Premier Piano Course, Lesson 3: Piano Book

Level 3 students encounter genuine musical satisfaction in these original pieces, which teach new technical concepts (chromatic scales, pass-under and cross-over fingerings, IV chords) through engaging melodies rather than dry etudes. The rhythm writing stands out: syncopation, swing, and dotted figures arrive in music that sounds current and fun, making technical mastery feel like musicianship, not drill work. With 48 pages of carefully sequenced material, you have enough substance to build confidence without overwhelming students at this stage.

These pieces spark real excitement at the piano. The up-tempo originals have personality and snap; you'll find yourself wanting to play them again, not because you have to practice but because they're genuinely fun. The clever musical ideas (a swing passage that catches you off-guard, a chromatic run that feels like you're showing off) make learning feel like discovery rather than assignment.

Level 3 students who have built foundational technique and are ready for more rhythmic sophistication and hand position flexibility. Teachers seeking original, musicianly repertoire that maintains student engagement while introducing intermediate concepts will find this book essential for their curriculum.

• Approach chromatic scale passages slowly at first, paying close attention to the pass-under and cross-over fingerings shown in the text; these hand positions will feel awkward until they become automatic
• Count swing rhythms aloud before playing them; the notation guides you, but internalizing the feel prevents stiff execution
• Listen to the TNT recordings (available at alfred.com/ppcdownloads) to hear how articulation and tempo bring out the clever twists in each piece
• When navigating 1st and 2nd endings, mark them clearly in your score and practice the transition smoothly so the repetition feels intentional, not mechanical

Weave individual pieces from this book into recitals throughout the year as students master each concept, or program several selections together to showcase how much progress a Level 3 student can demonstrate. The rhythmic variety and original voice make these pieces compelling choices for student solo performance, and they align perfectly with building technique during the middle months of the school year when students are ready to move beyond foundational material.

• Playing syncopated and swing rhythms with clarity and precision
• Mastering chromatic scale fingerings, including pass-under and cross-over techniques
• Building IV chord vocabulary in C, G, F, and D major
• Reading and executing 1st and 2nd endings
• Extending staff reading to ledger lines above and below the stave
• Developing musical interpretation and phrasing in original compositions