Just for You, Book 4: Piano Book

Alexander knows exactly what intermediate pianists are ready for at this stage, pieces that offer real musical substance without unnecessary technical demands. The variety across these ten solos means every student finds something that speaks to them, whether they gravitate toward the lyrical quality of the waltzes, the narrative drive of the rags, or the syncopated independence the jazz pieces require. Programming an entire recital from a single book like this gives your students confidence and creates natural programming flow.

These solos span from the gentle, introspective atmosphere of romantic ballads to the toe-tapping energy of syncopated rags and jazz numbers. The writing balances accessibility with genuine musicality, never talking down to the player while remaining within reach of their technical abilities.

Intermediate to late intermediate pianists looking for repertoire that feels fresh and contemporary while building essential skills. Teachers who want a curated collection of accessible but stylistically diverse pieces suitable for recitals, festivals, or unit-based study.

• Study the style context of each piece before diving into mechanics. The waltzes and ballads need an understanding of rubato and phrase breathing that's different from the rhythmic precision the rags and jazz demand.
• Let the accompaniment recordings serve as a rhythmic anchor, particularly in the jazz and rag sections where swing feel and groove matter as much as note accuracy.
• Voice the left hand chords deliberately in the ballads. Alexander writes singable, logical progressions that reveal themselves when each note is heard clearly rather than blurred together.

Build an entire student recital around this book, using the stylistic variety to create distinct sections that hold listener interest across a full program. Alternatively, draw individual pieces into your curriculum alongside theory study, pair a waltz with harmonic analysis, a rag with rhythm independence exercises, or a jazz piece with syncopation exploration.

• Waltz rhythm and three-beat phrasing
• Jazz articulation and swing feel
• Ragtime syncopation and rhythmic independence between hands
• Rubato and expressive timing in ballad settings
• Style-specific touch and tone production
• Harmonic analysis through performing functional progressions across multiple idioms