Especially for Adults, Book 2: Piano Book

Alexander writes for adult pianists with respect for their maturity while honoring the physical realities of building technique. This collection balances well-known favorites (Danny Boy, Simple Gifts) with original pieces that feel immediately singable, giving students the reward of recognizable melodies alongside fresh material. The harmonies are genuinely sophisticated—far richer than typical beginner fare—yet the hand positions and patterns remain manageable, making this an ideal companion to any standard adult method.

This collection offers emotional substance without pretension. Songs like Distant Memories and Thinking of You have genuine warmth and introspection, while Downtown Boogie and Midnight Rag bring energy and personality. Sonata Pathétique's familiar theme arrives as a tender recollection, and lighter pieces like Valsette and Starbeams provide variety and relief without sacrificing musical depth.

Adult pianists returning to study after years away, or those working through a traditional method who want to expand their repertoire with music that speaks to their musical interests and life experience. This book works equally well for piano students of any age at the intermediate level who have developed enough technique to handle multiple hand positions and chord voicings. Teachers seeking motivational material for this level will find pieces that students genuinely want to learn.

• Shape the lyrical lines by listening for the singing quality in the melody, even in pieces with rhythmic accompaniment patterns underneath
• Let the hand positions settle naturally; Alexander's voicings are designed to lie well under the fingers, so if something feels awkward, check that you're not forcing stretch beyond what the passage requires
• Approach the blues and ragtime pieces with rhythmic ease rather than mechanical precision; these styles invite slight flexibility and swing
• Use the varied textures across the collection as opportunities to explore different touch qualities and pedal choices rather than playing every piece the same way

Deploy individual selections throughout a recital to showcase different moods and styles without requiring students to stretch beyond intermediate technique. The collection works beautifully as a resource for informal recitals, studio group performances, or community events where adult learners can share meaningful music. Several pieces pair well with vocal or chamber collaborators if you're building mixed-format programs.

• Reading and performing voicings across wider hand positions
• Sustaining lyrical phrasing through block chord and pattern-based accompaniments
• Controlling rhythm and tempo in swing and ragtime idioms
• Pedal choices that enhance harmonic color without obscuring clarity
• Interpreting standard repertoire (themes, traditional songs) from a personal musical perspective