A Perfect 10, Book 5: Piano Book

This collection succeeds because Bober understands exactly what a late intermediate pianist needs: genuine musical variety without artifice. Four commissioned arrangements of classical standards sit alongside six original pieces that explore jazz, blues, ragtime, and Latin idioms, so students encounter real stylistic breadth in a single book. The writing balances technical demand with genuine expressive opportunity, making each piece rewarding to practice and satisfying to perform.

Moving from a Bach solfeggio to a tango to a ragtime number in one book creates an exhilarating sense of musical versatility. The writing sparkles with character and personality while respecting the technical and emotional maturity of the player, making each piece feel like a genuine accomplishment.

Late intermediate pianists ready to explore stylistic range and refine expressive control. This book works for private studio students preparing for festivals, competitions, or recitals, and for anyone building a diverse performance repertoire.

• Listen to recordings of authentic blues and jazz performances before tackling "Big Time Blues" and "Contrary Jazz." Bober's notation guides interpretation, but hearing how jazz pianists handle swing rhythms and blues phrasing will deepen your understanding of the style.
• In the Chopin and Tcherepnin pieces, honor the original composers' articulation and pedal markings as a foundation, then layer in Bober's expressive suggestions. This shows respect for the source material while building your own interpretive voice.
• Approach the ragtime rhythm in "Showtime Rag" with precision and swing. These pieces demand crisp articulation and a confident sense of pulse, so use the metronome to lock the syncopation before adding tempo.
• Let the mood of each piece guide your tone production. "Rain on the Lake" and "Midnight Tango" have distinctly different characters; shifting your touch and pedal use between them will prevent the recital from feeling one-dimensional.

Curate a mixed-style recital by pulling individual pieces from this book and combining them with other late intermediate repertoire, or program the entire book as a festival or school recital to showcase your student's range. The Federation Festival selections "Big Time Blues" and "Rain on the Lake" are ready for competition; the remaining eight pieces make natural companions for continued development through the season.

• Stylistic awareness across Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary composition
• Jazz and blues idioms including swing rhythms, blues phrasing, and jazz harmony
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated and contemporary meters
• Expressive control in ballad and lyrical writing
• Pedal technique and tonal color matching
• Left-hand independence and rhythmic accompaniment patterns
• Interpretation of articulation, dynamics, and form across diverse pieces