Life Is Good: Intermediate Piano Book

Costley writes with genuine warmth and accessibility without sacrificing musical substance. Each piece in this collection stands alone as a complete musical thought, yet together they form a cohesive statement about resilience and joy. The titles themselves invite students into vivid scenarios, making the learning process feel less like technical exercise and more like storytelling.

Optimistic without being saccharine. These pieces capture genuine moments of pleasure and perspective, from simple daytime adventures to nighttime wandering through a city. The music reflects maturity in its handling of these themes while remaining accessible to the intermediate player.

Intermediate piano students working through their first years of solo repertoire, as well as teachers seeking pieces that energize reluctant players through narrative and relatable imagery. This collection appeals equally to students preparing for competitions or recitals and those simply expanding their musical library.

• Lean into the character suggested by each title. "Fun in the Sun" and "Tacos for Sale" demand lightness and humor; let the music breathe accordingly rather than rushing through passages.
• Balance left-hand accompaniment patterns with melodic clarity in the right hand. Intermediate students often struggle with independence between hands; these pieces offer excellent practice without excessive technical demand.
• Pay attention to dynamic shaping within each phrase. The pieces reward subtle gradations that bring out emotional content and maintain listener interest across eight solos.

Select individual pieces for student recitals throughout the year, using lighter titles early in the program to establish warmth and energy. The collection's consistent intermediate level makes it ideal for building a full recital from start to finish, allowing each student to choose pieces that resonate personally.

• Phrasing and character development through contrasting melodic ideas
• Left-hand accompaniment patterns including arpeggios and block chords
• Dynamic control and shaping across intermediate-level harmonic progressions
• Sight-reading confidence through exposure to eight complete pieces at accessible difficulty