Best Jon Schmidt Piano Books for Every Skill Level
Jon Schmidt piano books offer accessible sheet music from The Piano Guys’ signature repertoire and related sacred and cinematic pieces. This guide highlights five relevant titles, suitable for beginners through advanced players, helping you choose based on difficulty, style, and intent. The top picks cater to different uses—from practice and worship to film-score favorites—so whether you’re learning for personal enjoyment or performance, there’s a clear best-fit option.
| Product | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Schmidt: New Age Classical Piano Solos Vol 1 | All skill levels | Waterfall and Tribute arrangements |
| Paul Cardall – 40 Hymns for Forty Days | Praise and worship | Classic and contemporary hymns |
| The John Williams Piano Anthology | Movie themes | Iconic themes for piano solo |
| The Piano Guys: Solo Piano with Optional Cello | Chamber or recital pieces | Optional cello accompaniment |
| Additional picks | Specialty interests | Targeted styles |
Jon Schmidt: New Age Classical Piano Solos Vol 1
This collection presents Waterfall, Cherished Moments, and Song of the Ocean in a piano solo format. It is best for players who want approachable arrangements that still capture The Piano Guys’ signature mood. The book supports a wide range of abilities, from beginners to advanced pianists, with clear notation and musical phrasing that helps develop technique and expression.
Who it’s best for: aspiring pianists seeking melodic, cinematic pieces that are presentable in intimate recitals or practice sessions. Why selected: it showcases accessible, memorable tunes that align with Jon Schmidt’s style and are widely recognizable to fans.
Caution: early editions may vary in layout; check the latest printing for page alignment and measure numbering to avoid confusion during practice.
Paul Cardall – 40 Hymns for Forty Days
This hymn-focused collection offers sacred piano solos suitable for worship and reflection. It is best for intermediate players who want a structured set of hymns arranged for solo performance. The book emphasizes keyboard-friendly arrangements and worship-friendly repertoire, making it a solid choice for church musicians or personal devotional use.
Who it’s best for: worship leaders, church pianists, and those seeking classic and contemporary hymns. Why selected: it provides a cohesive set of pieces designed for devotional settings, with clear, playable arrangements.
Caution: primarily hymn-based material; players seeking modern pop or cinematic styles may want additional repertoire for variety.
The John Williams Piano Anthology
This anthology compiles 40+ iconic movie themes arranged for piano solo. It’s best for intermediate to advanced players who want recognizable film music that can be showcased in recital or performance contexts. The pages number around 184, providing substantial repertoire for longer sets or study of cinematic scoring techniques.
Who it’s best for: fans of film music and performers seeking a challenging, recognizable program. Why selected: it offers a broad range of well-known themes with careful arrangement to suit intermediate and advanced pianists.
Caution: some pieces may require advanced technique and musical stamina; beginners may find certain arrangements demanding.
The Piano Guys: Solo Piano with Optional Cello
This edition focuses on solo piano works with the option to add cello for a fuller performance. It is best for performers who want flexibility between solo recital pieces and small ensemble arrangements. The included pages number 104, offering a compact but diverse repertoire.
Who it’s best for: pianists exploring compact recital programs with optional cello accompaniment. Why selected: it provides adaptable pieces that can be performed solo or with a cello, expanding performance possibilities.
Caution: the optional cello part may require coordination with a cellist or suitable backing track for performance settings.
Buying Guide
What type of pieces are you seeking?
Identify whether you want cinematic solos, hymns for worship, contemporary pop-adjacent arrangements, or movie-themed concert pieces. This helps narrow to those titles that match your preferred repertoire and performance context.
What is your skill level?
Some books target beginners with simple melodies, while others push toward intermediate or advanced technique. Start with collections labeled for your current level, but consider a step-up option for growth.
Format and readability
Look for clear notation, adequate page layout, and consistent measure numbering. Books with larger note heads or clear rhythms reduce practice friction and speed up learning.
Performance goals
Decide whether you’re practicing for personal enjoyment, worship, or recital. Some titles emphasize devotional music, others focus on film scores or cinematic mood. The goal informs which book fits best.
Flexibility and accompaniment
Consider whether you want solo pieces only or pieces with an optional cello or ensemble accompaniment. Flexibility can affect how you program a recital or practice session.
Practical considerations
- Edition availability and pagination
- Instrumentation notes (if any) and whether they suit your setup
- Printing quality and layout for ease of reading during practice
FAQ
- Q: Which Jon Schmidt book is best for beginners? A: The New Age Classical Piano Solos Vol 1 is suitable for a wide range of levels, including beginners, with approachable melodies.
- Q: Are these books suitable for church worship? A: Yes, Hymns for Forty Days is specifically designed for worship, while others provide cinematic or popular selections for varied settings.
- Q: Do these books require a cello for optimal performance? A: The Piano Guys book offers an optional cello part, but you can perform the pieces solo if no cello is available.
- Q: Are the selections primarily movie themes? A: The John Williams Piano Anthology focuses on movie themes, suitable for fans of film scores and recital programs.
- Q: Is there a recommended progression order among these books? A: Start with a beginner-friendly collection, then move to more technically demanding anthologies as you progress.
- Q: Do these books include access to audio or digital resources? A: Availability of audio or digital resources varies by title; check the product page for any supplementary materials.