The Pianodao Music Library brings together all of the piano repertoire which has been reviewed, shared or otherwise featured on Pianodao. As such it is a varied, extensive, inclusive, and ever expanding body of carefully curated music.
Elementary music is suitable for players at around UK Initial to Grade 2 level or equivalent.
There are more than 400 titles in the full archive, from which selected highlights are showcased below. You can also explore the full archive, and check out the most recent reviews here:
The following selections showcase publications that my regular students have enjoyed and that I frequently recommend. The selections offer a core program of classical, contemporary, and jazz music suitable for each level.
My Publications
The Joy of Graded Piano
My latest set of publications, these five new repertoire books from Yorktown Music Press herald the return of one of the most iconic piano series of all time.
Graded Gillock • Three Essential Collections
William Gillock’ music continues to inspire piano students around the world with its catchy tunes and imaginative content. My three collections deliver 41 of his very best pieces, sorted by level and including my playing tips.
Naoko Ikeda Graded Collection
For this publication I have selected and edited 24 of Naoko Ikeda’s best solo works, presenting her pieces in approximate order of difficulty, grouped from Grade 2 to Grade 5 level.
How to Practise Music
The essential, pocket-sized companion for every musician!
Accessible and authoritative, HOW TO PRACTISE MUSIC is Andrew’s highly acclaimed book of tips for anyone who wants to get more out of their practice…
Early Elementary (Initial to Grade 1)
Rendezvous at the Zoo
Given Jennifer Linn’s popularity in the US this collection will surely be another best-seller there, while here in the UK, I would also certainly encourage teachers to take a look at “Rendezvous at the Zoo” for some fresh, imaginative and highly useful repertoire at this level…
ABRSM Piano Star
ABRSM Publishing’s colourful Piano Star series of books for elementary players has been one of their most brilliant and popular successes of recent years, and I was happy to be a contributor, my original compositions featuring in all of the four core music books.
Ben Crosland’s Magic Beans
Ben Crosland’s ‘Beans’ series is outstanding, and ‘Magic Beans’ easily lives up to the very high standards set by its predecessors…
June Armstrong: Safari
Aimed at “beginner to pre-grade 1 standard”, the most striking aspect of this collection is the brilliant and vivid portrayal of the subject matter…
Kerstin Strecke • Little Moods
I am genuinely excited by this beautifully presented and keenly priced collection, and think it could prove to be a real winner. Kirsten Strecke has delivered an inspiring collection of 15 easy pieces which offer a springboard for a truly creative education…
Celtic Piano Music • Elementary
Donald Thomson’s Celtic Piano Music: Initial to Grade 2 offers an outstanding and varied selection of excellent pieces in a beautifully produced publication that players can treasure and dip into over a period of a couple of years…
Later Elementary (Grades 1-2)
Jazzin’ About the Year
It might just be the perfect book of pieces for children learning the piano who are around UK Grade 1-2 level… Let’s take a look!
The Gradebusters Series
“Gradebusters” from Hal Leonard, now encompasses five solo piano books, for Grades 1 to 5, each delivering “15 awesome solos”, and together serving up a rich feast of 75 universally popular and neatly arranged songs that piano players everywhere will be keen to play…
ABRSM: Pop Performer!
The inclusion of excellent pop song arrangements within the traditional graded piano syllabus has arrived in style!
Find out all about ABSRSM’s Pop Performer books in the full Pianodao review here:
Celebrating Disney
As the Disney centenary draws to a close, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to highlight some of the recent publications from Hal Leonard celebrating the studio’s unrivalled catalogue of hit songs, spanning the decades…
Piano Grades Are Go!
Victoria Proudler’s brilliantly catchy pieces are going to be a real hit, motivating young players while also raising the quality of their musicianship. This first collection is suitable at Initial to Grade 1 level…
Jason Sifford’s KEYBOP
Not another set of jazzy books for young pianists, I hear you say. But stay with me, because these ones are really worth a look…
The Full Archive…
There’s truly something here for every player. Dig deep using the Pianodao Search or enjoy a leisurely exploration of the full archive:
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