Most teens hear the words “scale study” and think, Here we go… boring alert. But what if a scale study could be the part of your lesson that makes them lean in instead of zone out?
Today’s freebie is a one-page song sampler taken from WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies for Piano 1. In its original form, it’s a two-page pop-infused scale study that sneaks technical skills into music your students can’t stop playing.
We’ve trimmed it down for today’s download, but even in its shortened form, it’s proof that scales can be every bit as cool, catchy, and confidence-boosting as the music in your students’ playlists.
Print it, try it this week, and then imagine the impact when every key signature in your lessons comes wrapped in music like this.
Let’s First Dig Into WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies
Today’s scale study song sampler is available at the bottom of the post but first…
If your teens are skipping scales, zoning out during rhythm drills, or dragging their feet through sight-reading, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there—staring at the clock while they slog through exercises they can’t wait to finish.
That’s why we created WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies for Piano—a pop-infused lesson companion that takes all of those “must-have” skills (scales, chords, triads, and left-hand patterns) and packages them in music your teens want to play.
Instead of drill-and-groan, they get groove-and-grow.
We’ve always believed that when students feel connected to their music, they work harder, play longer, and learn faster. That’s why WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies for Piano doesn’t just check the boxes for scales and chords—it transforms them into music they’re proud to play.
Let’s Take A Closer Look At Each Level
WunderKeys Teen Method Books, Intermediate Level 1
This level includes:
WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 1 (available to purchase here)
An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 1 (available to purchase here)
What Students Learn:
Keys: C, G, and F Major and A, E, and D minor
Scales: Two-octave major and harmonic minor scales in parallel and contrary motion, hands separate and hands together
Triads: Two-octave triads in solid and broken form, hands separate and hands together
Primary Chords: Played in root position
Note Reading: All grand staff plus ledger lines, including high A, B, C, middle G, A, B (treble) and D, E, F, G (bass), low C, D, E
Rhythm: Eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes and their rest value equivalents
Time Signatures: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8
Consideration For Small Hands: No harmonic octaves
Accompaniment Patterns: Broken fifths (eighth notes), polka pattern (within a pentascale), waltz pattern (within a pentascale), broken chords (within a pentascale), Alberti Bass, broken chords (within an octave)
A Transfer Guide:
Students are ready for WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 1 and An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 1 after completing WunderKeys Elementary Piano Level 2, Piano Adventures 2B, Alfred Premier 2B, Bastien Book 2, RCM Prep B, or ABRSM Grade 1.
WunderKeys Teen Method Books, Intermediate Level 2
This level includes:
WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 2 (available to purchase here)
An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 2 (available to purchase here)
What Students Learn:
Keys: D, Bb, and E Major and Bb, G, and F# minor
Scales: Two-octave major and harmonic minor scales in parallel and contrary motion, hands separate and hands together
Triads: Two-octave triads in solid and broken form, hands separate and hands together
Primary Chords: Played in root position
Note Reading: All notes from low C to high D
Rhythm: Limited sixteenth notes in 4/4 time, eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes and their rest value equivalents, syncopated rhythms, triplets
Time Signatures: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8
Consideration For Small Hands: No harmonic octaves
Accompaniment Patterns: Expanded broken chords (within a pentascale), expanded broken chords (within an octave), broken fifths in syncopated pattern, waltz pattern (within an octave), arpeggio pattern with crossovers, Alberti Bass
A Transfer Guide:
Students are ready for WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 2 and An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 2 after completing WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 1, Piano Adventures 3A, Alfred Premier Book 3, Bastien Book 3, RCM Grade 1, or ABRSM Grade 2.
WunderKeys Teen Method Books, Intermediate Level 3
This level includes:
WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 3 (available to purchase here)
An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 3 (available to purchase here)
What Students Learn:
Keys: Eb, E, and Ab Major and C, C#, and F Minor
Scales: Two-octave major and harmonic minor scales in parallel and contrary motion, hands separate and hands together
Triads: Two-octave triads in solid and broken form, hands separate and hands together
Primary Chords: Played in root position
Note Reading: All notes from low A to high D
Rhythm: Sixteenth notes in 3/4, 4/4, and 6/8 time, eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes, dotted eighth notes, half notes, whole notes, rests, syncopated rhythms, triplets
Time Signatures: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, (12/8 in the Performance Companion book only)
Consideration For Small Hands: Harmonic octaves are now included.
Accompaniment Patterns: Octave leaps, a hand-over-hand pattern, expanded broken chords (within an octave), syncopated polka pattern, arpeggio pattern with expanded crossovers, Alberti Bass
A Transfer Guide:
Students are ready for WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 3 and An Intermediate Performance Companion For Pop Studies 3 after completing WunderKeys Intermediate Pop Studies For Piano 2, Piano Adventures 3B, Alfred Premier Book 3, Bastien Book 3, RCM Grade 2, or ABRSM Grade 3.
Download Dreamer: A Scale Study Song Sampler
Click here or on the image below to download Dreamer: A Scale Study Song Sampler.
