Are you an intermediate level pianist wondering what to do next?
The middle stage of piano playing is one of the most important levels of piano playing in my experience as a musician and private tutor.
You are reading: Piano music books for intermediate
The intermediate level is the point just before moving on to being able to play most piano music. for you, it’s about finishing the fundamental techniques for playing the piano. A good resume is essential for this.
This is why I have reviewed many books over the years to make this list of the best piano books for intermediate level musicians.
The best piano books for intermediate level musicians should be engaging and full of authentic songs while also reinforcing and pushing with fundamentals and techniques. Our picks include:
- john thompson adult piano course – book 2: later elementary level to early intermediate level
- classics to modern in the intermediate grade
- the giant book of Intermediate Classical Piano Music
- Piano Masterpieces: Intermediate Level
- 100 Left Hand Patterns Every Pianist Should Know
- Bonus: Flow Key
search for specific reviews and more information.
review of the best piano books for intermediate players
This section delves into each of these books in a little more detail. use this information to help you decide which one you want to get.
note: prices change all the time, so I’ll mention general price ranges for each product. you will have to click the button to check the most current prices.
john thompson piano course for adults – book 2: upper elementary to early intermediate level
I’m putting this one here because I’m willing to bet that a lot of people reading this post are adults. Johnson’s series of books is aimed at the adult learner, and this second book in his series is made for the intermediate player.
At an affordable price, this book will cover the fundamentals and technical aspects of piano performance that you need to be comfortable with to advance your skills.
There are actual songs embedded, so it’s pretty easy to stay motivated.
The audio that accompanies this is also artsy and enjoyable to listen to. this provides a good model of how you want your own performance to sound.
As an adult-focused book, the book’s teaching style provides more detail and allows the adult to be more self-directed in their learning.
pros of this book:
- inexpensive
- aimed at adults
- good combination of technique and singing
cons of this book:
- not so useful for younger students
classic to modern in the intermediate grade
This book is one that I personally love to take out and play.
is a collection of mid-priced songs at the intermediate level. This book will need to be paired with a teacher or apprenticeship program to help you advance your skills and develop technique from him.
However, the songs cover a wide range of tunes, from traditional classical to more modern selections.
I like this book because it doesn’t just repeat the same classic melodies that you hear over and over again on the piano.
also has some unique ones.
all songs can be achieved at an intermediate level (although some will require more practice than others).
Working through this book is a great way to prepare for advanced work while still learning songs to play for people.
pros of this book:
- wide variety of songs to learn
- covers classic and modern themes
- all intermediate level songs
cons of this book:
- no specific or sequenced instruction or exercises
the giant book of intermediate classical music for piano
In the same vein as the previous one, this giant book of classical piano music has a higher price tag but contains a large number of songs.
These songs belong to the classical genre (although not only to the classical period of music).
All of these songs are achievable for intermediate level players, but there are some that are quite simple or quite difficult for this level.
The songbook is extensive and would take a while to play through, but the variety of songs at this level also has a technical benefit.
many composers of the time, especially in the baroque period, wrote songs specifically to be used as technical exercises while still sounding good. Bach in particular was well known for this.
many of these songs will work as fundamentals.
however, no specific instructions are included.
pros of this book:
- great song list
- good for pushing intermediate players to the next level
- many of the songs contain technique development skills
cons of this book:
- highest price
- no specific instructions
See where to donate a piano if you’re buying a new one.
Piano Masterworks: Intermediate Level
This book is essentially a lighter (and more affordable) version of the previous book.
This collection of classical melodies are the ones that almost everyone knows, even those with limited knowledge of classical music.
These songs are perfect for intermediate players and, for the most part, don’t go overboard and become too difficult.
As with songs from this era, many of them are excellent exercises for developing technical skills. but as a bonus, these “exercises” are actual songs to play.
The book does not contain any specific sequential instruction, but when combined with an instructional book or online program, it is a masterful combination.
The lowest price can help you get this book and the method of instruction of your choice.
pros of this book:
- engaging classic songs
- just in the middle range
- affordable price for the number of songs you receive
cons of this book:
- no specific instructions
- no modern songs
100 Left Hand Patterns Every Pianist Should Know
This book may seem like an odd choice since it’s not made specifically for intermediate players, but this mid-priced book is one I recommend to all piano students, regardless of their level.
However, I consider this book to be a must for intermediate pianists.
The biggest difficulty for 99% of piano students is left-hand coordination.
This book knows this and points directly to this problem.
is divided into two sections.
The first is a comprehensive and practical explanation of several important ways to use the left hand to “complete” a song.
contains practical exercises and examples to work on the most difficult aspect of playing the piano: the left hand.
These exercises and techniques are useful for any pianist of any level.
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The second half of the book is a fake book. a fake book contains the melody of a song and chords.
The chords are not explained to allow you the freedom to play them however you like using the techniques learned in the first half of the book.
Basically, you get a very useful skill and you’re given a practical application of it all in one place.
The songs used are also mostly popular songs that you have heard before. These are all at different levels, but intermediate players should be able to pick up most of these with a bit of practice.
pros of this book:
- isolates left hand skills
- fun and engaging songs
- direct instruction and exercises on important intermediate level skills
cons of this book:
- does not focus on all piano techniques
bonus: flow key
flowkey is an online piano learning program and application developed by yamaha.
This program is a perfect tool for intermediate players (and any player really).
Essentially, the program has two main purposes:
- video and interactive courses and lessons for all levels
- a huge list of over 1500 songs, all with learning tools and videos
Use it alone or in conjunction with any of the above books and you’ll be on your way fast.
see 7 reasons you’ll love learning to play piano with flowkey for more details.
frequently asked questions
Can I learn to play the piano without a piano? – yes! it’s hard, but possible.
get a keyboard if possible. but there are mats and other practice options to check out.
know the 5 ways to play without a piano.
How many hours a day should I practice piano? – well, it depends on how fast you want to improve.
In general, I tell my students to practice at least 15 minutes a day every day. going up to an hour should be enough for most people.
More is fine, as long as you don’t feel frustrated or bored.
practice should be done with concentration and enthusiasm, not with resignation.
Why do pianists raise their hands? – You will see this a lot with professional pianists, especially classical ones.
While some consider the lift to be largely for show, it actually helps the musician connect the feeling of the phrase in their mind and heart.
This affects the way the musician plays the music.
final thoughts
I hope you find my list of the best piano books for intermediate musicians helpful.
if you stick to books, i recommend john thompson’s book. it’s quite affordable and has a good mix of instruction with actual songs.
You’ll still want to play more songs, so it would make sense to complement it with one of the others. but the pattern book on the left has instructions and songs to learn.
Of course, getting flowkey (try it for free) will only help you learn faster and stay motivated.
Pick one and play! keep practicing, you will improve and have fun!