Succeeding at the Piano, Merry Christmas Book - Grade 1B (2nd Edition): Piano Book

This book nails the balance between holiday appeal and genuine musical learning. The duet options give you flexibility for studio recitals or ensemble moments, while the activity pages mean students stay engaged with concepts rather than just playing through melodies. The engraving and illustrations make this feel like a gift rather than a workbook.

Familiar carols arranged with gentle accessibility; nothing feels dumbed down, just scaled to young hands and developing musicianship. The spirit of the season comes through without overshadowing the pleasure of playing actual music.

Early elementary pianists (typically ages 6-8) working through their second year of study. This book works equally well for group classes and private lessons, and the holiday theme gives families a natural reason to celebrate progress during winter recitals.

• Prepare the duet parts yourself before assigning them to advanced students; knowing the accompaniment line helps you hear where your student might rush or drag.
• Let students choose which carols they want to perform; ownership of repertoire changes how deliberately they practice.
• Use the activity pages as a warm-up before playing through solos, not as busywork after lessons end.

Assign this in October or early November so students have six to eight weeks to prepare carols for a winter concert or studio recital. The optional duets mean you can feature different students in different arrangements, giving everyone a moment in the spotlight.

• Playing melodic intervals in treble clef
• Reading whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes in simple time signatures
• Sustaining legato phrasing across multiple measures
• Coordinating hands in basic duet texture
• Recognizing and applying musical vocabulary (covered in Music Dictionary)