Top 10 best Christmas piano books for intermediate players


12 December 2023
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By Ellie Palmer
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From classical Christmas carols to jazzified festive classics, there's something for everybody here

1. Play Christmas

by Pianist

Of course, we have to start with our very own Play Christmas

Our new festive-themed piano book 46 pages of yuletide scores ranging from beginner to advanced, with step-by-step lessons on three of the pieces from our expert teachers - all delivered right to your door.

Beginner pieces include simple arrangements of The Holly and the Ivy and Silent Night, and range all the way up to more advanced pieces like December from The Seasons Op 37a.

This is also the most affordable book on the list!

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2. Peaceful Christmas

by Piano Hive

Our friends at Piano Hive published this book back in 2021, and it's been a real hit with our readers since.

The book takes Christmas classics such as We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Oh Holy Night, and completely rearranges them into something a little different.

This book is more suited to the early intermediate player.

 

3. After Hours Christmas

by Pam Wedgwood

After Hours Christmas contains styles to suit any mood: Away In A Manger as a laid-back jazz waltz, The Angel Gabriel and In Dulci Jubilo as wistful ballads, and even a bossa nova version of Ding! Dong! Merrily On High.

The collection also contains a mix of piano solos and duets for you to enjoy on your own or with friends and family, arranged for the grade 3-5 pianist. 

 

 

4. 16 Easy Christmas Songs for Solo Piano

by Scott Currier

Scott Currier has created easier arrangements of some tricky Christmas classics. Amazingly, each piece includes THREE versions of the song: A lead version, a beginner version, and an intermediate version. The book also contains performance notes offering tips and advice.

 

 

5. The John Rutter Christmas Piano Album

by John Rutter

Designed for pianists at early intermediate level, this collection provides skilful and approachable arrangements of festive favourites such as Angels' Carol and What sweeter music and of the more recent Colours of Christmas and Christ our Emmanuel. The gentle Mary's Lullaby, meanwhile, features a newly written Epilogue, a homage to George Shearing and evoking the style of this celebrated jazz pianist. 

 

 

6. The Complete Piano Player Christmas

by Wise

You can't go wrong with this classical Christmas piano book, first published back in 1985!

There are 48 pages of music here, ideal for both early intermediate and late intermediate players. Pieces include Away In A Manger, Merry Christmas Everybody, We Three Kings and plenty more.

 

 

 

7. Christmas Jazz, Rags and Blues: Book 3

by Martha Mier

This jazzy Christmas book looks to be a lot of fun. Be inspired and motivated by the syncopated rhythms and the colourful, rich harmonies of jazz.

There is plenty of detailed articulation, dynamic and pedal markings throughout to help you with your performance. 

 

8. Carol Jazz for Piano

by Christopher Norton

Another entertaining-looking book! This German publication contains five improvised Christmas Carols. Ideal background music for any Christmas gathering.

 

 

9. Silent Nights

by Nigel Hess & Classic FM

Nigel Hess has beautifully re-arranged 14 carols, offering a different perspective on Christmas tunes with which everyone will be familiar.

Ideal for both intermediate and advanced players.

 

10. Jazz on a Winter's Night Part 1 & Part 2

by Nikki Iles

These books certainly deliver. Jazz on a Winter's Night Christmas piano album of stylish, swinging arrangements. Favourite Christmas carols and songs receive the complete jazz treatment, with rhythm, harmony, grooves, and solos all carefully notated.

The expertise of the arranger, a celebrated jazz pianist and composer, guarantees an authentic jazz sound, and a range of styles from Nat King Cole to John Coltrane. While paying homage to American Christmas jazz, the collections also reflects a European tradition, in such time-honoured classics as 'In the bleak mid-winter'.

Part 2 contains more of the same, from swing and stride to boogaloo and calypso.

 

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