First Edition Printed by

WARNING: The music, text, design, and graphics in this publication are protected by copyright law.
Any duplication in any form for any purpose is an infringement of U.S. copyright law.
by Jerald M. Simon
from the
Music Motivation

Series
TM
visit musicmotivation.com
Music Motivation

books are designed to provide students with music instruction that will enable them to improve
and increase their successes in the field of music. It is also intended to enhance appreciation and understanding of
various styles of music from classical to jazz, blues, rock, popular, new age, hymns, and more. The author and
publisher disclaim any liability or accountability for the misuse of this material as it was intended by the author.
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated in any form by any
mechanical, electronic or other means known or hereafter invented without written permission from the author, Jerald M. Simon. For more promotional excerpt permission, contact
Music Motivation

, P.O. Box 1000 Kaysville, UT 84037-1000 - info@musicmotivation.com

First Printing 2010 - Printed in the United States of America - 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 - Simon, Jerald M. - Music Motivation

- Cool Songs for Cool Kids (volume I) - $10.95 US

/ $12.95 Canada - Softcover spiral bound book - ISBN-13: 978-0-9790716-9-0; ISBN-10: 0-9790716-9-0; MM00001010
For early intermediate students
Cool Songs
21 original piano solos
for
Cool Kids
(volume I)
BOOK ONE
From the
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
TM
Series
TM
I hope you enjoy Cool Songs for Cool Kids
TM
(volume I).
You may also enjoy the other books from the series: Cool
Songs for Cool Kids
TM
primer level, and volumes 1, 2, and 3.
Each of the books contain cool piano pieces written for
kids of all ages (whether they are 8 or 108). The music is
Adored by students and approved by teachers
TM
. The
pieces in each volume teach skills (music theory,
technique, transposing, improvising, composing, etc.)
through fun and upbeat piano selections composed by
Music Mentor
TM
Jerald M. Simon.
2
Jerald M. Simon
JMS
Music Motivation

It is the hope of the author and publisher that each of these piano solos from the Cool Songs for Cool
Kids
TM
Series will be fun, upbeat, and enjoyable to the music teachers, music students, performers and listeners. In
addition to having fun, students will learn the theory used to create each of the songs.
Once you have learned the lessons and mastered the pieces, try using the chords, scales, chord progressions,
and left hand patterns from the lessons to create music of your own. Share your music with others!
Music that excites, entertains, and educates!
TM
- Let music motivate you!
TM
visit musicmotivation.com
Dedicated to my wife, Suzanne (Zanny), and my
little girl, Summer (who happens to be one very
cool kid!), my father and mother Jerry and
Denise Simon, my in-laws Brent and Wendy
Cederlof and anyone who wants to play cool
songs.
Welcome to Cool Songs for Cool Kids
TM
(Volume I)
Introduction...............................................................3
Five, Four, Three, Two, One...BLAST OFF!..................8
Playground Pro...............................................................9
Five for Five.................................................................10
Deep Sea Diving...........................................................12
Beat-cha to it.................................................................14
Checkmate....................................................................15
Game Over...................................................................16
Locker Jam...................................................................17
Rock n Rag..................................................................18
Rocket Man..................................................................19
Junckyard Jive..............................................................20
Lefty.............................................................................21
Championship Game....................................................22
On Your Mark...Get Set................................................23
Spy Games...................................................................24
Proximity......................................................................25
Battle Front...................................................................26
Homework Hang-over..................................................28
Thunderstorm...............................................................30
Bittersweet...................................................................32
New Age-ish.................................................................34
Music Motivation

Products...........................................36
Table of Contents
Music Motivation

is a registered trademark
Jerald M. Simon
facebook.com/jeraldsimon
twitter.com/jeraldsimon
cdbaby.com/artist/jeraldsimon
youtube.com/jeraldsimon
reverbnation.com/jeraldsimon
jeraldsimon@musicmotivation.com
Connect with Jerald M. Simon
Music Motivation
P.O. Box 1000
Kaysville, UT 84037-1000
musicmotivation.com
musicmotivationblog.com
facebook.com/musicmotivation
twitter.com/musicmotivation
info@musicmotivation.com
MM00001010
3
Introduction
Q Q
Welcome to Cool Songs for Cool Kids
TM
. This book is designed for the late beginning and early
intermediate to intermediate piano students. There are 10 original piano solos written by Jerald M. Simon.
These first five pages (pages 3 - 7) teach the theory used to compose these songs. Music theory simply
means understanding chords, scales, progressions, key signatures and patterns. Many musicians have learned
music theory, but have never learned how to apply it, or even describe what theyre doing and how theyre
doing it. Id love to teach you what to do with that knowledge and how to use it in your own piano playing.
Lets get started! To begin, lets start with a rhythm overview/review.
2 3 4 1

