Five-Star Solos, Book 4: 9 Colorful Piano Solos: Piano
9 Colorful Piano Solos
By Dennis Alexander
Level: Early Intermediate
Item: 00-PB-0000540
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Description
Book 4 of the Five-Star Solos series provides a wide variety of pieces to teachers and early intermediate-level students. An array of styles, colors, tempos, and moods are included. Ballads, waltzes, Latin pieces, contemporary sounds, and "showstoppers" all combine to make teaching fun and exciting. Students will be rewarded with music that sets them apart from the crowd. Titles: Around Twilight * Ever Evolving * Fleeting Thoughts * In the Groove! * Kick It on Home! * Little Prelude in C Major * Scherzino * Tarantella Veloce * Valse nouveau. 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, Five-Star Solos, Book 4: 9 Colorful Piano Solos: Piano comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Five-Star
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
24
SKU:
00-PB-0000540
More about this title
About the Composer: Dennis Alexander
Dennis Alexander has published over 400 compositions with Alfred Music Publishing since 1986, establishing himself as a leading voice in educational piano repertoire across all levels. His career spans decades of teaching (24 years at the University of Montana as piano department chair, followed by faculty positions at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge) and performing, including a New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall and collaborative work with internationally recognized soloists and chamber ensembles.
Beyond the studio and concert hall, Alexander remains active as a clinician at state and national conventions and has been commissioned by numerous organizations to compose new works. He has toured internationally to conduct master classes and perform recitals throughout Asia, and continues to compose from his home in Albuquerque while maintaining an active schedule with Alfred Music Publishing.
Why we love this
Alexander's gift for variety shines throughout this collection. Nine pieces span waltzes, Latin grooves, contemporary textures, and crowd-pleasing showstoppers, so every student finds something that speaks to their musical taste and keeps practice sessions genuinely engaging rather than obligatory.
What to expect
This collection vibrates with color and forward motion. You move fluidly from introspective moments (the twilight serenity of 'Around Twilight') to infectious rhythmic energy ('Kick It on Home!'), discovering fresh textures in contemporary voicings alongside traditional waltz elegance.
Who it's for
Early intermediate pianists ready for recital repertoire that sounds polished and contemporary rather than purely classical. Teachers seeking a single book that covers multiple styles, levels, and moods so students can choose pieces aligned with their interests and strengths.
How to get the most out of it
- Study the character sketch of each piece before diving into mechanics. Alexander's titles give real clues about mood and texture; 'Ever Evolving' demands continuous voice movement, while 'In the Groove!' needs locked rhythmic confidence.
- Balance velocity within pieces that mix moods. Pieces like 'Valse nouveau' shift between lyrical passages and brighter sections; let each moment breathe without sounding choppy.
- Use the stylistic diversity as a springboard for tone exploration. A Latin rhythm ('In the Groove!') calls for different touch and voicing than a prelude or ballad; each genre teaches your hands something new.
How to use it
Build a recital around two or three pieces from this book to showcase your student's range in a single performance. The variety allows pianists at the same level to program distinct personalities, or use the collection as a repertoire bank throughout the year as technique develops.
Skills your students will build
- Stylistic interpretation across ballads, waltzes, Latin rhythms, and contemporary textures
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated and groove-based material
- Voice independence and balance in pieces with independent melodic lines
- Tempo control and character differentiation between contrasting sections
- Pedal usage for color and sustain across varied harmonic contexts