Piano Solos for All Occasions: The Complete Resource for Every Pianist!

I bought this book only a month after picking up piano as an adult after a 20 year gap. I could not play the songs then- they were too hard and put this book away and I got into Dan Coates for a year. Eventually I got better and Dan Coates books became too easy and repetitive. That’s when I came back to this book. It’s great. Interesting arrangements, more complex and cool sounding and perfect for my intermediate skill level. Like a fun graduation present to myself. I also find the songs much more varied than Dan Coates ‘advanced’ pieces that just frustrate me with all the crossovers and finger stretching frills. This book is not advanced but it’s very doable and really challenges me in different and fun ways. Its my main practice tool now and I would love to find more like it.

I expected this book to be a little more complex, more of a real intermediate level. But the arrangements are really late beginner to very early intermediate, nice as they are for that level. A very complete compilation, nice, easy arrangements that are perfect for a late beginner. But way to simple for me to really enjoy as a late intermediate/early advanced player. I did learn a lesson here, to not purchase music unless I can actually see something from inside the book, at least a couple of pages so I can see how simple or advanced the arrangements really are.UPDATE: After going through this book a little more fully I have found that not all the pieces here are as simple as I first thought. Some yes, but then there are rhythms I have not played before and some of the 'simple' pieces have some chord structures mixed in that are more difficult. I upgraded my review from 3 stars to 4 stars as the arrangements are really beautiful. All in all, a good book that it looks like I will enjoy more than I originally thought. Kind of nice not to struggle too much to get a good sound.

I bought this book because I was looking for an arrangement of Ashokan Farewell that wasn't overly simple. And, since I've had no trouble with one of Coates' "intermediate" books, I was curious to see how hard his "Advanced" arrangements were. My heart fell when I paged through the book. These aren't easy. I was ready to return the book, but decided to give it a chance. I was able to sight-read (with both hands) many of the songs---though very, very slowly. I feel like a rank beginner, but I think it will be worth sticking with because it will force me to work harder to learn the songs I really like. Along with hard work, I may also try to simplify the rough parts, tackle mostly the slower pieces and concentrate on the (easier) beginning sections of the tunes---before the hairy key signatures, big, scary chords and spacious hand positions that travel out to the fringes of the keyboard start kicking in. There really is nothing wrong with this book, just my ability to play the music.

I have stacks of books but I’m glad I ordered this one - a better variety than many, with varying levels of difficulty, as another posted noted. I’m a strong sight reader and only a few i.e. Canon, would require work w/ fingering. I would trade several books for this ONE.

As the title of the book says "Piano Solos for All Occasions", it does have pieces for a variety of occasions. The 2 pieces I've practiced so far are the popular "fur Elise" and "Canon in D". Both of those pieces are for intermediate level.The challenging level varies from intermediate level to advanced level. So if you want to challenge yourself, you are right at home.It has a few jazz musics, such as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and some other show tunes musics that have some jazz on them.

This collection of 65 pieces, has good choices of songs for the different categories of music that someone playing piano gigs will need to know. These include showtunes, jazz tunes, classical, Latin, pop-rock, love songs, standards, and even miscellaneous songs such as Hava Nagila, and the Star Spangled Banner. The basic piano arrangements are good, but not too complicated. A good pianist can use these basic arrangements and go on and improvise two or three more choruses. But for the non-improvising pianist, the arrangements will sound good. Even for the improvising pianist, these written arrangements give a good idea of how the song should probably feel. That's why they are better than simply using a lead sheet or fake book. And, for the non-performing pianist, they are just plain fun to play. You will find many of your favorite songs in this book.

Like this book very much. I'd rate myself as an intermediate pianist. Sight-reading is adequate, but I am by no means in the "advanced" category. The arrangements are lovely, and as others have said - "not too hard" and "not too easy". I was looking specifically for a nice arrangement of "Ave Marie" - and the arrangement in this book is exactly what I wanted. Very nice.

Not for any level of beginner, and more towards accomplished intermediate. Also, does not contain lyrics. Maybe it’s just me, but I like my sheet music to show the lyrics.

I loved everything about this compilation except lack of spiral spine.however, I have to change glasses to play and I found the spectacle case PERFECT for holding back the pages....still difficult to turn over pages of course........Oneoilf be willing to pay a little more for a spiral back.

Have often been slightly disappointed with big volumes - a few pieces and a lot of mediocre stuff. Not this time - packed with gems and delights - and wide range of tastes. Beautifully presented but how I wish more music was sold spiral bound, especially when it is over a 50 separate pages. However, this volume gives you plenty of melodious and enjoyable "bang for your bucks".

Brilliant variety of tunes and well scored.

I'm very happy with this book, my skill level is a solid grade 7 royal conservatory with some grade 8 and I found the majority of this book to be easily playable without too much practice, but complex enough to be interesting! There are some harder pieces, some on the easier side, and lots of different styles of music.

Honestly, it's alright the songs were simplified compared to their originals, and quite fun to play around with. However, I personally thought that much of the contemporary/modern music was outdated.