.
2 4 1 3
.
. . . .
1 3 2 4
1 3 2 4 & & & &
, , , , , , , ,
Whole Note
Half Note
Quarter Note
Eighth Note
Sixthteenth Note
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1 2 & & e e a a 3 4 & & e e a a
Play this example below as a rhythm review.
_
_

, , , ,
, , , ,
, , , , , , , ,
, , , , , , , ,
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2 3 4 1 2 4 1 3 1 3 2 4 1 2 & & 3 4 & & 1 2 & & e e a a 3 4 & & e e a a
Download and print off the Knee Slappers Rhythm Exercise # 1 from the Music Motivation

Blog with this link at:

http://musicmotivation.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/knee-slappers-rhythm-exercise-11.pdf.
Whole Rest
Half Rest
Quarter Rest
Eighth Rest
Sixthteenth Rest
-
.

_
,
2 3 4 1
2 1
1
&
a
Introduction
Q Q
Most of the pieces in this book were written using the major pentascales, the minor pentascales, and the
melodic and harmonic intervals from each of the pentascales as the foundation for the melody (one note played
at a time moving up and down) and the harmony (two or more notes played together to create a more complete,
full, and rich sound). In these next two introduction pages, we will learn the C major pentascale, and an
explanation about melodic and harmonic intervals. First, lets learn about the C Major Pentascale.

To begin, play the C major pentascale below - first with the right hand, then with the left hand, and
finally both hands together. The word penta means five. This is a five note scale. The notes in the example
below are: C, D, E, F, and G. When you play C, D, E, F, and G, one after another, you are playing the first five
notes from the C major scale.
Now that you have played the C Major Pentascale, lets talk about intervals. The word interval
simply describes the distance between two notes. For example, C, played alone, is called a first; C and D
played together is called a second, C and E played together is called a third, C and F played together is called
a fourth, and C and G played together is called a fifth (which tells us the distance between the notes).
MM00001010
C Major Pentascale (the first five notes from the C Major Scale - C, D, E, F, and G)

1 1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
4
1
3
1
2
1
5 5
4
5
3
5
2
5
1
5
2
5
3
5
4
5
2 3 4 1 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4
With my own students, I challenge them to learn ALL of the major pentascales in every key moving up
chromatically in half steps and following the circle of fifths through every key signature. Before I have them
learn how to play all of the major and minor scales up and down one octave I make sure they can play all of
the major, minor, and diminished pentascales in every key. To help them learn each of the pentascales, I
created FREE download-able PDFs. On the Music Motivation

website, there are FREE resources for music

teachers and music students where I share all of these FREE PDFs with the world Visit
www.musicmotivation.com to see all of the FREE PDF downloads (under the resources section on the left side
of the website). To print off the All Major Pentascales FREE download-able PDF file, visit this link:
http://musicmotivation.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/all-major-pentascales.pdf. Throughout this book, you
will see a FREE Music Motivation

Resource link at the bottom of various pages. Try them out!

1
3
5
5
3
1
1
3
5
5
3
1
3 2 1 4 5 4 3 2 1
3 4 5 2 1 2 3 4 5
2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4
C Major Chord
First Second Third Fourth Fifth
MM00001010
5
Introduction
Q Q
Now that you know a little about intervals. Lets practice playing melodic and harmonic fifth intervals.
A melodic fifth interval simply means one note played after the other (i.e. C then G). An harmonic fifth
interval simply means two notes played together at the same time (i.e. C and G played together at the same
time). Lets try it!
A perfect interval can become a diminished interval by playing the flat (i.e. C and G is a diminished
5
th
interval - as a reminder, when a note has a flat it is taken down half a step to the left of the orginal note - white key to black key, or white
key to white key) and an augmented interval by playing the sharp (i.e. C and G is an augmented 5
th
interval - as a
reminder, when a note has a sharp it is taken up half a step to the right of the orginal note - white key to black key, or white key to white key). A
major interval can become a diminished interval by playing the double flat (C and B is a diminished 7
th

