Robert D. Vandall's Favorite Solos, Book 2: Piano Book

Vandall understands what intermediate students actually want to play. These pieces avoid the mechanical drills that dominate many method books; instead, they offer real musical moments with style, character, and enough technical variety to keep students engaged across an entire recital or practice year. The collection spans genre and mood, so you can program them individually or chain several together for a coherent student performance.

This collection captures the breadth of what intermediate pianists can express. You'll move from impressionistic reflection to energetic boogie, from classical study to contemporary toccata. Each piece feels complete and rewarding to play, never subordinate to a larger method or curriculum.

Early intermediate and intermediate piano students ready for repertoire that balances technical growth with genuine musicality. Teachers seeking a collection of reliable, appealing solos for recitals, festivals, or progressive learning throughout the year.

• Listen to each piece for its rhythmic identity before drilling technique. Barnstorm Boogie and Rocky Mountain Morning each have distinct grooves; locking into the groove first makes the mechanics follow naturally.
• Treat the Bagatelles and Etude No. 1 in F Major as finger work with musical purpose. Practice hands separately until independence is secure, then bring them together at a tempo that preserves clarity in both voices.
• Shape the longer, more lyrical pieces (Another Spring, Reflections, A Special Day) with phrase breathing in mind, even though they're solo piano. Imagine a singer's line to inform your pedal and dynamic choices.
• Use the toccata and boogie styles as opportunities to develop rhythmic precision and finger independence. These pieces reward even, confident articulation.

Select individual pieces for student recitals based on mood and technical focus; the variety means you can build a balanced program without relying on other collections. Use the Etude and Bagatelles as technical repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicality, and lean on the character pieces (Rocky Mountain Morning, A Special Day) as accessible anchors for students building confidence in performance.

• Hand independence and coordination across varied textures
• Pedal control and awareness of color and resonance
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary and stylized idioms
• Phrasing and dynamic shaping in contrasting musical moods
• Sight-reading fluency across early intermediate to intermediate difficulty
• Technical facility in scales, arpeggios, and finger patterns within musical context