Popular Performer: Gershwin: Piano Book

Name: Popular Performer: Gershwin: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-31802
Price: 12.95 USD
Availability: InStock

The Songs of George & Ira Gershwin

By George & Ira Gershwin / arr. Melody Bober

Level: Early Advanced

Item: 00-31802

$12.95

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George Gershwin and his older brother Ira wrote the music for more than 12 Broadway shows and four films. This volume revisits the best of these songs, which have become favorites of singers, instrumentalists and audiences. Their unforgettable melodies, exciting rhythms, and clever lyrics are captured in these early advanced arrangements by Melody Bober. These piano solos are perfect for lessons, recitals, or social gatherings. Titles: Embraceable You * Fascinating Rhythm * I Got Rhythm * I've Got a Crush on You * Let's Call the Whole Thing Off * Love Is Here to Stay * The Man I Love * Nice Work If You Can Get It * Someone to Watch Over Me * Summertime * They Can't Take That Away from Me.

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Series: Popular Performer Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 56

ISBN10: 0-7390-5681-6

ISBN13: 978-0-7390-5681-3

UPC: 038081341934

SKU: 00-31802

More about this title

About the Composer: George Gershwin

George Gershwin (1898-1937) stood at the intersection of concert music and popular song, creating a body of work that refused to stay in one lane. He brought jazz idioms, blues inflection, and rhythmic vitality into Broadway shows and concert halls with equal confidence, proving that serious artistry and mass appeal were not mutually exclusive. His melodies became standards because they were genuinely inventive; his harmonies pushed beyond what popular songwriters typically attempted.

Gershwin's partnership with his lyricist brother Ira produced some of the 20th century's most enduring theatrical music. Their songs captured the spirit of the Jazz Age while remaining timelessly elegant. Though Gershwin died at 38, his influence on both musical theater and classical composition remains profound, and his piano music remains central to the repertoire of pianists at every level.

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Why we love this

Melody Bober has arranged these Gershwin standards with genuine respect for their construction while making them accessible to pianists working at early advanced level. The melodies remain front and center, the rhythmic energy stays intact, and the harmonic sophistication of the originals comes through without overwhelming the player. These are songs that audiences already love, so your student walks on stage with immediate credibility.

What to expect

Sophisticated without being precious. These arrangements capture the wit, elegance, and rhythmic swagger of 1920s and 1930s New York. There's both polish and personality in every piece; you get to sound like you're playing in a jazz lounge or a Broadway theater pit.

Who it's for

Piano students at early advanced level who are ready for repertoire that feels genuinely musical rather than purely technical. This book also appeals to adult learners and returning pianists who want immediate connection to music they already enjoy hearing.

How to get the most out of it

Lean into the syncopation without rushing. Gershwin's rhythms are precise and stylized; clarity matters more than speed, especially in pieces like "Fascinating Rhythm."
Shape the melody as you would a vocal line. These were written for singers first, and they still sing best when you remember that quality.
Balance accompaniment textures carefully. In early advanced arrangements, the accompaniment often carries important harmonic color that shouldn't disappear behind the right-hand melody.
Let the jazz harmonies breathe. Resist over-pedaling even when you're tempted; Gershwin's chords are interesting enough to stand on their own.

How to use it

Program individual pieces throughout the year as students finish them, or group several together for a recital with a clear thematic identity. These pieces also work beautifully in mixed recitals where they provide stylistic contrast to classical or contemporary work. Consider programming "Summertime" or "Someone to Watch Over Me" as an encore.