Elvina Pearce's Favorite Solos, Book 2: Piano Book

This collection reflects the sensibility of a composer who understands what works in the practice room and on the recital stage. Each piece balances immediate appeal with genuine musical substance, giving students real material to perform with pride while developing their technique in meaningful ways.

A tour through the contemporary musical landscape without leaving the early intermediate level. From the bluesy grooves and Latin rhythms to gentle character pieces and rhythmic studies, these solos feel fresh and purposeful while remaining approachable.

Early intermediate piano students preparing for recitals or simply building a diverse repertoire of engaging music. Teachers will find these solos equally valuable for building technique in context and for maintaining student motivation through genuine variety.

• Attend to the rhythmic character of each piece; titles like "Jackhammer Blues" and "Tango Ostinato" signal specific grooves and patterns that anchor the musical personality.
• Explore the dynamic and textural contrasts within each solo; these shorter pieces pack expressive variety, so resist playing at a single dynamic level.
• Use tempo markings and style indications to shape phrasing; pieces with evocative titles reward interpretation that reflects their character.

Mix and match pieces from this collection to create recitals that span contrasting moods and styles; the 16 selections offer enough variety to fill a short solo recital or to balance a shared student concert with minimal repetition of character.

• Rhythmic independence and syncopation in various styles (blues, swing, Latin, tango)
• Voice independence and hand coordination through ostinati and contrapuntal writing
• Stylistic interpretation across contemporary and traditional genres
• Dynamic control and color at the intermediate level
• Sight-reading through exposure to diverse musical idioms within a single book