Imaginations, Book 3: Intermediate Piano Book

Olson captures the aesthetic of music teenagers actually listen to without resorting to note-for-note pop arrangements. The genre variety within one book means you can assign pieces that match individual student tastes while maintaining pedagogical coherence across your studio.

Seven distinct moods coexist in this book, each one honest and accessible without being simplistic. You'll move from introspective moments to energetic grooves, with enough harmonic interest to keep experienced teachers engaged during lesson preparation.

Intermediate pianists ready for repertoire that reflects current musical sensibilities. Students at this level benefit from feeling invested in what they're learning, and this collection delivers pieces worth the practice time.

• Pay attention to the dynamic contrast in the lyrical pieces; they reward subtle touch work and will reveal whether your student is listening to their own sound.
• The rock and jazz selections need a clear sense of groove. Work through them slowly enough that rhythm stays locked before you allow tempo to climb.
• Pedal choices matter significantly across this collection. Have students experiment with partial pedaling in the ballads to maintain clarity without muddiness.

Assign individual selections across different months to maintain motivation and variety in your studio. Alternatively, several of these pieces work well on student recitals because they're substantial enough to warrant performance attention but approachable enough to learn thoroughly.

• Reading and interpreting varied musical genres and styles
• Rhythmic precision in rock and jazz idioms
• Dynamic control and pedal technique in lyrical passages
• Chord understanding across rock, jazz, and contemporary harmonic language
• Interpretive decision-making and musical ownership