interval). It also can become a minor interval by playing the flat (i.e. C and B is a minor 7
th
interval), and an
augmented interval by playing the sharp (i.e. C and B is an augmented 7
th
interval).
I encourage my students to try and play exactly the same exercise you played above in all keys (moving
up chromatically in half steps). To print off the All Major Intervals - Harmonic and Melodic FREE
downloadable PDF file, visit this link: http://musicmotivation.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/all-major-
intervals-harmonic-and-melodic.pdf. Try it out!

Intervals can have different names. Some intervals are called perfect, major, minor, augmented, and diminished intervals.
For now, well only focus on the perfect (P) and major (M) intervals.
Harmonic Fifth Intervals (two notes played together at the same time) - try moving up in half steps and play this example in all keys

Harmonic 5th
1
5
5
1
1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4
Melodic Fifth Intervals (one note played after the other) - try moving up in half steps and play this example in all keys

Melodic 5th
5 1
1 5
1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3

Perfect 1
st
(or unison)
Major 2
nd
Major 3
rd
Major 6
th
Major 7
th
Perfect 4
th
Perfect 5
th
Perfect 8
th
(or octave)
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
5
1
5
1
5
1
P P P P M M M M
Introduction
Q Q
MM00001010
Introduction
Q Q
With a good understanding of major and minor intervals, you can begin creating the basic triad chord
(or three note chord). The three most common triad chords are the major chord, the minor chord, and the
diminished chord. There are, of course, augmented chords, suspend the fourth chords, and suspend the second
chords, but for now, we will only cover the major, minor, and diminished chords.
All major chords are created by combining the perfect 1
st
and 5
th
intervals (i.e C and G) with the major
3
rd
interval (i.e. E). With all three combined, the major triad chord is created (i.e. C, E, and G played together
create the C major chord). All minor chords are created by combining the perfect 1
st
and 5
th
intervals (i.e. C
and G) with the minor 3
rd
interval (i.e. E ). With all three combined, the minor triad chord is created (i.e. C,
E , and G played together create the C minor chord). All diminished chords are created by combining the
perfect 1
st
interval (i.e. C) the diminished 5
th
interval (i.e. G ) and the minor 3
rd
interval (i.e. E ). With all three
combined, the diminished triad chord is created (i.e. C, E , and G played together create the C diminished
chord).
Play the triads created from the C major scale below (each of the triads begin on one of the notes from
the C major scale - moving up one octave - C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and ending with C).

I ii iii IV V vi I
Major minor minor Major Major minor Major
1
3
5
5
3
1
vii
diminished
o

C Dm

Em F

G Am

Bdim C

Same fingering of 5, 3, 1 (left hand) and 1, 3, 5 (right hand) on all chords
Primary chords for A minor

n 7 mi mi A n Dmi /A E/A

E /A

A n
1
3
5
1
4
5
1
2
5
1
3
5
1
3
5
(root position)
(2
nd
inversion) (1
st
inversion) (1
st
inversion)
(root position)
Primary chords for C Major

1
3
5
1
3
5
1
4
5
1
2
5
1
3
5
7 C F/C G/B G /B C (root position)
(root position)
(2
nd
inversion) (1
st
inversion) (1
st
inversion)
(root position)
The chord progression of Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, diminished, Major is the same in
every key signature. Above the grand staff you will find the name of the chord(s). In the middle of the grand
staff you will find the corresponding roman numeral. If the Roman numeral is upper case (i.e. I) it means the
chord is major, and if the Roman numeral is lower case (i.e. i) it means the chord is minor. If the Roman
numeral is lower case with the diminished symbol after it (i.e. i ) it means the chord is diminished. Since all I,
IV, and V chords are always major chords (when created from the major scale) they are called the primary chords and
used more frequently. The ii, iii, vi, and vii chords are called secondary chords because they are not major
chords (they are minor chords and one diminished chord). Play the primary chords below for C major and A minor key
signatures (visit musicmotivation.com to download FREE pdf exercises - on the home page of the website youll see an image of worksheets
and handouts that says FREE Resources and Music (click here) - click on that to begin downloading Music Motivation

