Catherine Rollin's Favorite Solos, Book 1: Piano Book

Rollin has created a collection that reflects what elementary pianists actually want to play. Every piece in this book has proven appeal in studios across the country, which means your students will arrive at lessons genuinely excited to learn them. The stylistic variety here (from waltzes to rock and humorous character pieces) keeps the book engaging for the full span of early-to-late elementary, making it an exceptional method supplement that works because teachers and students have already voted with their hands.

This collection captures the joy of discovery that makes young pianists fall in love with playing. Each piece offers an accessible entry point into different musical worlds, from the whimsy of character pieces to the satisfaction of maintaining a steady groove in a rock-styled solo, all without sacrificing musical integrity or requiring hand stretches beyond elementary reach.

Early-to-late elementary pianists working through their first years of independent learning. Teachers seeking repertoire that bridges method books and recital preparation will find immediate classroom application in the varied styles and proven student appeal of these solos.

• Establish the groove early in pieces like 'Rock It!' and 'Lefty's Cool Strut' by tapping the pulse before playing through, so the rhythmic character feels intentional rather than mechanical.
• In the waltz sections, listen for the natural rubato that brings elegance to the piece without losing the underlying 3/4 pulse.
• Use the humor of the titles ('Bean Bag Dog,' 'Sneaky Skeleton') as your interpretive entry point; letting the musical character breathe naturally often requires less technical correction than technical focus alone.

These solos work beautifully as recital selections throughout the year; the variety of styles means you can program them alongside classical pieces or showcase your studio's range in a mixed-repertoire recital. Two selections ('Hoe-Down' and 'Witches' Brew') are Federation Festivals selections for 2016-2024, making them ideal preparation for students entering adjudicated events.

• Maintaining steady tempo and rhythmic accuracy in varied time signatures and styles
• Bringing musical character and phrasing to short-form solo pieces
• Navigating hand position and technical clarity across octaves and left-hand patterns
• Reading and interpreting score markings in different musical styles (waltz, rock, character pieces)
• Building confidence through repertoire that balances accessibility with genuine musical interest