Something for the Girls: Piano Book

Your students will recognize every title the moment they open this book, which means motivation is built in from day one. Coates has stripped away the complexity without sacrificing the emotional core of these songs, so pianists at the easy level can experience genuine connection to music they actually care about. Two selections earned spots on the Royal Conservatory of Music Popular Selection List, a quiet vote of confidence in the quality of these arrangements.

Opening this book feels like stepping into a time capsule of contemporary pop culture. Each page offers a familiar melody paired with elegant, straightforward accompaniment that never feels dumbed down. The overall experience is one of recognition and pride: these are real songs, arranged with care, and now they're yours to play.

This collection speaks directly to pre-teen and teenage pianists who have strong opinions about music and need repertoire that reflects their world. Teachers will find it invaluable for keeping students engaged during the intermediate early years, when motivation can falter if pieces feel disconnected from the music students love.

• Shape the melodic phrases to match the vocal style of the original recording; these arrangements thrive when students color the top line with the same expressivity they hear on the charts.
• Lean into the harmonic progressions rather than rushing through them; Coates often simplifies the accompaniment pattern, so clarity in the left hand supports rather than competes with the melody.
• Allow students to listen to professional recordings beforehand, but encourage them to make interpretive choices about tempo and dynamics based on their own hearing and comfort level.

Use these pieces as incentive rewards during technique-focused studio lessons, or weave them into student recitals where they'll anchor the program with music your audience recognizes. They also work beautifully as supplementary repertoire in group piano classes, where the emotional investment helps younger pianists stay committed to daily practice.

• Reading and playing straightforward melodic phrasing across the staff
• Accompaniment patterns and left-hand independence
• Interpretation of popular music idioms and stylistic nuances
• Pedal control in the context of contemporary harmonic language
• Sustaining focus and joy through extended repertoire at the early intermediate level