Piano Play-Along: The Rolling Stones: Keyboard/Piano Book & CD-ROM

Rock standards deserve a place on every piano student's stand, and this collection delivers 10 genuine classics with professional backing tracks that transform practice into a band experience. The TNT 2 software gives students real agency over their learning: they can isolate the vocal to focus on accompaniment, slow tempos without sacrificing pitch stability, or loop difficult passages without wearing out the CD. Students who might otherwise disengage from classical repertoire light up when they hear themselves playing rhythm section parts to 'Satisfaction' or 'Paint It Black'.

Energetic and accessible. The keyboard parts sit comfortably under the hands without gratuitous technical demands, leaving your focus free to absorb the groove and lock in with the vocal melody. You'll feel the weight of these songs' original recordings: the swagger of 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' the hypnotic drag of 'Paint It Black,' the nervous energy of 'Satisfaction.' The backing tracks make your solo playing feel like a full band experience.

Novice and intermediate pianists ready to move beyond method books into recognizable repertoire. Students drawn to rock and popular music will find immediate motivation in these iconic songs, while players of any background can use the backing tracks as a tool to build ensemble awareness and rhythmic precision.

• Load the MP3s onto your device before rehearsal so you can practice with the backing tracks outside the practice room. Familiarity with the track's phrasing and arrangement will sharpen your timing when you perform live.
• Use the TNT 2 software to slow challenging songs down by 10-15% initially. Once you can play cleanly at a reduced tempo, gradually bring the speed back to normal.
• Listen closely to how the vocal melody sits against your keyboard part. These arrangements preserve the original recordings' vocal phrasing, so letting the voice guide your accompanimental rhythm will lock in the groove.
• Experiment with the mix controls to isolate just the drums and bass while you play. This stripped-down version helps you anchor the harmonic progression without the density of the full arrangement.

Feature this collection in a spring or end-of-year student showcase where rock repertoire feels natural alongside classical or jazz selections. Advanced students can perform solo arrangements for informal recitals or summer studio events; the professional backing tracks elevate a solo performance into something concert-worthy. Consider assigning one or two songs as supplementary repertoire for students whose primary focus is classical but who benefit from rhythmic and groove-based learning.

• Sight-reading rock-style accompaniment patterns
• Locking into a fixed backing track (ensemble timing and independence)
• Playing sustained chord progressions with rhythmic accuracy
• Interpreting vocal phrasing on the keyboard
• Using audio software to isolate parts and adjust tempo