Just for You, Book 1: Piano Book

Alexander knows exactly what keeps students motivated: pieces that sound rewarding after just a few weeks of practice, yet offer enough musical substance to matter. This collection balances accessibility with genuine artistry, so students aren't bored by overly simplified writing and teachers aren't cringing at what they're assigning.

Stepping into a piano salon where sophisticated taste and approachable musicianship coexist. Waltzes glide with old-world grace, jazz pieces snap with understated cool, and ballads invite genuine emotional expression without requiring advanced technique.

Elementary pianists ready to explore styles beyond classical sonatinas but who still need clear harmonic structure and accessible technical demands. This book works equally well for students in their first or second year of lessons and for adults approaching the instrument for the first time.

• Shape the melodic line in the waltzes with a singing tone; these are meant to evoke ballroom elegance, not mechanical precision.
• Let the jazz pieces breathe with natural rubato rather than strict metronomic adherence; Alexander's syncopation works best when it feels conversational.
• Balance the accompaniment figure against the melody so the listener hears a dialogue, not a melody drowning in chords.

Feature selections from this collection in student recitals to showcase stylistic range; a waltz followed by a rag demonstrates versatility while keeping audience interest high. Individual pieces also work as engaging homework alternatives when students need a break from their primary method book.

• Phrasing and musical shaping across different tonal characters
• Syncopated rhythms and swing feel in jazz idioms
• Waltz accompaniment patterns and three-beat dance meter
• Left-hand independence in supporting melodic material
• Basic pedal technique in romantic ballads
• Style-appropriate articulation and touch