Schaum Pop Favorites, C: The Purple Book: Piano Book

This book recognizes that engagement drives practice, and these arrangements deliver jazz standards and beloved pop tunes in writing that feels authentic without overwhelming early intermediate pianists. You get real songs with genuine harmonic character, not simplified versions that sound hollow. Students will ask to work on these pieces.

Playing these arrangements feels like stepping into a jazz lounge or golden-age movie theater. Melodies arrive with warmth and sophistication, supported by harmonies that sound rich without demanding advanced technique. You're not just practicing scales in disguise; you're making music with real substance.

Early intermediate pianists (typically 6 months to 2 years into lessons) who are ready for songs beyond method book exercises. This book works equally well in private studios and group lessons, and appeals to younger students building technique and older students who simply love these songs.

• Listen to studio recordings of the original songs before you begin learning. Hearing the melody in its familiar context helps you understand phrasing and style, even when the arrangement sits lower on the piano.
• Pay close attention to tempo markings and rhythm notation in songs like La Bamba and Southern Nights, where steady groove matters more than note-perfect execution.
• Use the left hand voicings as your foundation. Schaum's accompaniment patterns are written to sit comfortably at this level, so lean into them rather than rushing to add your own embellishments.
• Shape the melody with subtle dynamic shading. These are songs with emotional weight; a well-placed crescendo or soft passage in the A section makes the whole arrangement sing.

Assign individual pieces as recital repertoire, allowing students to choose songs that connect with them personally. The variety of styles within the collection lets you build a balanced student recital program, or use selections as optional performance pieces alongside your regular method book assignments.

• Reading two-staff grand staff notation with consistent left hand accompaniment patterns
• Playing swing rhythms and syncopated figures at a comfortable tempo
• Interpreting jazz harmony and extended chords (sevenths and ninths) in context
• Balancing melody and accompaniment with independent hand control
• Phrasing longer melodic lines across multiple measures