Pop Hits for the Instrumental Soloist: Piano Acc. (Instrumental) Book & CD

These arrangements capture the emotional directness of modern pop ballads and uplifting songs. You'll find themselves playing music with genuine lyrical beauty, from the tenderness of 'The Prayer' to the soaring hope of 'You Raise Me Up,' all within a manageable technical range.

Pianists at Level 2-3 who want to play recognizable contemporary songs in ensemble or solo contexts. This book works well for students making the transition from method books to real repertoire.

• Listen through the recorded accompaniment before rehearsal to hear how your part fits into the fuller arrangement, especially on tracks where the piano has supportive rather than lead material.
• Pay attention to dynamic contrast within each song. Pop ballads often swell and recede; use pedal intentionally to color these shifts without muddying the line.
• Lock into the rhythmic pocket of the recorded tracks during practice. Many of these songs rely on precise groove and feel rather than complex harmonic movement.

Pair these selections with your spring concert to showcase student pianists in contemporary repertoire alongside instrumental soloists. Several titles work equally well as solo recital pieces or as ensemble accompaniments for vocalists.

• Accompanying solo lines with sensitivity and ensemble awareness
• Playing with recorded accompaniments and maintaining steady tempo
• Interpreting contemporary song arrangements with appropriate rubato and dynamics
• Transposing or adapting between keys if needed for ensemble compatibility