Piano Tomorrow Series: Reading and Repertoire, Level 1: Piano Book

Fresh and purposeful. Students encounter melodies and harmonic movement that feel like real compositions, not mere vehicles for teaching a single concept. The integration of reading and playing builds early confidence that piano study leads somewhere musical.

Early-elementary piano students who benefit from seeing immediate musical payoff for their reading work. This book serves teachers who want to introduce real pieces alongside foundational technique, avoiding the disconnect between dry exercises and actual music-making.

• Alternate between method exercises and repertoire pieces within each practice session rather than completing all technical work first; this keeps ears engaged and reminds students why reading matters.
• Use the repertoire selections as models for interpretation and phrasing choices, then apply those same musical ideas back to the method exercises.
• Record short passages of the repertoire pieces on your phone and play them back during practice breaks; students often hear their own progress more clearly when removed from the moment.

Assign repertoire pieces from this book for recital or studio performance as soon as reading proficiency allows; the level-appropriate pieces provide natural performance opportunities that reinforce what students are learning technically. Use selections from the book as supplementary material alongside your primary method if your current curriculum feels overly exercise-focused.

• Sight-reading in treble clef with emerging intervals and simple rhythmic patterns
• Connecting pitch recognition to keyboard geography
• Phrasing and musical expression through pieces rather than isolated drills
• Hand independence at an introductory level
• Reading and playing simple repertoire that matches current technical ability