Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Book 1 Cover Image

Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Book 1: Piano Book

$6.95 USD

Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Book 1: Piano Book

Name: Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Book 1: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-24601
Price: 6.95 USD
Availability: InStock

10 of His Original Piano Solos

By Dennis Alexander

Level: Elementary / Late Elementary

Item: 00-24601

$6.95

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The contents of this book have been personally selected by Dennis Alexander as some of his all-time favorite sheet music solos. Many of the solos are among the most requested by piano teachers and students alike. The varied styles of each piece makes this book a valuable supplement to most piano methods. This book contains 10 elementary to late elementary pieces including: Apache Braves * Entrada in G Major * Imperial Sonatina * The Lost Troubadour * March King * Old Daddy Longlegs * Shout It Out! * Springboard * A Very Happy Song! * Who's That Knockin'? A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection. A Federation Festivals 2024-2028 selection.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Book 1: Piano Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Favorite Solos

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 24

ISBN10: 0-7390-3934-2

ISBN13: 978-0-7390-3934-2

UPC: 038081270593

SKU: 00-24601

More about this title

About the Composer: Dennis Alexander

Dennis Alexander has shaped educational piano repertoire since joining Alfred Music Publishing in 1986, amassing over 400 compositions and recordings that have established him as one of the most widely performed writers of teaching pieces at all levels. His teaching career spanned decades, beginning in 1972 at the University of Montana where he led the piano department for twenty-four years before relocating to California to teach at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge. Beyond the studio, Alexander maintains an active performing life as soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician, having made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 1987 and performed internationally across Asia, including concert tours and workshops throughout Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea. He has received commissions from numerous state and national music organizations and served as clinician at conventions for the Music Teachers National Association and state affiliates.

A native of Kansas who studied at the University of Kansas under Richard Reber, Alexander continues to compose and tour from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His contributions to piano pedagogy have earned international recognition, and his influence extends throughout music education through both his published works and his ongoing involvement with festivals, competitions, and master classes.

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Why we love this

Alexander's ear for what engages young pianists is on full display here: each piece offers genuine musical substance without unnecessary technical complications. These selections represent the repertoire teachers actually reach for when students need something stylistically fresh that still respects the development level, making this collection far more practical than a generic "solos book."

What to expect

This collection spans vivid character pieces with genuine personality: moments of playfulness and buoyant energy sit alongside reflective, lyrical passages. Each solo carries enough melodic charm and rhythmic interest to feel like a complete musical statement rather than a exercise dressed up as a piece.

Who it's for

Elementary and late elementary piano students preparing recital material, festival entries, or supplementary repertoire alongside method study. Teachers seeking pieces that combine musical credibility with accessible technical demands will find this collection essential for filling the gap between methodical exercises and more ambitious solo work.

How to get the most out of it

Attend to the character marking of each piece from the opening phrase; Alexander's titles signal the expressive intent you'll need to shape the musical line
Balance rhythmic clarity with the melodic contour so that accompaniment figures never obscure the primary voice
Treat dynamic markings as architectural elements that frame phrases rather than arbitrary volume changes

How to use it

Select pieces from this book for student recitals throughout the year, particularly where variety of style matters. The range of moods and titles makes it ideal for thematic programming ("Who's That Knockin'?" and "Old Daddy Longlegs" work well in lighter segments), and multiple pieces qualify for festival seasons, allowing different students to claim selections suited to their advancing abilities.

Skills your students will build

Reading across varied musical styles (march, sonatina form, character piece)
Shaping lyrical lines with consistent tone and phrase direction
Coordinating rhythmic independence between hands
Interpreting expressive markings and tempo indications to shape overall character
Building technical security in keys and hand positions appropriate to elementary level