Review: Saturday Solos

Contest, Lesson resources, Reviews

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Susan Paradis.com. Susan is known for her fun games and printable resources for students, but did you know that she also has music books available to purchase?

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One of the music books she has written is called Saturday Solos. Susan composed 14 original solos to celebrate childhood. When she was a child, she remembers long sunny Saturday, hunting doodle bugs, playing in the creek, picking berries and riding bikes. Though times have changed some, one thing that doesn’t change is the fun of daydreaming and exploring.

Inside you will find pieces such as: “Stuck Inside, Laughing Song, I Like Bugs and Cycling Down the Street. These simple yet refreshing pieces are sure to delight each child who learns them. In addition, Susan has included 6 traditional pieces such as Camptown Races, Found a Peanut, Deedle Deedle Dumpling and She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain. She wanted to include some traditional pieces in this book so students had some pieces they would recognize.

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The pieces in Saturday Solos are written in C, middle C and G position. You won’t find expression marks in the music because Susan wanted to create music that would allow students to concentrate on the step and skip pattern. This also allows the student to add expression marks later. There is also minimum finger numbers encouraging teachers to add in when necessary.

Saturday Solos would make a perfect supplementary book for the beginning student. The solos are delightful, playful and simply refreshing. Because the pieces are pattern based with lots of stepping and skipping, it is a wonderful book for those students that need practice moving in different positions. In addition all the pieces lend itself well for students to learn and practice transposing. You can purchase Saturday Solos as well as other music she has written in her store here.

 

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120 Comments

  1. Laura B.

    I love Susan’s materials and would love to win a copy of Saturday Solos! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  2. Heather

    I use her worksheets regularly and would love to try this solo repertoire.

    Reply
  3. Bev Conway

    I also use all of Susan’s worksheets and games. The solo book sounds like fun (just like her games!)

    Reply
  4. Beverly Porter

    I’ve enjoyed teaching Susan’s Sunshine Solos and would love to try Saturday Solos.

    Reply
  5. Dorothy Mullikin

    Saturday Solos sounds perfect for my students and I love her games and ideas. Please consider me!

    Reply
  6. Treese muller

    I love everything Susan does! Pick me!!!!

    Reply
  7. Karen

    I use Susan’s resources regularly and would love to add this book to my stash!

    Reply
  8. Marcine Fennel

    Susan’s materials are such a great help. I’d love to try Saturday Solos.

    Reply
  9. Ellen

    Susan’s website is a wonderful resource that I use often. I love her music, and would love to have a copy of Saturday Solos!

    Reply
  10. Janice Martin

    I would love to win the Saturday Solos! Sounds like a wonderful resource I could use with many of my students!

    Reply
  11. Beth

    I love all of Susan’s ideas. I’ve used her pre-reader songs a few times. They’re always so pretty too!

    Reply
  12. Diane Conway

    I love Susan and her work!!! She is such a fun person and inspires me to make learning fun for my students! I use her work daily in my lessons and would love to win!

    Reply
  13. Christine Bookman

    I love all of Susan’s work and so do my students! This would make a great addition to our collection.

    Reply
  14. Andrea

    Here’s another teacher who loves Susan’s blog and resources! (She has some cute Valentine’s Day pages available if you are looking!)

    Reply
  15. jberkowitz2008

    I would love to win this book!

    Reply
  16. Margaret Fontiveors

    This sounds really great. I would love to win it!

    Reply
  17. Dixie Lawson

    This book looks great for my beginners! I would love to win it!

    Reply
  18. Carolyn

    This sounds great! I use Susan’s worksheets frequently and I am so thankful to have so many resources (like this blog) to help me learn to teach more effectively. I would love to win!

    Reply
  19. Lydia

    How wonderful! Please enter me.

    Reply
  20. Tifany Hoecherl

    What a fantastic collection! I have a lot of beginner students right now that are working on the step/skip theory and these songs would be a welcome addition to my resources. Thank you Susan!

    Reply
  21. Teresa K.

    What a treat! I love the description of Susan’s childhood moments. What child wouldn’t enjoy these pieces? Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this lovely book of Susan’s work.

    Reply
  22. Susanne

    Everything Susan does is utterly kid friendly..I am so hoping to win!

