About the Series
Play it again: PIANO is designed for those ‘returning’ to the piano after a break. This could be anyone from a child or teenager to an adult. It’s an excellent progressive compendium providing interesting and useful repertoire for those stages between piano exams. Plus, it provides helpful information on piano technique, scales, arpeggios, and sight-reading.
Play it again: PIANO is a four-book series consisting of a Prep Book, and Books 1 – 3. Book 2 follows on from where Book 1 left off. You can find out more about Book 1 by clicking here. Book 2 is a progressive, graded course. It takes students from intermediate level up to advanced. This ranges approximately from Grade 4/5 up to Grade 8 +.
What you can expect to find in this series
The course consists of 97 piano pieces. There are 37 pieces in the Prep Book, 28 pieces in Book 1, 21 in Book 2, and 11 in Book 3. The majority of these pieces are drawn from standard repertoire with an emphasis on pedagogical works, starting at a late beginner level (pre-Grade 1) and progressing through to advanced (Associate Diploma). The Prep Book focuses on developing notation and note reading skills, whereas Book 1 – 3 begin with an extensive ‘technique’ section, including plenty of technical reminders and practice recommendations. Book 1 and 2 have a ‘theory’ section at the end and Book 3 has warm-up exercises. Each piece contains at least two pages of practice ideas and tips. It also has many musical examples, diagrams, and photographs. As this is a progressive course, you can ‘return’ to a level that suits your current standard. Some may want to start at the beginning, and this is what I suggest, as it can be a valuable exercise. But you might play at a much higher level and prefer to ‘drop in’ at Book 2 or a later stage.
The Prep Book is divided into three levels, Book 1 and 2, are divided into four levels, and Book 3, two levels. Book 2 includes the following sections: Late Intermediate, Early Advanced, Advanced, and Late Advanced. This course is not exam based, however, it’s helpful to know the approximate grades for each level. Late Intermediate is roughly Grade 5 – 6 level (ABRSM exam standard). Early Advanced corresponds to Grade 6 – 7, Advanced aligns with Grade 7 – 8. Finally, Late Advanced covers Grade 8 and above.
Every level contains a group of pieces. There are six in the Late Intermediate and Early Advanced levels, and five in the Advanced section. Additionally, there are four pieces in the Late Advanced selection. My brief was to include a wide variety of styles and genres, so there’s plenty for those who enjoy lighter contemporary styles such as Rock, Ragtime, and Blues, as well as a selection of well-known original classical pieces and some lesser known gems, too.
Book 2 Repertoire
Late Intermediate
C.P.E. Bach: Solfegietto C minor H 220
L.v. Beethoven: Für Elise WoO 69
F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Song Without Words, op. 30/3
H. Berens: Study F Major, op. 88/18
E. Cobb: Lavender Haze
M. Spanswick: Seahorse Dream
Early Advanced
G.F. Händel: Allegro from Suite G Major HWV 441
W.A. Mozart: Allegro from Sonata C Major KV 545
L.v. Beethoven: Adagio Sostenuto from “Moonlight” Sonata, op. 27/2
J.B. Cramer: Study C Major, op. 50/1
J. Brahms: Waltz A-flat Major, op. 39/15
S. Hormuth: Sweat Feet Stomp
Advanced
F. Schubert: Impromptu A-flat Major D 935/2
S. Heller: Warrior’s Song, op. 45/15
C. Debussy: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair L 117/8
Trad/B.Carson Turner: Londonderry Air
J. Turina: Fiesta, op. 52/7
Late Advanced
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue C minor BWV 847
F. Chopin: Raindrop Prelude, op. 28/15
S. Joplin: The Entertainer
S. Rachmaninov: Prelude in C-sharp minor, op. 3/2
Layout
I’ve included the scale and arpeggio of the key of each piece where appropriate. I have also added warm-up exercises tailored to certain pieces and there are numerous practice ideas encouraging you to use different methods to break pieces down. These methods help in re-assembling them with ease and with a greater understanding. Each piece contains fingering, dynamic suggestions and (where necessary) some pedalling. Although you may choose to ignore this and add your own. All the information provided for every piece is transferable to an infinite number of piano works, therefore building solid practical methods for tackling different styles and genres.
The pages are well laid out and they include ‘tips’ and ‘technique’ box-outs. I hope it’s an easy to use course which inspires pianists to rekindle their love for the piano.
Hear all the pieces in this volume by clicking on the link below:
Play it again: PIANO Book 2 – 21 pieces
You can order your copy of Play it again: PIANO Book 2 from many online shops and websites worldwide including musicroom.com, prestomusic.com and Amazon. Click on the link below to order from Schott Music’s website:
Find out more about the Play it again: PIANO Prep Book, here.
Find out more about the Play it again: PIANO Book 1, here.
Fond out more about the Play it again: PIANO Book 3, here.
Reviews
‘These books are well-presented and contain plenty of sound and helpful advice for restarters.’
Pianist Magazine
‘The repertoire throughout the series is varied and touches upon all important pianistic skills, providing a complete reintroduction to the keyboard. Play it again: PIANO is a great way to get back into music’
‘The Ultimate Guide to the Best Piano Methods’ – Toronto Arts Academy
‘What I really like, and as a teacher am grateful for, are the practical and straightforward tips at the start of the books and then preceding each piece. This enables the pianist to be independent and steers the teacher in the right direction. Highly Recommended!‘
Music Teacher Magazine
‘The content is insightful and engaging for adults who are independent learners. Teachers could use this collection as a model for how to systematically guide learners to independently apply appropriate practice techniques. Spanswick’s approachable and methodical tone is appealing and emphasizes musicianship.’
The American Music Teacher Journal
‘I’m a massive fan of these books and use them with students. BRAVO Melanie Spanswick! The new one (Book 3) too is fantastic!’
Karen Marshall, leading UK music educationalist
‘These new method books will be particularly useful for some of my adult students.‘
The Collaborative Piano Blog
‘Taken as a whole, one might regard Spanswick trilogy as as a ‘fast track’ progressive course for those who have had past experiences of the piano but want to get back to it, but for whom time might be an issue. I can immediately think of dozens of adult amateurs who will welcome Book 3 – players who have reached a certain stage in their lives and want to return to the piano without pedantically segmenting their practice into separate areas of study for scales, exercises, repertoire and so on.
The strength of Spanswick’s approach is her ability to unify many of the different elements that must be mastered to play with authority. Book 3 begins with excellent concentrated tips on posture, flexibility and alignment. There are reassuringly specific photographs and non-intimidating exercises. Repertoire is diversely contrasted, but always attractive, and is presented with excellent historical background notes, helpful technical tips, and other useful practice suggestions. A superb resource: strongly recommended.’
International Piano Magazine
‘From retracing the earliest steps in learning, right through to preparation for a professional diploma, Play it Again: Piano furnishes the adult pianist with a wealth of insight, information and inspiration. It is a genuinely useful, ground breaking and to the best of my knowledge unique course, certainly deserving of a place in every pianist and teacher’s library.
It is abundantly clear that a huge amount of thought, work and expertise has gone into each and every element of these superb books, and it’s all paid off handsomely: Play it Again: Piano is simply one of the most brilliantly conceived and stunningly produced sheet music publications of recent years.
Writing reviews can at times necessitate an element of speculation, but this inspiring series has already passed the ultimate test: my own adult students love and are truly inspired by the first two books; the arrival of the third is welcome news indeed! Outstanding.’
