Continuing the legendary Modern Course series, John Thompson’s Modern Course for Piano – Third Grade elevates students from technique to true musical interpretation. Building from the foundation of the Second Grade book, this book empowers students to interpret music with individuality, moving beyond imitation to authentic expression.

With thoughtfully curated pieces, including works from La Cucaracha to Beethoven’s Septet, students explore a broad musical landscape. Each piece is designed to highlight key aspects of pianistic skill while introducing fundamental principles of interpretation. Special notes accompany each example, encouraging students to understand a composer’s intentions and form their unique responses.

This book also introduces 24 short Preludes across all keys as preparatory exercises to build fluidity in various key signatures. For further technical growth, students can use the supplementary Third Grade Velocity Studies, a collection of master etudes from composers like Czerny and Burgmüller. Together, these resources provide a complete and engaging path to becoming a versatile, expressive pianist ready for more advanced repertoire.