I know we probably have a thread about this every year, but which are your favourites and do you 'progress them' as the student gets more advanced.

I usually use Piano Time carols, for beginners up to grade 1 and then hope that they will grow out of them and we won't need to do them again (Bah Humbug) but this year I have a few wanted to do carols that could do with something a little more advance (not too much) maybe grade 1 - 2ish, and was hoping for some recommendations.

I find it can be quite tricky to buy a book which fits any one particular level - especially as those who are keen to play carols are often not much more than beginners.

I often download the carol arrangements from

http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/freebies.html

these have proved popular and moderately successful in the past. Of course a book is nicer - and the only way really if you want to give something as a present. But for general 'oh let's play a carol or two' the downloads are not bad.

If memory serves me correctly people here have said in the past that the Bastien books are old fashioned, but I still use them a lot! The levels on them aren't grade levels. The Martha Mier book has some nice arrangements too - a little bit different, and with scope for expressive playing. Somebody has mine at the minute, so I can't be more precise about the title now!

Have you got that big red book - "The Best Christmas Songbook Ever"? It has a wide range of carols and other Christmas music, and some things in it are suitable for about Grade 2. Try virtualsheetmusic.com as well.

Definitely not! Most of mine try to get their bid in as early as possibly to get to play their first choice at the concert. There's always the odd Grade 7 or 8 that can't find anything difficult enough to show his/her prowess but when I don't offer to let them play an exam piece instead they usually find something rather than not take part. Or maybe it's just the supper they're after...

I agree - the download ones fit the bill very well (and there are a couple of other very similar sites).

If not, Hal Leonard's ones are graded, nicely arranged and not just carols (level 3 also has Rockin' around the Christmas tree and My Favourite Things if I remember rightly). Bastien proves popular too - yes, a bit old-fashioned in terms of arrangement but then, they're carols !

Have several books of 'jazzy' carols - no one likes them.

But downloads are great - cheap, cheerful, no trouble finding a pupil's particular favourite - I give them out one a week as sight-reading/prepare yourself practise too.

The main problem I find is that they want to play Christmas carols but when you start they don't actually know any. This can seriously limit how many they get through as it you then need to find ones they like.

On the above download site: what do the levels equate to grade wise? e.g. would level 1 be grade 1 and level 2 be grade 2?????

I have a few Christmas books but not entirely sure of complete details at present. Think Complete Piano Player Christmas is one. "A Feast of Christmas Carols" is one and the other is a white book maybe it's easy to play Chritmas or Joy of Christmas?? Has more than carols in it e.g. "Let there be Peace on earth" " I Believe in Father Chrismas" "Mary's boy child" etc as well as a few carols. A variety of standards here too.

Thanks for the info!