Basic Piano Library Popular Hits Books

Soon after beginning piano study, students can play attractive versions of the best-known melodies of today. Your child - or you! - will enjoy practicing these contemporary pieces to entertain themselves and your family and friends. 

Both Popular Hits Books correspond page-by-page with the Basic Piano Course Lesson Book.
​Level 1 Book allows for Carolyne to play duet with your child as they are learning. 

​You are welcome to purchase any of these additional books and Carolyne will then incorporate them into your child's lesson.

By Level 4, students will progress to playing original versions of popular pieces.

Popular Hits Complete Level 1 (1A/1B Combined) Book

Alfred's Basic Piano Library:
​Popular Hits Complete Level 1
This book is a compilation of Level 1A and Level 1B Popular Hits Books.

​Method Concepts
  • Introduction to playing
  • Keyboard orientation
  • Finger number recognition
  • White Keys
  • Middle C Position
  • The Staff
  • The Bass Clef
  • The Treble Clef
  • The Grand Staff
  • Melodic and harmonic intervals:
    2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
  • G Position
  • Legato
  • Sharps / F#
  • Flats / Bb
  • Staccato
  • Incomplete measures
  • Tempo markings
  • Eighth notes and rests
  • Damper pedal
  • Half steps and whole steps
  • Major scale
  • Tetrachords

​​Popular Hits, which Carolyne will play as a duet along with your child, include:
  • All About That Bass (Meghan Trainor) 
  • Baby (Justin Bieber) 
  • Batman Theme 
  • Believer (American Authors) 
  • Cantina Band (Star Wars A New Hope) 
  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (from movie)
  • Clouds (Zach Sobiech) 
  • Cool Kids (Echosmith) 
  • Everything Is Awesome (LEGO Movie)
  • I'll Stand by You (The Pretenders) 
  • Iron Man (from movie) 
  • Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars) 
  • Let It Go (from Walt Disney's Frozen) 
  • Mamma Mia (from Mamma Mia!) 
  • May the Force (Empire Strikes Back) 
  • Minecraft (from Minecraft) 
  • Moog City (from Minecraft) 
  • The Quidditch World Cup (Goblet of Fire) 
  • Theme from Superman 
  • When Can I See You Again?(Wreck-It)
  • Wreck It, Wreck-It Ralph (Wreck-It) 

​40 pages
​​
View sample
​Retail Price: $10

Popular Hits Complete Level 2 and 3 Combined Book

Alfred's Basic Piano Library:
​Popular Hits Complete Levels 2 & 3
This book is a compilation of Level 2 and Level 3 Popular Hits Books.

Method Concepts
  • Dotted half notes, dotted quarter notes
  • Melodic and harmonic intervals:
    6ths, 7ths and octaves
  • Crossing two over one
  • Scales
  • Triads, primary chords, blocked and broken chords
  • Overlapping pedal
  • 3/8 and 6/8 time signatures
  • Primary triads in Major and Minor keys
  • Passing one under two / one under three
  • Major scales in contrary motion
  • Chromatic scale
  • Minor scale
    ​
Content:
  • All Night (Icona Pop)
  • Best Day of My Life (American Authors)
  • The Big Bang Theory (Main Title)
  • Colour My World (Chicago)
  • Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)
  • Flicker (Kanye West Rework)
  • Hedwig's Theme (Sorcerer's Stone)
  • James Bond Theme
  • Maybe (from Annie)
  • Over the Rainbow (Kamakawiwo'ole)
  • Raiders March (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
  • Run with the Herd (The Good Dinosaur)
  • See You Again (from Furious 7)
  • Some Nights (Fun)
  • Star Wars (Main Theme)
  • Take On the World (Girl Meets World)
  • What Do You Mean? (Justin Bieber)
  • When She Loved Me (Toy Story 2)
  • You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
  • You're Never Fully Dressed (Annie)
  • You've Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story)
    ​
48 pages
​
​View sample
​Retail Price: $10​