matz respects the source material while making each piece accessible, so students get the satisfaction of recognizing the melody and feeling the authenticity of the original recording.

What to expect

Opening this book feels like reconnecting with an old friend through shared memories. You recognize every melody instantly, and the arrangements capture the emotional core of each hit while keeping your hands in a comfortable, confident place on the keyboard.

Who it's for

Adults returning to piano after months or years away will find these 12 songs immediately rewarding to learn and play. The collection works especially well for students using the I Used to Play Piano: Refresher Course, as the arrangements are sequenced to match the skills and concepts introduced there.

How to get the most out of it

  • Play through the recordings of these songs before you sit down with the sheet music. Hearing the original arrangement gives you a sense of how the melody should sing and where the harmonic movement should breathe.
  • Don't rush the left-hand accompaniment patterns. Many of these hits rely on a steady, rhythmic foundation; locking in that groove matters more than speed.
  • Pay attention to dynamic markings even in simpler sections. Small changes in volume and touch bring character to familiar melodies and keep the performance engaging.

How to use it

Adult recitals and casual performance settings are natural homes for this collection. You might also use individual pieces as motivational rewards during practice, or as a bridge between classical technique work and the music your students actually want to play.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining steady rhythmic accompaniment patterns in the left hand
  • Bringing out a singing melody while supporting it with harmonic structure
  • Reading and interpreting dynamic and tempo markings in pop-style arrangements
  • Building confidence and sight-reading fluency with recognizable, engaging material

You May Also Like