Nat King Cole: Keyboard/Piano Book

This collection captures Cole's most enduring standards in arrangements that honor his musical sensibility without overwhelming elementary pianists. The tunes are instantly recognizable to audiences of all ages, which means students get the joy of playing material that genuinely excites people, not just exercises that happen to be famous.

These arrangements evoke the warmth and sophistication of mid-century popular music, with melodies that sit naturally under the hands and harmonies that feel timeless. There's an ease to playing Cole's repertoire, a sense of singing at the keyboard rather than wrestling with the instrument.

Elementary pianists and keyboardists who are ready to move beyond method books and play recognizable songs with genuine artistic value. This collection works equally well for students in private lessons, school music programs, or those working toward performance recitals.

• Lean into the rubato and phrasing rather than strict metronomic time; Cole's style thrived on conversational flexibility within the beat.
• Use light pedal on the major ballads like "Unforgettable" to add warmth without muddying the harmonies.
• Pay attention to the lyrics even though you're playing instrumentally; the melody shapes will make more sense if you're thinking of the words underneath.
• Resist the urge to rush uptempo tunes like "Orange Colored Sky." Cole's phrasing was always relaxed, never frantic.

Feature one or two selections in a school concert to bridge classical and popular traditions, or use them as foundation material for a jazz-influenced program. These songs also work beautifully as accompaniment for student singers exploring American standards.

• Reading chord symbols and realizing them on the keyboard
• Balancing melody and accompaniment with appropriate voice leading
• Performing with expressive phrasing and dynamic control within a simple texture
• Understanding the relationship between lyrics and melodic shape
• Building confidence with recognizable, audience-friendly material