exercises).
o

o
MM00001010
7
Introduction
Q Q
I hope you have a cool time with these cool songs!
Introduction
Q Q
On this page, I will talk a little bit about jazz and blues. There are several jazzy piano solos in this book
and it helps to understand a little about the jazz style.
To begin, I will explain about a jazz term called swinging the 8
ths
. In traditional or classical music,
the music is played straight - meaning that the music is played as it is written and the rhythms remain the same.
In jazz music, to simplify rhythms and interesting syncopations, the music could be written out as normal, but
when it was played it had a swing effect. Here is an easy way to describe it:
_

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
long short long short long short long short
. . . .
3
=
As you play, think or even say the words: long -
short - long - short - long - short - long - short, to
help you play it.
Swing the 8
ths
or
Typically you will see one or the other. Both are telling the musician to play the eighth notes unevenly.
Try the example below to get the feel of swinging eighth notes.
_

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
When I teach the blues pentascale(s) to my students, I describe it like this: Play a C minor chord with
your right hand, but instead of using the traditional 1 - 3 - 5 fingering (1 on C, 3 on E , and 5 on G), put your
thumb on C, your second finger on E and your pinky on the G. Your fourth finger will play the note that is
half a step below your pinky (F or G ), and your third finger will play the note that is half a step below your
fourth finger (F natural). Once students can comfortably play the C and F blues pentascales, I then challenge
them to play all of the blues pentascales through every key (moving up chromatically in half steps). To print
off the All Blues Pentascales - FREE downloadable PDF file from the Music Motivation

Website, please
visit: http://musicmotivation.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/all-blues-pentascales.pdf. Try it out!
Below is an example of a Barrel House blues left hand pattern. The Barrel House blues left hand
pattern is created with a perfect fifth interval (i.e. C and G - played together) then a major sixth interval (i.e. C
and A played together). To vary the pattern, in the second measure is a perfect fifth interval (i.e. C and G
played together) followed by the major sixth interval (i.e. C and A played together) and going to the minor
seventh interval (i.e. C and B - played together).
,
,
,
_
,
The eighth notes are played unevenly. The first eighth note is held longer than the second eighth note.
They follow a pattern of long - short - long - short - long - short - long - short. Its an easier way to notate the
music - otherwise the notation would be much more complicated (but you should still learn how to count and play those more
challenging rhythms as well - youll get there). I tell students to think of, what I call, the Drunken Sailor effect.
Everything is slurred and blended together. To help you feel the swing rhythm, play the blues pentascale
below. These are the first five notes of the C blues scale (C E F F G).
,
_
5
4 3
2
1
2
3 4
1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2
_
_

,
, ,
, , _
, , ,
,
,
,
, ,
, , _
, , ,
,
,
,
, ,
, , _
, , ,
,
,
,
, ,
, , _
, , ,
,
,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
, , ,
,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
, , ,
,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
, , ,
,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
, , ,
,
C Blues Pentascale
F Blues Pentascale
swing it
5
4
3 2
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
5 4 3 2
Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit MM00001010
Five, Four, Three, Two, One...BLAST OFF!
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - melodic intervals (5
th
- 4
th
- 3
rd
- 2
nd
- 1
st
)
Music Motivation

Challenge: Once you have perfected Five, Four, Three, Two, One...BLAST OFF! in the key of C, play the
song in every key moving up chromatically in half steps.
Music Motivation

Resource: Download and print off the FREE Music Motivation

PDF resource All Major Intervals - Harmonic
and Melodic from the Music Motivation

Website with this link at: http://musicmotivation.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/all-

major-intervals-harmonic-and-melodic.pdf. For more FREE PDF downloads from the Music Motivation

Website, visit
http://www.musicmotivation.com/piano/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&Itemid=13 or simply visit
www.musicmotivation.com.
(perfect 5
th
- perfect 4
th
- major 3
rd
- major 2
nd
- perfect 1
st
)
_
_

Full of Energy (M = c 115)

,
,

,
,

C
,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,
,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,
,
,

,
,

_
_
5

Dmin7/C

_
;

