Portraits 2: Keyboard/Piano Book & CD

This collection solves a real pedagogical problem: most student piano books either stick to classical repertoire or lean on generic pop arrangements that don't feel like real music. Baerman's pairing of original compositions with artist biographies and listening suggestions creates genuine context for why these styles matter, and the included accompaniment CD means students can experience themselves within a full ensemble sound from day one.

Playing through Portraits 2 feels like getting an insider's tour of the artists and styles you've actually heard on the radio. The pieces swing with real groove in some moments, sit in bluesy territory in others, and occasionally let you stretch into rock territory, all while staying grounded in the techniques you've been building.

This book reaches students ages 12 and up who are ready to explore beyond their method book but want to play music that feels current and cool. Teachers looking to deepen students' understanding of popular styles while building genuine musicianship will find both the repertoire and the supporting materials invaluable.

• Study the artist biography and listen to the suggested recordings before you touch the piece. You'll understand the rhythmic pocket, phrasing, and tone color much faster than from the page alone.
• When working with the CD accompaniment, start by playing along at a slower tempo to nail the feel, then gradually increase speed as your confidence builds.
• Pay attention to the preparatory exercises preceding each piece. They isolate the specific technical or stylistic challenge you'll encounter, making the full piece feel far more manageable.
• Balance your touch between accuracy and groove. These aren't classical pieces, so rhythmic relaxation and swing matter as much as note precision.

Weave individual pieces throughout the year as students hit the stylistic concepts in lessons, or program several pieces on a spring concert to show off how much your students have grown beyond classical repertoire. The book's accessible level and engaging subject matter make it perfect for faculty-student jam sessions where teachers can sit down and play the accompaniment part while students shine on the melody.

• Voicing jazz chords and recognizing chord extensions
• Playing syncopated rhythms with swing feel and pocket
• Understanding blues form and 12-bar structure
• Improvising and personalizing melodies within a style
• Reading chord symbols alongside traditional notation
• Connecting listening experience to performance technique