Rhythm 'n' Style, Book 2: Piano Book

Tingley understands what early intermediate pianists actually want to play. These solos tap into rhythmic styles students recognize and enjoy—ragtime, Latin grooves, and swing feels—so the motivation to practice comes built in. The collection strikes a real balance between accessibility and musical substance, giving your students legitimate recital material that doesn't feel like a compromise.

These pieces move with swagger and groove. Ragtime syncopations bounce with playful energy, Latin rhythms sway and swing with warmth, and swing passages have a relaxed, propulsive feel. Throughout, Tingley's writing balances rhythmic sophistication with accessibility, so students hear themselves making real music, not just practicing technique.

Early intermediate pianists ready to explore rhythmic styles beyond classical forms. Teachers seeking recital solos that engage students through contemporary, recognizable grooves while building solid musicianship.

• Study the rhythmic character of each piece separately from the notes. Tingley's rhythmic vocabulary is precise, and getting the feel right before full tempo playing helps students grasp the style authentically.
• Work the left hand patterns independently first, especially in pieces with steady groove elements. These pieces often ask the left hand to establish a consistent rhythmic foundation that the right hand plays over.
• Listen to recordings of authentic ragtime, Latin, and swing music before rehearsing. Hearing the real thing gives students context for stylistic details that notation alone cannot convey.

Build a recital or informal performance around a ragtime-Latin-swing theme, programming several solos from this collection as a cohesive set. Individual pieces also work well as lighter programming choices alongside more formal classical selections, giving concerts variety and keeping audiences engaged.

• Syncopated rhythmic reading and execution in ragtime and swing contexts
• Steady accompaniment patterns in Latin and groove-based styles
• Stylistic interpretation beyond classical repertoire
• Left hand independence and consistency in maintaining grooves
• Swing eighth-note feel and dotted-rhythm accuracy