    Reply
  23. Shirley

    I can’t sing enough praises for Susan’s work. I love how her materials are all eye-candy to me. They make me happy just looking at them, so colorful and appealing. I would enjoy anything she produces and bless her for her hard work and for sharing with those of us who love beautiful things but can’t do it ourselves.

    Reply
  24. Heidi N

    I love using so many of Susan’s creative games during group lessons! I would love to try out this book too.

    Reply
  25. Karin Boumeester

    Susan’s material has been a gold mine for me. I just returned to teaching private pianos after teaching elementary music for 30 years. Her worksheets and games has made the transitionn so easy!

    Reply
  26. Jennifer Montag

    This book looks wonderful! I appreciate that you wanted to allow the students to focus on steps and skips. So practical for my students! Thank you

    Reply
  27. Abby

    Would love to have this book! Susan is a great inspiration for all piano teachers.

    Reply
  28. nmusic7

    I would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  29. Alpha Hockett Walker

    I really enjoy her music and materials and would love to have this book!

    Reply
  30. Rebecca Bluemel

    I’m sure this is a lovely piano book! I’m looking for new resources for my piano students. I would be thrilled if I won!!

    Reply
  31. Tiffiny Allen

    I love Susan Paradis’ site and this book looks like fun. Thanks

    Reply
  32. Kate Janssen

    Very excited to look further at this book! I follow Susan’s blog and have used many of her materials in my teaching!

    Reply
  33. Rhonda H

    I love Susan’s ideas and music and would love to see her new book!

    Reply
  34. Kathy G

    Love all things Susan, would love to win this book.

    Reply
  35. Jana Jaudon

    DItto all the above comments – Susan is the bomb!

    Reply
  36. Nancy Saunders

    Susan is my first “go-to” resource for EVERYTHING! Very rarely do I not find everything I need for my students. She’s absolutely fantastic!

    Reply
  37. Catherine Falce

    What a lovely opportunity. Thank you hosting this giveaway. I know some keen students here who’d love some more fun pieces to play. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Geri Miller

    Susan’s materials are wonderful! I would love to receive ‘Saturday Solos.’ I know her pieces will be excellent, just like everything else she does!

    Reply
  39. Rachel Cheney

    Susan rocks!! She produces wonderful resources for piano teachers and students. I would love to win “Saturday Solos!”

    Reply
  40. Sharon Dyer

    Love Susan Paradis games. Would love to win Saturday Solos.

    Reply
  41. Rebecca

    These look fabulous! I love Susan’s blog and games.

    Reply
  42. Lavinia Livingston

    Susan’s games are such educationally sound teaching materials. I think she really knows the psychological make-up of young pianists and the music she composes demonstrate that. Looking forward to using her Saturday Solos.

    Reply
  43. Leia

    Please enter me! I LOVE Susan’s music and games and everything. She is amazing.

    Reply
  44. Anne Marie Archibald

    The songs sound like such fun! Very exciting!

    Reply
  45. Sheila

    Susan’s resources are fantastic!

    Reply
  46. Angelica

    Those sound fun. A collection my student would enjoy, especially as spring recital approaches. :-).

    Reply
  47. Alice

    Susan’s been such a help to the piano teachers’ community. I’d love to try Saturday solos!

    Reply
  48. Spring Seals

    I love Susan’s resources, I’m sure I would be able to put these solos to use for Spring recitals 🙂

    Reply
  49. Julie

    I appreciate all Susan offers for piano teachers! I would love to try her book!

    Reply
  50. Maddie Cordes

    I would like to try the book having just come across her resources via the Facebook piano teachers group

    Reply
  51. Michelle DePasquale

    Love Susan’s resources!!! Use them with all my students. Great for my very visually oriented special needs students especially!!! I would love a copy of this book! :o)

    Reply
  52. Joyce Keeley

    I use a lot of her resources in my teaching. It would be great to have her solo book to use as well. What fun!

    Reply
  53. Ellen Taylor

    I don’t know of a week that goes by that I don’t use one of Susan’s ideas in my studio. This would be wonderful to have as well. Thanks for doing this.

    Reply
  54. Marge

    I am always looking for new solos, and Susan is a great resource!

    Reply
  55. Nancy Bettle

    SATURDAY SOLOS looks like a great supplement for my music files! I love Susan’s games, worksheets and music. What a treasure!!

    Reply
  56. claire

    I really enjoy Susan’s work. I have two students in particular who would love these songs and would benefit immensely from learning them. Thanks.

