It’s time for a Summer weekend competition, and today’s chosen publication is the new Faber Music Easy Piano Anthology. Over the years, I’ve covered many of Faber’s new piano publications, and this one, in my opinion, will be particularly useful for teachers and their elementary students, due to the fact that most of the chosen repertoire is reasonably simple. One should never underestimate the necessity of simplicity in the piano teacher’s studio. Some publications aim to fall into the ‘simple’ or elementary category, but, on flicking through the volume, my heart inevitably sinks when I view pieces of Grade 5 or 6 level (or above).
This smart tome starts at around Grade 1 – 2 level, with plenty for the elementary student to enjoy (and it goes to around Grade 5 – 6 level). Containing a large collection of arrangements and ‘favourites’, it features everything from pop tunes and musical theatre numbers to jazz standards, as well as plenty for the Classical music lover; there is definitely something to suit all tastes. And for those who are more advanced, this volume would provide excellent sight-reading material.
I played through a few pieces, including the ‘Largo’ from the New World Symphony (Dvorak), ‘Ave Maria’ (Schubert), ‘All Through The Night ‘ (Trad.), ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’ (George and Ira Gershwin), ‘Imagine’ (Lennon), the Star Wars ‘Main Theme’ (Williams), ‘Scarborough Fair’ (Trad.), ‘On The Street Where You Live’ (Lerner and Loewe), ‘The Rose’ (McBroom), ‘City of Stars’ from La La Land (Pasek, Paul and Hurwitz), and ‘Space Oddity’ (Bowie). This smattering should be enough to whet your appetite!
I have two books for two lucky readers. To take part in this competition, all you need to do is leave a comment in the comment box at the end of this post. I will select the two winners on Monday evening (British time). Good luck!
For more information or to purchase, click here.
Publications
Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.
For more information, please visit the publications page, here.
Melanie Spanswick 
Could this really be sight-reading material for me, after 8 years of learning piano? I’m currently in a bit of a slump with my studies, looking for fresh pieces to lure me back to the piano in this sweltering summer. I find simple blues/jazz pieces particularly enticing – while I wait to be ready for Kapustin’s Sonatina!
The selections seem to be eclectic and quite good for returning adult students !
This looks absolutely fantastic and I can see it appealing to adult learners who want to play familiar pieces . Love the range of abilities too so it’s excellent value for money and provides the motivation for wanting to improve rather than sticking in your comfort zone.
I’d be delighted to get this! Thanks for the opportunity!
Having played for 19 months, this sounds perfect to me! Especially Bowie : )
Looks like a really nice collection.
As a recent convert to the piano, this looks to be an interesting book.
What I need at this moment is a book of interesting tunes to get my teeth into, the Faber Music Easy Piano Anthology would appear to fit the bill.
I already own The Piano Anthology and Play it Again books. They’re great.I would love to add this to my collection! Thanks Melanie.
I owned three volumes of Play It Again and I have been using them as my teaching guide. Thank you Melanie for introducing them to us here in Singapore. I also use No Words Necessary as expressive etudes for some of my students to improve on their artistry.
The Faber Music Easy Piano Anthology sounds exciting for sight reading, I hope to get a hold of them one day.
Looks like a lovely collection. What an engaging set of pieces – I shall certainly look to buy a set.
Hello, Mrs. Spanswick
Thanks for your support for all differently piano teachers around the world. The Faber’s books have been very useful for our work with different students, and I enjoy this pieces to play with my students. I ‘ll appreciate if I could have one of this great books.
Sorry for my English, I write from Colombia.
Greetings!
This looks like a great compilation especially for choosy adult or teenage students . I’d LOVE to win one!!
What a great collection of music presented at playable levels. Anyone would be pleased to play these pieces. This is lovely book with beautiful images too. Enticing!
A sophisticated presentation of widely-appealing music that is accessible to many — this looks like a winner! Thank you for bringing it to our attention, Melanie!
I have just started to learn the piano after a couple months of getting sick to my teeth of quarantine, this would be fantastic!
Stay safe!
I agree with your view Melanie that simplicity is a virtue. It encourages success and builds motivation. The recognition of familiar melodies leads to encouragement from non-pianist friends and family. It’s a fantastic gateway to more challenging repertoire.
Both books look like a fine addition to a teachers resource library. Thank you very much.
Hi Melanie. I started playing guitar and writing songs when I was 16 (37 short years ago) but for various reasons I went for a very long period without doing anything musical, something I really regret. Songwriting is my real passion (there doesn’t seem to be a moment when a germ of another song is flowering in my head – I haven’t come with the one classic that would satisfy me yet.) Anyway, about 6 weeks ago I started learning to play the keyboard, something I’d been planning to do for a while, knowing it would open a whole new horizon for songwriting. I’ve been getting getting up at 5 in the morning to get a bit of practice in, and although progress feels slow, I am loving it and can’t wait to see where I am in a year or so. Found this website because I was checking out the use of the Alexander Technique. I had heard of it but never knew that musicians used it. Anyway, I’d better wind up there or I’ll go on forever. Cheers.
Always good to find out about new collections. This one seems to better fit the easy category like you said. I really like the cover design too.
I would be delighted to delve into this anthology particularly for some of my younger pupils who have a insatiable thirst for a broad range of music but dont have access to buying book after book of new material. With parents supporting them who will appreciate and know some of the classics, this looks like an ideal resource to really appeal and excite the pupils and parents alike. I would love to see this and be able to recommend it.
Just what we need to spice up the start of term! Thank you for giving us the opportunity.
I love the variety of genres featured here; classical, jazz, musicals, pop music and film music including Bowie and La La Land! A wonderful selection with accompanying practise tips! I’ve always loved teaching my students music in different styles! As Duke Ellington said “there’s only two kinds of music; good music and bad music” and this book is full of mighty good tunes!
This looks like a book that my teenage pupils would enjoy getting their teeth into. And adult pupils would really enjoy this – it actually contains pieces that they can play, rather than bearing the title “Easy” but proving too challenging.
Play it again Piano Books 1 and 2 have been my “go to” during lockdown. The Easy Piano Anthology looks like the perfect way to consolidate my rediscovery of the piano before taking the step to Play it again Piano Book 3.
Many thanks to those who took part in this competition, which has now ended 🙂