Selections from Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: Instrumental Solos, Volume 2: Piano Acc. Book & CD

Familiar joy paired with fresh energy. These songs live in the cultural memory of most audiences, yet hearing them arranged for solo instrument and piano keeps them vital and immediate. The accompaniments sit comfortably under the fingers while maintaining the recognizable harmonic character that made these songs endure.

Piano accompanists working with student soloists at the intermediate level. Whether you're supporting a flute player, saxophonist, or trumpeter in a lesson, ensemble, or recital, this book gives you reliable, engaging accompaniments that sound polished without overwhelming the solo part.

• Spend time with the demo track first. Hearing the complete arrangement helps pianists understand their role within the full orchestration and internalize the style of each song.
• Balance transparency with support. The piano part drives the harmony and rhythm, but resist overplaying; let the solo instrument breathe and carry the melody.
• Practice with the play-along track at a slower tempo before performing at full speed. This builds accuracy and allows you to anticipate tempo and phrasing without rushing.

Feature these songs in student recitals, chamber concerts, or pops concerts where variety and audience recognition matter. Mix and match titles to create a program that balances era, mood, and instrumentation, or use them as performance goals in private lessons throughout the year.

• Accompaniment sensitivity and following a soloist
• Understanding harmonic structure across multiple song styles
• Building fluency with both ballad and uptempo accompaniment patterns
• Responding to recorded timing and ensemble integration