Top 5 Best Piano Books for Intermediate Players – A Quick Overview

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With so many musical instruments to choose from, it’s only natural to want to learn them all as quickly as possible. Each instrument has its own rhythm, calling to the heart in a different way, but when it comes to the piano, nothing can beat its classy tone and heart-touching aftertaste.

There are many ways to learn the ways of legends when it comes to the piano, with books being no exception. Here, we will discuss the best piano books for intermediate players that you can use to learn or help a loved one navigate through the learning curve of playing the piano.

But before we get into it, it’s important to point out that these books can help you go from intermediate to advanced. But if you want to go pro at playing the piano or are simply impatient, a little help can go a long way.

Taking professional piano lessons can not only boost your performance but your confidence as well. Along with book recommendations, you’ll also find our pick for the best online piano lessons platform.

So, let’s dive in!

Best Piano Books for Intermediate Players

1. Dozen a Day Book 1

This compilation by Edna Mae Burnam is a universally recognized book for piano lessons that serves to help people who’ve got a handle on the basics. The book is laid out rather wonderfully with step-by-step lessons that can be understood easily.

It’s a continuation of A Dozen a Day Preparatory Book which is a good choice for those just starting out with the piano.

You’ll learn more about the different notes and how you can combine each of them together to play tunes that touch the heart. Once you’re done with the Dozen a Day series, you’ll be able to tackle some of the more difficult music sheets out there.

The book is available for FREE with the Kindle app, but for those of you who love the feel of paper, you can purchase the paperback version thanks to Readable. You can also purchase the music sheets separately if you’re simply looking for a challenge, not a tutorial.

2. Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Notespeller Books

These are a bunch of books, not just one, from the renowned publisher and teacher E. L. Lancaster. The basic piano library books are designed for children aged 5-7, teaching them not only the basics but also some intermediate skills. It allows children to explore the world of piano on their own once finished.

While this book is a perfect match for children, E. L. Lancaster hasn’t left out middle-aged or older people. Alfred’s Basic Piano Library books perform just as well at teaching the piano to people aged 60 or above.

The book is laid out in a manner so as to be easy for people to grasp, helping them learn as well as teach. However, it isn’t uncommon for people to want a professional hand over themselves when going through these books.

For that, you can choose to get online courses from tutors like Piano for All.

3. Piano Sonata in C Major – Mozart

Put together by yet another legend, the Piano Sonata can seem rather daunting at first – especially as it tries to explain one of the more difficult, yet equally famous compositions of Beethoven. However, the book does a very good job at teaching symphonies like the Moonlight Sonata.

You’ll have your own Carnegie Hall at your home once you’re done with this book, giving guests a reason to return soon. Quasi-beginners and intermediate players will definitely have a blast learning from this book, regardless of whether they try it on their own or with the help of professionals.

You’ll simply need someone looking over you as you play, and it doesn’t have to be someone well-versed in piano, either. The book does an exceptional job at explaining what you might end up doing wrong, so the overseer can keep an eye out for that.

Mozart certainly knew what he was doing when compiling this book. If you’re looking to walk in the footsteps of the legendary Beethoven, Mozart presents an easy way of doing just that!

4. Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27, No. 2 (Complete) – Ludwig van Beethoven

Written by the man himself, this is how you play Beethoven’s famous yet infamous Moonlight Sonata. Famous for touching the heart in all the right places but infamous at the same time for being very difficult. The second movement, i.e. this book, has been revered by many as one of the easiest versions of the melody out there.

All you need is some basic knowledge of notes and sharps, but more sharps than normal since Beethoven relied mostly on sharps to formulate this tune. Professional teachers around the globe have used the teachings of this book as the entry-point for students to move towards more serious, classical music.

 

 

5. Celebration Series (from The Royal Conservatory)

Featured in almost every high-end piano class, the Celebration Series Piano Repertoire features all-time classics as well as some challenging repertoire of tunes to interest the student from time to time. The book stands tall, quite literally, at 12 inches so as to ensure that music sheets don’t leak onto the next page.

The book also features an online audio link in place of a CD (pre-2019 version) to help the student get a better understanding of what they’re learning. We recommend getting the help of online tutors with this book because on its own, it might end up overwhelming you.

Piano for All has proven itself time and time again to help over half a million students get a firm grip on the intricate instrument that is the piano. If you or your loved one is trying the piano out for the first time or simply trying to get a better grip on the ropes, give them a try.

The world of piano is a rich one with each note showcasing a long history behind it. Every keystroke has the capability of telling a story, and that is where you get creating. When you’re sitting in front of a piano, the possibilities are endless. So get a hold of these best piano books for intermediate players and start exploring this musical instrument!

 

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Red
Hi, I'm Red, the Chief Editor of Red Diamond Audio.