David Carr Glover's Favorite Solos, Book 2: Piano Book

This collection captures exactly what made Glover's solos classroom staples: real variety in style and mood within a narrow technical range, meaning your students encounter genuinely different musical worlds without outpacing their technique. Each piece sounds complete and satisfying, so students feel genuine accomplishment rather than playing fragments. The selection here reads like a curated digest of what actually works in studios and lesson rooms.

This collection spans playground energy ('March of the Fleas,' 'Hoe Down'), cinematic atmosphere ('Japanese Garden,' 'Moon Mist,' 'The Great Cathedral'), and light character music ('Sneaky Creepy Things,' 'Spooky Games'). The writing is clear and singable at the keyboard, so students experience the satisfaction of playing genuinely musical lines rather than mechanical exercises.

Late elementary and early intermediate pianists who are ready for more engaging repertoire than drill pieces but still need accessible technical and reading challenges. Studio teachers and school music programs will find these pieces ideal for developing musical independence while students build the fundamentals that will support their later studies.

• Map out the dynamic arc before playing. These solos reward careful attention to contrast between sections, which transforms what might feel like a simple piece into something with real shape and personality.
• Listen to how each title directs your musical choices. 'Candlelight Supper Club' calls for legato elegance; 'Hoe Down' demands rhythmic snap. Let the character work for you rather than playing all pieces with the same touch.
• Anchor your tempo choices to the piece's emotional center rather than running through it quickly. Pieces like 'Moon Mist' and 'Evening Concerto No. 1' need breathing room to register their intended mood.
• Pay particular attention to any dynamic markings or articulations. Glover uses these economically, which means they carry weight when they appear.

Use these pieces as your go-to solo repertoire for recitals, festivals, and progress assessments throughout the year. The variety means you can match a piece to each student's personality and current technical focus, or program several alongside each other for a recital that showcases range without demanding advanced technique. The book's length makes it practical for quick lesson-to-lesson assignments as well.

• Reading and executing dynamic contrast (forte, piano, mezzo-piano in context)
• Sustaining musical phrasing across two-hand independence
• Playing articulated passages cleanly (staccato, accent, legato in combination)
• Interpreting character and mood from titles and markings
• Building rhythmic security in moderate tempos and varied meters
• Developing consistent touch across register changes and hand crossings