In Recital with All-Time Favorites, Book 4: Piano Book

A time capsule of American popular music played with clarity and charm. These pieces swing, sway, and storytell; they're the songs people actually wanted to hear, arranged so young pianists can play them with authenticity and fun.

Early intermediate pianists ready for pieces with genuine character and historical depth. Students in this book have solid technique but still need arrangements that don't overwhelm them with complexity, allowing them to focus on musicality and style.

• Balance the syncopated rhythms in the rags with a steady pulse rather than rushing; the stride patterns work best when the bass line stays rock solid underneath the melody.
• Lean into the period character of each piece. The summer songs need warmth and rubato; the rags need clarity and just enough swagger.
• Use the included recordings as a guide for phrasing and tempo before diving into your own interpretation, then trust your instincts to make the piece yours.

Perfect for studio recitals where you want variety without program notes that require explanation. Select a piece or two from this book alongside contemporary repertoire to show students the roots of popular music, or pair the ragtime selections with a unit on American musical history.

• Stride bass patterns and left-hand independence
• Syncopation and swing rhythm
• Tempo flexibility and rubato in lyrical passages
• Stylistic interpretation across multiple genres
• Reading and executing period-appropriate ornamentation