Either/Or: Piano Book

This collection solves a genuine problem that every piano teacher faces: students with temporary injuries, sore hands, or simply the need for a fresh challenge at the elementary level. Grill's concept is elegant and practical, offering real teaching value that extends beyond mere accommodation. The fact that multiple pieces earned festival selections across two consecutive years speaks to the quality and appeal of this writing.

These nine pieces range from playful and whimsical to gently waltzing, capturing the character and levity that elementary students love. The simplicity of single-hand writing never feels limiting; instead, it creates clarity and focus that lets young pianists shine without the burden of coordinating two independent lines.

Early elementary pianists who can read treble clef and are ready to tackle ensemble voicings or who need to maintain their practice during a hand or arm injury. Advanced elementary students will appreciate the harmony and accompaniment options that let them expand these pieces once they have use of both hands.

• When students have two functional hands again, revisit the pieces and layer in the accompaniment or harmony parts to extend their learning and offer new interpretive possibilities.
• Use these for daily sight-reading practice with students who are solid early elementary readers; the single-hand constraint actually sharpens focus on accuracy and phrasing.
• Isolate the hand independence that these pieces develop by having students practice the intended hand while the other hand rests on the knee; this builds awareness of what that hand alone can communicate musically.
• Assign Festival selections from this collection to students preparing for competitive events; the titles have proven appeal with adjudicators.

Feature a Festival selection from this book on a studio recital or school concert as a charming early elementary showcase piece. The variety of character across the nine selections also makes this an ideal resource for rotation during ensemble playing sessions when you want material that's accessible, engaging, and refreshingly different from standard methods.

• Reading single-line melodic passages with accurate rhythm and phrasing
• Building finger strength and control in one hand at a time
• Sight-reading fluency in early elementary repertoire
• Understanding how melody and accompaniment interact when both hands eventually return
• Maintaining practice momentum and musical engagement during hand or arm injury recovery