Featuring the Arrangements of Jerry Nelson
- Our most unique feature – “Multi-Challenge-Level” arrangements from 1 to 5 versions of each piece, at escalating challenge levels.
You buy only one version – the rest are FREE! - Our most practical feature – The ability to preview each selection in its entirety. Not just the first 30 seconds.
- Our most desirable feature – Arrangements which are created in the old-school tradition of fine craftsmanship – slowly, with inspiration and ultimately perfect in every detail. Every creation benefits from the experience of 6,000 previous arrangements by Jerry Nelson in virtually every imaginable style.
The Progressive Challenge System (PCS)
Piano series available on the market today have their strengths. But PCS is not a “series.” It is, in fact a “system.” It enhances and builds on any piano series. It assumes a student knows basic theory such as note values, pitch names, basic scales and also some knowledge of basic piano techniques.
What does PCS offer that piano series do not provide?
- Multiple Challenge Levels – Each arrangement gives you from 2 to 5 different versions of each title at increasing difficulty levels. You purchase one version. The rest are FREE. The system is a huge catalyst for accelerating a student’s learning curve. Arrangements often include a “Discovery Zone” with composer biographies, performing suggestions, historical notes and music theory relevant to the featured selection.
- Accompaniment Tracks – Some series offer a few accompaniment tracks. A major focus of PCS is learning to play along with orchestra or rhythm sections.
It’s the best way to overcome the challenge of playing in accurate tempo. Most PCS titles offer a compatible Accompaniment Track. - Video Resources – PCS has the huge benefit of a dedicated YouTube channel, where players can view the arranger as he performs his own arrangements. The channel also offers a constantly growing list of Tutorials in a wide variety of topics such as Improvisation – how to lessons in playing varied styles – Chord Progressions – Keyboard techniques – Home recording – Auto-page turners – Garage Band – Software and Hardware for recording and writing music.
- Website – On this website, performers, teachers, and students can hear full length performances of each selection. This website is also the source for ordering product. And here, performers actually have a voice in deciding what new titles will be most likely released.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOLO PIANO
- Each Arrangement comes with 2 to 5 different challenge levels.
(Ex.: “The Swan” is arranged for challenge, or ‘ability’ levels 2, 3, 4, 4+, 5+). - How can I know what ‘Level 4’ means? Click here to view a detailed description of each challenge level.
- How can I know what Levels come with, ‘Amazing Grace’.
Click here to view the Piano SOLO list. Read the Descriptions. - What are Standalones? This refers to arrangements which don’t require use of an Accompaniment Track. “Accompaniment Track” would indicate availability of an Accompaniment Track compatible with the arrangement. In cases where a piece may work either with Track or as Standalone, consult the Description with each title.
- Can I hear a demonstration of each title? Definitely – in its entirety, not just 30 seconds. Note: Each arrangement is demonstrated using the highest level version. If it sounds too difficult, be assured all other levels will be less challenging.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2 PIANOS or 4 HANDS
- Some titles (not all) are available for both 2 Pianos and 4 Hands. Consult the Multiple Pianos list to determine availability.
- Do ‘2 Piano’ and ‘4 Hands’ arrangements exist at multiple levels? Typically not. However, when two levels are indicated (Ex., L4 and L6), it accommodates two students (or a teacher/student combination) to make good use of the piece even if one player is more advanced than the other.
- Are there Accompaniment Tracks to go with multi-piano arrangements? Yes. If a Solo arrangement of the exact same title, has an available accompaniment track, that track will work perfectly with 4-hands or 2 pianos arrangements.
- If I perform only without a sound track, is there any value in purchasing one? Definitely. The biggest challenge to young (or older) pianists is playing a steady tempo. If an opportunity arises to play with a band or a Praise Team at church, you want to be ready for the challenge. Besides the fun of playing with a track, it will quickly let you know if you are prepared to pass the audition.
- Is each Level a separate arrangement? Typically, yes. But often 4 and 5, for example, are intentionally combined. A player may be ready to move ahead on the first chorus, but find the CODA still out of reach. Combining two levels, allows a person to stair step, little-by-little, to the next level. Visually, this is done with cue (small) notes or by adding a third staff at for a few bars at the higher level.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO TEACHERS
If you question the value of Multi-Challenge Level (MCL) arrangements, there are a couple of great benefits besides saving money:
- It reduces the risk of ordering an unfamiliar arrangement, only to discover it’s too easy for your student. With MCL arrangements, you simply reach in the file and pull out a higher challenge level.
- The Motivation Factor – Teacher and parents will soon see their student improving by leaps and bounds. How is this possible? It will be perfectly natural for students to want to graduate to the next … and the next … and the next level. They need to be motivated. This multi-level approach accomplishes just that. Don’t be too surprised when you see it happen.
ARRANGEMENTS Brass, Woodwind, Strings
Pianists have a built-in accompanist. Typically their left hand. Brass, WW, String instruments seem to beg for accompaniment. Our Accompaniment Tracks solve that problem. It’s just more fun practicing with a some accompaniment.