,
,

,
,

C
,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,
,
,

,
,

_
_
9

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,
,
,

,
,

Dmin7/C

rit.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

1
5
1
5
4
3
2
5
2
1
Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit MM00001010
Five for Five
10
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - major pentascale and perfect 5
th
intervals
pedal simile
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
1
1 2
5
3
4
1 2 3 4
2 1
1
5
(optional octave)
(optional octave)
3 2 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4
(you may use the same finger,
but try using this fingering)
_
_

With confidence (M = c 115)

-
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
C
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
_
_
5
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
_
_
,
9
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
_
;
-
,
,
, , , , , , ,
-
,
,
, , , , , , ,
_
_
,
13
,

,
,
,
,

,
, , , , , , , ,
,
,
,
,

,
,
, , , , , , , ,
,

,
,
,
,

,
, , , , , , , ,
,

,
,
,

, , , , , , , ,
MM00001010
13
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
Deep Sea Diving - page 2
5 1
2 (right hand crosses over)
(right hand crosses over)
(You may want to use the 5
th
finger - your pinky - here! You can continue with the fingering from the first measure, but it may be tricky and both hands may run into each other. If you can do it, do it. If not
dont do it. Its that simple!)
1
5
5
1
4
1
1
5
2
_
_
17
.
,

,
, , , , , , , ,
,
,

, , , , , , , ,
,
,
,
,
, , , , , , , ,
,
,
,
,
, , , , , , , ,
_
_
,
21

, , , , , , , ,

, , , , , , , ,

, , , , , , , ,

_
, , , , , , , ,
_
_
,
;
25

Gsus4 G

Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit MM00001010
Game Over
16
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - rhythm exercise - 8
th
notes and 8
th
rests
optional octave to the end of the piece
_
_

.
.
.
.
With resolution (M = c 120)

.
,

, ,
,
,

,
Cno3
. ,

,

,
,

,
,
.
,

, ,
,
,

,
A
,
sus
. , ,

,

,
,

,
,
.
,

, ,
,
,

,
Csus/F
. ,

,

,
,
,
,
,

, , , , ,
,
,
Gsus
,

, , , , , , ,
_
_
5
.
,

, ,
,
,

,
Cno3
. ,

,

,
,

,
,
.
,

, ,
,
,

,
A
,
. , ,

,

,
,

,
,
.
,

, ,
,
,

,
Csus/F
. ,

,

,
,
,
,
,

, , , ,

,
,
,
Gsus
,

, , , ,

, , ,
_
_
;
9
.
,

, , ,
,
,
Cno3
,
,

,
,
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,
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,
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,
,
,
,
,
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,
.
,

, , ,
,
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A
,
,
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,

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,
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,
,
,
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,
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,
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,
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,
.
,

, , ,
,
,
Csus/F
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

Gsus
,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

,
,

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_
.
.
.
.
13
.
,

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,
,
Cno3
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,

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,

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Gsus
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,

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,

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,

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,

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,

,
,

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,

,
,

Cno3

pedal simile
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
5
3 1
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
4
2 1
1
5

Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit MM00001010
Junkyard Jive
20
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - minor 3
rd
and major 3
rd
intervals (a fun left hand pattern)
swing rhythm = long, short, long, short, long, short, long, short,
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
5
3 2
5 3 2
5 3 2
4
2
3
1
3
4
_
_
,
,

. . . .
3
=
Swing it! (M = c 120)

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C7 F

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-

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit MM00001010
Spy Games
24
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - perfect 5
th
and minor 6
th
intervals
pedal simile
5
1
1 & 2 3 4 & & & 1 & 2 3 4 & & &
_
_

.
.
.
.
This music will self destruct in 1.5 minutes (M = c 120)

;
.
.
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
Amin
.
.
,
,

,
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.
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F/A
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Amin
.
.
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,

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,
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Dmin/A
.
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.
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,

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.
.
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,

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.
.
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,
,
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.
.
,
,

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,
,
,
,
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Amin

_
_
10
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
F/A

,
,
,
,
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,
,
,

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,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Amin

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,
,
,
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,
,
,

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_
.
.
.
.
15
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
F/A

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

;
,

.
A
,

.
1st
2nd
Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP) - International Copyright Secured

