Premier Piano Course, Performance 5: Piano Book & CD

This book strikes a real balance between contemporary appeal and musical substance. Students get rhythmic growth through sixteenth notes in compound meters without sacrificing their engagement, and the mix of blues, ballads, and Baroque repertoire means there's something genuinely worth practicing on every page. The dual-tempo recordings are particularly smart: students can hear what musical maturity sounds like, then work backward at a manageable pace.

This collection captures the energy of a student ready to branch out. You'll move fluidly between the improvisatory feel of blues pieces, the lyrical simplicity of ballads, and the architectural clarity of Baroque and Classical works. The sixteenth notes bring rhythmic sparkle and momentum without overwhelming the melodic content.

Level 5 pianists ready to expand their rhythmic vocabulary and tackle a wider stylistic range. This book works well for students who have solid foundational technique and are beginning to develop musical independence, whether they study with a private teacher or in a school setting.

• Listen to the performance tempo recording first, then move to the practice tempo while working through the piece section by section. This trains your ear for the style and phrasing you're aiming toward.
• Pay close attention to the performance tips provided with each piece; they address specific interpretive choices that make the difference between playing the notes and making music.
• In pieces with sixteenth-note figures in compound meter, count subdivision aloud or tap your foot to lock in the underlying pulse before playing hands together.
• Use the slower practice tempo recording as a reference during practice sessions, but resist playing along until you're confident with the fingering and rhythm on your own.

Include selections from Performance 5 on student recitals to show range and rhythmic growth; the stylistic variety lets each student choose something that fits their strengths. Pair a Classical piece from this book with a contemporary selection to demonstrate how solid technique translates across musical periods.

• Reading and executing sixteenth notes in compound meters (6/8, 9/8)
• Interpreting stylistic markers in blues, ballad, and popular music contexts
• Understanding Baroque and Classical phrase structure through repertoire
• Applying musical expression techniques indicated in performance notes
• Coordinating hands independently across varied rhythmic patterns