Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Book 3: Piano Book

Alexander knows exactly what works in a teaching studio because he has spent decades in one. These seven pieces balance technical growth with genuine musical satisfaction, meaning students gain concrete skills while actually enjoying the music they're learning. The variety within a single book removes the guesswork from repertoire selection, giving you ready-made choices across styles and moods.

This collection reflects the full spectrum of what a skilled pianist can express at this level. You'll encounter charming humor, quiet introspection, rhythmic vitality, and lyrical elegance within a single book, all written with crystal-clear harmonic language and satisfying pianistic writing that rewards careful listening.

Late intermediate and early advanced pianists ready to move beyond method book supplements into genuine recital repertoire. Teachers will reach for this book when students have solid technique but need pieces that feel substantial without overwhelming them. These solos work equally well for students preparing for competitions, recitals, or simply expanding their musical library.

• Approach each piece's stylistic character as seriously as you would its technical demands. The difference between Danse Humoresque and Reverie in F Minor asks for genuine musical contrasts, not just note accuracy.
• Map out the emotional arc before diving into mechanics. Alexander writes with narrative shape, so identify where the music builds tension and where it releases it.
• Use the varied tempos and textures across the collection to develop your flexibility as a player. Moving from Tarantella Burleska to Serenade in E-flat Major strengthens your musical range.

Program these individually across multiple recitals to showcase different facets of a student's musicianship, or select contrasting pieces to create a cohesive recital set that demonstrates range and maturity. The late intermediate pieces work well as performance goals for students transitioning from early intermediate repertoire, while the early advanced selections prepare stronger players for the professional-level repertoire ahead.

• Stylistic interpretation across contrasting genres (humoresque, reverie, tarantella, toccata)
• Harmonic navigation in key centers including F minor and E-flat major
• Rhythmic security in varied meters and textures
• Dynamic control and pedal coordination for expressive phrasing
• Technique-to-music synthesis at the late intermediate threshold