All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit
MM00001010
Thunderstorm
30
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - C minor pentascale - perfect 5
th
, and minor 6
th
intervals
2
1
1
5
1
5
3
1 & 2 3 4 & & & 1 2 3 4
2
1
5
1 3
5
1 3
1 3
4
4
5
1
5
1
4
1
4
1
5
2
3
3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4
(You may use the 1
st
or 5
th
finger, but, you really need to try this fingering!)
_
_
,
,
,
,
,
,

Thunder strikes, when the storm comes (M = c 120)

,
,
,
,
,
,
Cmin
,
,


,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,


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_
_
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
accel.
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,

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,

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cresc.
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,
,
,

, , , , , , ,
Passed
Off
Copyright 2010 by Music Motivation

(ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All rights reserved including the right of public performance for profit MM00001010
Bittersweet
32
by Jerald M. Simon
skill - Chords in the key of C minor
pedal simile
1
1
5
3
1 & 2 3 4 & 1 & 2 3 4 & &
5
4
2 1 5 4
_
_
,
,
,
,
,
,

Sweetened by bitterness (M = c 120)

.
,

,
Cmin A
,
sus2
.
.
,
,

,
,

.
.
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
B
,
add2 Cmin
.
.
,
,
,
,
,

.
,

,
A
,
sus2
.
.
,
,

,
,

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,
,
E
,
B
,
.
,

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,
,
,
,
5
.
,

,
Cmin A
,
sus2
.
.
,
,

,
,

.
.
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
B
,
add2 Cmin
.
.
,
,
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,
,

.
,

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A
,
sus2
.
.
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,

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,
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,
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,
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10
,
,

,
,
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,

,
,
,
,
,
Cmin B
,
.
.
,
,

,
,
,

.
.
,
,

,
,

,
,
,
,

A
,
.
.
,
,

,
,

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,
,
,

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.
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,

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,

E
,
sus2/B
,
B
,
.
.
,
,

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,

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.
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,
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,
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14
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Cmin B
,
.
.
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,
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,

.
.
,
,

,
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,
,
A
,
.
.
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,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,

,
,

E
,
B
,
.
.
,
,

,
,
,

The Cool Songs for Cool Kids

TM
Series
Q Q
The Cool Songs for Cool Kids
TM
Series
TM
(primer level - for beginning students, volume 1 - for early
intermediate levels, volume 2 - for early intermediate to intermediate levels, and volume 3 - for intermediate -
late intermediate levels) is not a method series or a series of method books. Each book contains 21 original
performance pieces (except for volume 3 which contains just 10 original piano solos) written by Music
Mentor
TM
Jerald M. Simon.

Each book teaches music theory through music that excites, entertains, and educates
TM
. There are
several exercises or links to FREE downloadable exercises on the Music Motivation website
(musicmotivation.com).

Each piece and each exercise in the books teaches a specific skill (in volume 3 students are challenged
to do something with improvisation or composing) which is found beneath the exercise or title of the piece.

These books were not intended to replace current books being used by teachers and students. The
series is a supplemental series that may be added to any teaching curriculum or method. The pieces were
written to inspire and motivate piano students with cool sounding music. Many were written specifically with
boys in mind.

In the Primer Level book, rhythms and notes are introduced to piano students. Key signatures (the
circle of 5
ths
), major pentascales, and triads built from the C major scale are also introduced in a fun and cool
way.

In volumes 1, 2, and 3, music theory is introduced and taught through cool and upbeat piano solos
teaching various styles: jazz, blues, boogie woogies, new age, classical, sound track thriller, polka, church
chimes, rock, pop, ballads, etc.
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(primer level)
MM00001013
$10.95
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(volume 1)
MM00001010
$10.95
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(volume 2)
MM00001011
$10.95
On page 37 of this book, you will find the Music Motivation

Methodology
TM
(for piano). Use it as a
guide for teaching students theory concepts. It is an outline I created for myself so I would know what I
personally wanted students to learn in each of the three stages I created: (1) Apprentice, (2) Maestro, and (3)
Virtuoso. It is only an outline or suggestion - add to it or subtract from it. If you are doing something different
altogether that works, keep doing it. This is meant to give you ideas and supplement what you are already
doing.
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(volume 3)
MM00001012
$10.95
36
MM00001010
This is the book in your hands
=
37
MM00001010
Repertoire
Music
Terminology
Key
Signatures
Music
Notation
Rhythms
Intervals
Scales
Modes
Chords
Arpeggios
Inversions
Technique
Sight Reading
Ear Training
Music History
Improvisation
Composition
Music Motivation