This system is similar to the Multi-Challenge Levels for Piano; however, we’ve developed a “Dual-Staff” system where the bottom staff is the “Basic” melody while the upper, “Advanced” staff contains all the embellishments, octaves, scales, trills, fills and thrills for more advanced players.
- Are there Accompaniment Tracks to support these arrangements? Indeed. You have two options: 1) You will likely want the Accompaniment Track (purchased separately) which is very handy when your accompanist isn’t available. 2) You have the option of purchasing a written Piano accompaniment. If you won’t likely perform with the track, you may choose to make rehearsing more fun by using the track. Then use the written accompaniment for your performance.
- What if much of the “Advanced” staff is much too challenging? What would I do? The arrangement is designed to move gracefully from one level to the other without so much as a hiccup. This allows you to switch at logical breath points. Only play the phrases you think you can handle.
- Click here to see how naturally you can transition up, down and back up.
- How challenging might the Advanced level become?
Click here to view a description of the challenge levels. - Can I hear a demonstration recording? Yes. Within any arrangement or track product description, you’ll be able to play the demo for that product.
- Will the Demo recording feature my instrument? Because of the impracticality of recording demos for every major instrument, we have adopted a “Tag Team” approach where the demo may move between 2 or 3 instruments and sometimes one instrument start to finish.
- Can I use the Accompaniment Track to accompany another instrument or Piano solo? Yes and No. It is not like to work to accompany a piano solo because Accompaniment Tracks typically include an accompaniment piano which would most likely collide with the live piano.
Challenge Levels for Pianists
Challenge Levels – There are 12 levels of difficulty: 1, 1+, 2, 2+ … thru 6+. A 3+ challenge level would lie in between 3 and 4. Every piano solo purchased includes from 2 to 5 different challenge levels.
Multi-Performer Levels (2-piano & 4-hands) – Typically only one arrangement is created for each piece. Challenge levels (for example, 4 & 5) refer to the challenge level of the lower and upper parts (4-hands) Note: 4-Hands and 2-Piano players do not use the same arrangement. 2-Piano arrangements are created so that the melody alternates between the two pianists. This is true, even if the arrangement includes two different challenge levels.
Level 1 (Easy) presumes a pianist already has a basic knowledge of the “Rudiments” of music: Note values, Basic Scales and Names of notes (Eb, F, etc.).
Level 1, Easy – Typically single note melody, narrow range near center of keyboard, simple rhythms, small intervals, minimal finger crossing and hand position changes, a notch above “beginner.”
Level 2, Moderately Easy – Two hands, simple rhythms, slightly wider range with more hand position changes, easy finger crossing, easy keys, 1 and 2-note textures per hand.
Level 3, Moderate – More keys, rhythmic variety but natural rhythms, more finger crossing than L2 but comfortable; frequent changes in hand position and octaves, occasional easy scales and arpeggios, moderately challenging sight-reading but not technically demanding, 2 and 3-note textures per hand
Level 4, Intermediate – Wider range of keys, key changes, syncopations but still natural rhythms, more stylistic variety. Compared with Level 3, Level 4 has some 4-note textures per hand, faster scales and arpeggios, more 16th note patterns, wider hand position changes. Manageable by most church pianists.
Level 5, Fairly Difficult – Wider range, increased hand motion, full range of keys, thicker textures (4 and occasional 5-notes per hand), faster tempi scales and arpeggios, tricky rhythms, advanced chords, more challenging sight-reading, more accidentals, fairly challenging technically
Level 6, Advanced – Full keyboard range, wide range of styles, some very challenging rhythms, rapid scales and arpeggios, some very thick textures in both hands, generous accidentals, wider dynamic range with subtle nuances, very demanding technically and stylistically.
Demonstration Recordings – The Demonstration recording uses the most advanced level available. You are assured that all other levels call for lower challenge levels.
Accompaniment Tracks – If a piece using an Accompaniment Track is designated Levels 2 thru 5, the same Accompaniment track will serve for all Challenge Levels.
Challenge Levels for Solo Orchestral Instruments (Brass, Woodwind, Strings)
Dual Staff System – String, Brass and Woodwind players make use of the Dual Staff System which includes a “Basic” (easier) staff and an “Advanced” (more challenging) staff.
“Deep River,” for example, is designated Levels 2-5. The Basic Staff would cover Level 2 from start to finish. The Advanced Staff would cover from Levels 3 to 5. Any player could move, at any breath point, from Lower to Upper to Lower staff. This design encourages a player to continually s-t-r-e-t-c-h as his or her challenge level increases.
Click on any title in the Website listing, to learn what Challenge Levels are covered by that specific Arrangement.
Demonstration Recording – The “Demo” typically covers the Upper, more advanced level. It may be performed by a single instrument or using the “Tag Team” approach, bouncing between two or more instruments.
LEVEL
1 = Very easy – First year player; basic melody
2 = Easy – Melody plus limited embellishment within narrow range
3 = Moderate – more notes, still fairly easy rhythms
4 = Intermediate – more complex rhythms, wider range, more embellishment
5 = Advanced – Quite challenging, more demanding technically and expressively
6 = Very Advanced – Most challenging, more rapid flourishes, more subtle dynamics, technically and stylistically very demanding