Just for You, Book 2: Piano Book

Alexander writes with a genuine understanding of what keeps students engaged at the keyboard. Book 2 balances melodic appeal with approachable technique, so students feel like they're playing real music rather than exercises. The variety across styles prevents repertoire fatigue and gives you natural programming flexibility across the school year.

Lyrical and unpretentious. The waltzes have graceful, singable lines; the ballads invite expressive playing without demanding virtuosity; and the rags and jazz pieces bring rhythmic vitality and personality. Throughout, Alexander's writing feels genuinely musical rather than pedagogically constrained.

Late elementary through early intermediate pianists who need repertoire that rewards consistent practice with pieces they actually want to play. Teachers seeking material that spans multiple musical idioms without overwhelming younger students will find this collection essential.

• Shape the melodies in the waltzes with careful attention to phrase length; let the lyrical quality breathe without dragging the underlying pulse.
• In the jazz and rag pieces, anchor the rhythmic feel by establishing the swing subdivision clearly during initial run-throughs.
• Record a few pieces early in the practice cycle and play them back for your student; hearing themselves on these accessible arrangements builds confidence quickly.
• Encourage pedal exploration in the ballads, but wait until the piece is technically solid before introducing sustain pedal work.

Use Book 2 as your primary source for recital and studio performance repertoire at this level, rotating styles across the year to keep programming fresh. The collection works equally well as a group lesson text where mixed-level students can explore different pieces simultaneously, or as supplementary material alongside a graded method book to deepen musicianship.

• Phrasing and lyrical shaping in dance forms
• Understanding jazz and ragtime rhythmic feels
• Control of legato and staccato articulation
• Dynamic contrast within single-key environments
• Left-hand independence and accompaniment patterns
• Expressive use of pedal in romantic styles