Exercises (volume 2)
Cool Songs for Cool Kids (volume 2)
Variations on Mary Had a Little Lamb
The Dawn of a New Age (volume 1)
Jazzed about Jazz (volume 1)
An Introduction to Scales and Modes
Music Motivation

Exercises (volume 3)
Cool Songs for Cool Kids (volume 3)
The Dawn of a New Age (volumes 2 & 3)
Triumphant, Sea Fever, Hymns of
Exaltation, Jazzed about Jazz (volumes 2/3)
Tempo Markings
Dynamic Markings
Parts of the Piano
Styles and Genres of Music
Music Motivation

2
nd
Year Terminology
Piano , , Forte ; Mezzo Piano _
Mezzo Forte Pianissimo ,,
Fortissimo ;;
Music Motivation

1
st
Year Terminology
Pocket Music Dictionary (2 - 3 years)
Harvard Dictionary of Music (4 + years)
Parts/History of the Piano
Music Composers (Biographies)
Music Motivation

3
rd
Year Terminology
Names and Positions of notes on the staff
(both hands - Treble and Bass Clefs)
Names and Positions of notes above and
below the staff (both hands)
History of Music Notation (the
development of notation)
Spiral of Fifths
Circle of 5
ths
/Circle of 4
ths
All Major and Minor key signatures
(Identify each key and name the sharps and flats)
Sixteenth notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
One-hundred-twenty-eighth
notes/rests
All Perfect, Major, Minor, Augmented,
and Diminished intervals (in every key)
All Harmonic and Melodic intervals
Explain the intervals used to create major,
minor, diminished, and augmented chords?
9
th
, 11
th
, and 13
th
intervals
Analyze music (Hymns and Classical) to
identify intervals used in each measure.
Identify/Name intervals used in chords.
C, G, D, A, F, B , E & A (Major)
A, E, B, F , D, G, C & F (Minor)
Begin learning all major key signatures
, ,
All Major Pentascales (5 finger scales)
All Minor Pentascales (5 finger scales)
All Diminished Pentascales (5 finger scales)
C Major Scale (1 octave) A min. Scale (1 oct.)
(Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do) (solfege)
All Major Scales (Every Key 1 - 2 octaves)
All Minor Scales (Every Key 1 - 2 octaves)
(natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales)
All Major Scales (Every Key 3 - 5 Octaves)
All Minor Scales (Every Key 3 - 5 Octaves)
All Blues Scales (major and minor)
Cultural Scales
Ionian/Aeolian (C/A, G/E, D/B, A/F ) All Modes (I, D, P, L, M, A, L) All keys Modulating with the Modes (Dorian to Dorian)
All Major Chords, All Minor Chords,
All Diminished Chords, C Sus 2, C Sus 4,
C+ (Aug)., C 6
th
, C minor 6
th
, C 7
th
,
C Maj. 7
th
, C minor Major 7
th
, A min.,
A Sus 2, A Sus 4,
All Major, Minor, Diminished,
Augmented, Sus 2, Sus 4,
Sixth, Minor Sixth, Dominant
7
th
and Major 7
th
Chords
Review All Chords from 1
st
and 2
nd
year
experiences
All 7
th
, 9
th
, 11
th
, and 13
th
chords
inversions and voicings.
Same chords as above (1 - 2 octaves) Same chords as above (3 - 4 octaves) Same chords as above (4 + octaves)
Same chords as above (1 - 2 octaves) Same chords as above (3 - 4 octaves) Same chords as above (4 + octaves)
Wieck, Hannon, Bach (well tempered clavier) Bertini-Germer, Czerny, I. Philipp
Major versus Minor sounds (chords/intervals) C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and intervals
Key of C Major and G Major
Schmitt Preparatory Exercises, (Hannon)
All Key Signatures, Hymns, Classical
The origins of the Piano Forte Baroque, Classical, Jazz, Blues Students choice - All genres, Composers
Mary Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle, Twinkle... Blues Pentascale, Barrelhouse Blues Classical, New Age, Jazz, Blues, etc. Play w/ IPod
5 note melody (both hands - key of C and G) One - Two Page Song (include key change) Lyrical, Classical, New Age, Jazz, etc.
Key Signatures and Chords, Play w/ IPod
M O T I V A T I O N