    Reply
  57. Shirlee

    Susan’s work has been such a blessing as I recently started a piano studio. Thank you for all your support and information.

    Reply
  58. Kristen

    What a great giveaway! I LOVE Susan’s resources and use them all! My students love them too! Would love a copy of this great book! Thanks.

    Reply
  59. Carla G

    I would LOVE to win this book! Susan’s resources are awesome!

    Reply
  60. Sue Russell-Carlson

    What a wonderful giveaway! I would love to win this book. Susan is so creative. I use a lot of her materials.
    Sue C

    Reply
  61. Tiffin

    I love your materials! Thanks, Susan! And thanks for the review, Jennifer!

    Reply
  62. Sara

    I love Susan’s printables! Glad I’ve been led to your blog now, too. Looks like you share lots of great info in addition to this wonderful give-away, so I’ll be following you via Feedly. Thanks!

    Reply
  63. Sue

    WE LOVE SUSAN PARADIS!

    Reply
  64. Kathy G

    The comments seem to be universal: ‘I love Susan’s printables and I use them all the time!’ I totally agree. What I wonder is how many of these commenters are donating to Susan’s site? If each of us who loves her materials donated $5 or 10 even once a year, it would give her a little financial lift as well as all the personal cheer I hope she gets from all of our appreciation!

    Reply
  65. Karen Moseley

    My student’s LOVE when I pull out one of Susan’s printables. What fun! I am so glad that Susan brought me to this blog.

    Reply
  66. Jutta Ohligs

    Thank you for all the great worksheets and prereading material!
    Greetings from germany!!!

    Reply
  67. Ann

    I definitely agree that Susan’s resources are fantastic. My pupils enjoy playing the Sunny Solos and her games and worksheets are well used in my studio. Other teachers I have told about her site are also very impressed. Sites like yours and Susan’s and the valuable information you share are amazing. Thank you very much for your generosity and constant inspiration.

    Reply
  68. L Callor

    I have been following Susan for a very long time. Love all her materials. My students have been playing a lot of her music. They always love the songs. I would love a copy of this book. Thanks for your. Log as well. Such a great resource.

    Reply
  69. Deanna Lodge

    I use Susan’s resources all the time and would love to win the copy of this solo book!

    Reply
  70. Annie

    Sounds like a fun book. Love Susan’s site. Would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for reviewing and the chance.

    Reply
  71. Jill

    I also love Susan’s website and her music. I appreciate her gentle spirit when responding to the Faber forum questions. Her Church and Christmas music transcriptions are so helpful with my beginning and intermediate students! Thanks for putting me in the draw for this book!

    Reply
  72. Kathy

    How exciting…..new music and a blog candy….yum, yum.

    Reply
  73. Joan

    I use many of Susan’s games, music, and ideas in my studio. Adding the newest of her solos would be great for my students.

    Reply
  74. Pam Dunlap

    Love Susan Paradis!

    Reply
  75. Phyllis Trautner

    I have quite a few students that would benefit from this giveaway. I would love to win!

    Reply
  76. lorrainem9

    Susan Paradis has wonderful resources for piano teachers. She is creative, loves things well done, and her resources exude the love she has for music and for her students. I use many of her games with my students and they just love them! Thanks to Susan for her love and dedication to music and to her generous spirit for sharing such fantastic resources.

    Reply
  77. Marlene M

    I am a big fan of Susan. Would like a chance to win to a copy of her book.

    Reply
  78. Veda Sullivan

    Love Susan’s Songs. Have used her resources for my students.

    Reply
  79. Michelle Mc.

    I am new to Susan’s materials but have found them helpful during lessons. A copy of her book would definitely be a great resource.

    Reply
  80. Lisa

    This is exciting! I’d love to try these solos. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  81. Catherine

    Thanks for your review. I’d love to win!

    Reply
  82. Heather

    The song entitled Stuck Inside sounds fitting for us this winter!

    Reply
  83. Charley Ann

    I really love Susan’s resources! She is so creative as well as inspiring! I have some students that I think would really benefit from this book. Hope I win!

    Reply
  84. Christina Kay

    Susan’s work is great. I would love to win!! 🙂

    Reply
  85. Dianne Chrestopoulos

    I have used so much of Susan’s materials and would love to win a copy of her solos. If they are as great as her other pieces, they will be fantastic.

