In Recital® with Popular Christmas Music, Book 2: Elementary Piano Book

The song selection here moves beyond generic Christmas fare. These are recognizable hits that students actually want to play, which means they'll practice without being asked. Pairing familiar melodies with solid arranging and the included recordings creates a complete learning package that works equally well for solo practice and holiday performances.

Festive and accessible. The arranging keeps the joy and recognizable hooks of each song while meeting the technical capabilities of developing pianists. There's real energy here without excess complexity.

Elementary pianists preparing their first holiday recital or concert. Students who respond well to repertoire they recognize will find motivation and confidence in these arrangements.

• Lean on the recorded accompaniments during practice to establish tempo and phrasing, then gradually reduce reliance on them before performing live.
• Balance the melody against rhythmic or harmonic figures in the accompaniment; many of these arrangements layer popular riffs beneath the tune.
• Reference the background information provided for each piece to understand the original recording's style and energy, then translate that character to your own playing.

Use individual pieces from this collection to build a holiday concert without programming an entire book. A few of these arrangements, mixed with classical seasonal works, create audience appeal while maintaining musical substance. It also works as a flexible solo repertoire resource throughout the holiday season.

• Reading and performing popular melodies from lead-sheet style arrangements
• Coordinating melody with accompaniment patterns in the left hand
• Understanding rhythmic feels associated with rock, pop, and swing styles
• Building confidence through familiar musical material
• Interpreting recorded models to inform performance choices