The Music Motivation

Methodology (for piano)

by Jerald M. Simon
The Music Motivation

Methodology

- created by Jerald M. Simon - Copyright 2007 by Music Motivation

International Copyright Secured - All Rights Reserved

visit musicmotivation.com to learn more about Music Motivation

for 1
st
& 2
nd
year students
Music Motivation

Exercises (volume 1)
What Every Pianist Should Know (Free PDF)
Cool Songs for Cool Kids (primer level)
Cool Songs for Cool Kids (volume 1)

Apprentice Q Q
for 2
nd
- 4
th
year students for 3
rd
year students and above
-
.

.
.
.
T
h
i
s

i
s

o
n
l
y

a
n

o
u
t
l
i
n
e

o
r

s
u
g
g
e
s
t
i
o
n

-

a
d
d

t
o

i
t

o
r

s
u
b
t
r
a
c
t

f
r
o
m

i
t
!


I
f

y
o
u

a
r
e

d
o
i
n
g

s
o
m
e
t
h
i
n
g

d
i
f
f
e
r
e
n
t

a
l
l

t
o
g
e
t
h
e
r

t
h
a
t

w
o
r
k
s
,

k
e
e
p

d
o
i
n
g

i
t
.


T
h
i
s

i
s

m
e
a
n
t

t
o

g
i
v
e

y
o
u

i
d
e
a
s

a
n
d

s
u
p
p
l
e
m
e
n
t

w
h
a
t

y
o
u

r
e

a
l
r
e
a
d
y

d
o
i
n
g
.


Music Motivation

Book(s) Music Motivation

Book(s) Music Motivation

Book(s)
Songs in Pentascale position: Classical, Jazz, Blues,
Popular, Students Choice, Personal Composition (in
pentascale position) etc.
Baroque, Romantic, Classical, Jazz, Blues, Popular,
New Age, Students Choice, Personal Composition.
Baroque, Romantic, Classical, Jazz, Blues, Popular,
New Age, Contemporary, Broadway Show Tunes,
Standards, Students Choice, Personal Composition
_
,
_
_

,

_

,
[
_

,
[
_
_
_
_
Thirty-second notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
Sixty-fourth notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
Whole notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
Half notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
Quarter notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
Eighth notes/rests
(say it and play it - count out loud)
(Do, Di, Re, Ri, Mi, Fa, Fi,
Sol, Si, La, Li, Ti, Do) (solfege - chromatic)
_
Maestro Q QVirtuoso Q Q
1
st
, 2
nd
, 3
rd
, 4
th
, 5
th
, 6
th
, 7
th
, 8
th
, and 9
th

intervals (key of C, G, D, F, B , and E ).
Harmonic and Melodic intervals (key of C,
G, D, A, E, and B)
, ,
, , ,
Key of C, G, D, A, E, F, B, E, A , D
,
For more on rhythm, I recommend:

Rhythmic Trainingby Robert Starer and
Logical Approach to Rhythmic Notation (books 1 & 2)
by Phil Perkins
,
_
38
visit musicmotivation.com
Check out these best sellers by Jerald M. Simon
Hymns of Exaltation CD
MMCD01001
$9.97 plus tax
MM00001005
$13.95
Sea Fever
MM00001007
$13.95
Hymns of Exaltation
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(primer level)
MM00001013
$10.95
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(volume 1)
MM00001010
$10.95
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(volume 2)
MM00001011
$10.95
Cool Songs for Cool Kids
(volume 3)
MM00001012
$10.95
Jazzed about Christmas
MM00001009
$9.95
Variations on
Mary Had a Little Lamb
MM00001002
$8.95
Jazzed about 4
th
of July
MM00001014
$9.95
An Introduction to
Scales and Modes 2
nd
Edition
MM00001001A
$14.95
MM00001008
$16.95
Triumphant
MM00001004
$13.95
Jazzed about Jazz
(volume 2)
The Music Motivation

Goal Book
MM00001006
$9.95