    Reply
  86. Karen Warne

    How exiting! I LOVE Susan’s work! I have purchased Sunny Solos and More Sunny Solos. My students really get into these fun, lyrical pieces after finishing Level 1A. They “go to it” with gusto, excited that they can play an entire book between lessons. They feel like pros and can’t wait to dive into the next level. I already feel like a winner just having access to her website. Loads of stuff!

    Reply
  87. Betty Lange

    Thanks to Susan and her wonderfully imaginative aids, I have been making progress with a student who is perceptually impaired and has dyslexia. She is such a sweet girl and we laugh and love all the great games from Susan. Thank you again and again.

    Reply
  88. Rhonda Wendler

    Susan’s materials and music are wonderful. She helps piano teachers immensely! Students love the fun games and songs.

    Reply
  89. Coo Jarvis

    Thanks for the chance to win this book, this would be perfect for my students who are participating in the 40 piece challenge for the year.

    Reply
  90. Joanna

    Susan Paradis’ blog is so helpful and all my young students love her pieces. Favorite? Wiggly Worms! Thank you!

    Reply
  91. Marion

    I use Susan’s music resources all the time and would LOVE to win this book.

    Reply
  92. Nancy Davis

    I would love to win a copy of Saturday Solos. I really enjoy Susan’s blog!!! Nancy

    Reply
  93. Janene

    I’m a big fan of Susan’s resources. I would love to win this book!

    Reply
  94. Janeen Thomas

    Susan is a valuable resource for us piano teachers. She publishes brilliant materials that are educational, colorful and engaging. The kids love them and learn from them. It would be a wonderful asset to my studio. I’d love the chance to win her book!!

    Reply
  95. Sarah

    My students know Susan Paradis by name because I use so many of her games and songs. Not a week goes by when I don’t implement something I’ve learned from her. She would probably be very humbled if she knew how many people followed her songs and ideas. 🙂 I love how this book mixes some new songs and some good old recognizable ones.

    Reply
  96. Kim Oien

    What a fun idea for a book, I love the titles and would have a great time using the materials with my students!

    Reply
  97. Karen T

    Susan is a very talented lady. I’m sure some of my students would love this book.

    Reply
  98. tbjslocu

    I use her worksheets regularly and would love to try this solo repertoire.

    Reply
  99. Elizabeth F

    I join the chorus! Yes, she is wonderful and I would love a copy of her book of solos!

    Reply
  100. Wendy Payton

    I so appreciate Susan’s generosity and creativity. Her pieces, games and worksheets have been a source of inspiration to my students and to me. We would love a copy of her book.

    Reply
  101. Samantha Yoon

    I love all of her stuff. I would love to have a copy of her book.

    Reply
  102. Christy

    I find Susan’s materials to be very creative and inspiring! This would be a great resource! Count me in! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  103. Roxanne

    Another teacher that appreciates Susan’s creativity and passion. Thank you Susan and thanks for doing the giveaway.

    Reply
  104. Haneki Kriek

    I’d LOVE to try the book with my Littlies! They love her illustrations and fun worksheets!

    Reply
  105. Stephanie Hendrickson

    I love Susan’s blog and all her games, music, and worksheets! I use most of her things in my piano lessons every week, and my kids love it! I would love to have a copy of this book to add to my collection.

    Reply
  106. Ginger

    I would to win this. I use so many o Susan’s printouts with my students. I’m sure they’ll love this, too! : )

    Reply
  107. Valerie Wilkerson

    I love all of Susan’s resources! I would love to win this!

    Reply
  108. Laura Eilers

    we enjoy all of susan’s materials. this would be a great addition for my young students!

    Reply
  109. Lavinia Livingston

    My goodness! What a long column of comments! Very popular! I am happy, Susan, that you have included some traditional folk songs, like Comin’ Round the Mountain. Children do not know any of these songs and are losing the heritage of the pioneer music of our nation. I know just the student who will love this book.

    Reply
  110. Monica

    My students have so enjoyed the materials from Susan’s website. They actually giggle when we do the activities. I have not tried her music yet, but I would love to!

    Reply
  111. Tina at Mommynificent

    Susan comes up with such wonderful resources! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    Reply
  112. Robbin

    I use something of Susan’s every week in my studio. I would love to have this!

    Reply
  113. Deanna

    I enjoy using Susan’s songs and worksheets with my students and would adding this book to my collection.

    Reply

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