Review: New from the First 50 Series

First 50 Three-Chord Songs You Should Play On The Piano

First 50 Four-Chord Songs You Should Play On The Piano

(Easy Piano)

These two publications will be invaluable additions to any teacher’s library.  The arrangements of all the songs are built around only 3 (or 4) chords, in fairly simple keys (up to 2 sharps or flats). The arrangements vary in difficulty from easy (around Prelim/Grade 1 level) to early intermediate (Grade 3 level), and although the arrangements are relatively simple, they capture the essence of the songs, with fairly straight-forward single or 2-note accompaniments. Lyrics are included, as are chord names, which could be used to improvise more complex accompaniments, or for students wanting to accompany themselves singing. Of particular appeal is the presence of many newer popular songs, along with some old favourites.

Highlights in the Three Chord book include: All About That Bass, Leaving On A Jet Plane, Riptide, Royals, and Shake It Off. The Four Chord book includes Sara Bareilles’ Brave, Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life), Adele’s Hello, and many more.

Contents

First 50 Three-Chord Songs You Should Play On The Piano

Songs include: Ain’t No Sunshine • All About That Bass • Beat It • Cecilia • Clocks • Eleanor Rigby • Folsom Prison Blues • Hound Dog • I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For • Jolene • Just the Way You Are • La Bamba • Lean on Me • Leaving on a Jet Plane • Me and Bobby McGee • Old Time Rock & Roll • Route 66 • Royals • Shake It Off • Twist and Shout • Werewolves of London • and more!

249666   $31.95   Full Contents Here

First 50 Four-Chord Songs You Should Play On The Piano

Brave • Cecilia • Despacito • Fields of Gold • Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) • Ho Hey • I’m Yours • Let It Be • Mean • Peaceful Easy Feeling • Roar • Stand by Me • Toes • Viva La Vida • With or Without You • You Raise Me Up • and more.

249562   $31.95   Full Contents Here

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BONUS REVIEW!

First 50 Pop Ballads You Should Play On The Piano

First 50 Latin Songs You Should Play On The Piano

Easy Piano

In the same series as the Three Chord and Four Chord songbook collections, these two books will be a great addition to any student’s repertoire.

The Latin Songs collection includes simple arrangements of Latin standards, and provides a great introduction to different Latin rhythms (e.g. Tango, Bossa Nova, Samba etc.) through familiar songs and tunes. Most pieces are in simple keys (up to 2 flats or sharps), but the difficulty level is somewhat higher than the other collections in the series due to the complex syncopated rhythms and more intricate harmonic structure. Lyrics and chord symbols are included, which will help with some of the more difficult syncopation, but overall this collection provides some wonderful challenges for students at around Grade 1 to 3 level. Highlights include ‘Aguas de Marco’, ‘Spanish Harlem’, ‘Hernando’s Hideaway’, ‘Mambo No. 5’, ‘Sway’, ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ and Piazzolla’s ‘Libertango’.

The Pop Ballads collection is a similar level of difficulty, without the same rhythmic complexity, and incorporates ballads from favourite musical, movies, and pop singers/song-writers from the 1960’s through to today. Again, lyrics and chord symbols are included to help facilitate learning these solo piano versions of familiar tunes, and adult and teenage students at a beginner to early intermediate level will be sure to find something appealing in the range of songs presented. Highlights include ‘Beautiful’ (Christina Aguilera), ‘Bring Him Home’ (Les Mis), ‘Fields of Gold’ (Sting), ‘Speechless’ (Lady Gaga), ‘So Far Away’ (Carole King), and ‘Killing Me Softly’ (Roberta Flack).

Contents

First 50 Pop Ballads You Should Play On The Piano

Bridge over Troubled Water • (They Long to Be) Close to You • Don’t Let the Sun Go down on Me • Ebony and Ivory • Fields of Gold • The Greatest Love of All • Hello • Imagine • Just the Way You Are • Killing Me Softly with His Song • Lady in Red • More Than Words • One More Night • The Power of Love • Right Here Waiting • Superman (It’s Not Easy) • Total Eclipse of the Heart • Wonderful Tonight • You Are So Beautiful • and more.

248987   $31.95   Full Contents Here

First 50 Latin Songs You Should Play On The Piano

Água De Beber (Water to Drink) • Bésame Mucho (Kiss Me Much) • Conga • A Day in the Life of a Fool (Manha De Carnaval) • Desafinado • Frenesí • The Girl from Ipanema (Garota De Ipanema) • Hernando’s Hideaway • How Insensitive (Insensatez) • Libertango • Mas Que Nada • Meditation (Meditacao) • One Note Samba (Samba De Uma Nota So) • Oye Como Va • Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) • So Nice (Summer Samba) • Sway (Quien Sera) • Wave • You Belong to My Heart (Solamente Una Vez) • and more.

248747   $31.95   Full Contents Here

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