Solo Xtreme, Book 3: Piano Book

Bober writes specifically for the moment when students are ready to move beyond simple single-line playing but need scaffolding to handle hand independence and keyboard navigation confidently. Each piece in this collection takes on one or two technical challenges without overwhelming, and the titles promise intrigue and character that keeps students invested in the work.

These pieces sparkle with personality and movement. You'll find rollicking rhythms that invite playfulness, lyrical moments that ask for sensitive pedal work, and the genuine satisfaction of navigating a keyboard that suddenly feels larger and more expressive than before. The music never feels mechanical; instead, it makes technical growth feel like musical discovery.

Students at the late elementary to early intermediate level who are developing hand independence and ready to explore more of the keyboard than their previous repertoire required. This book works well for pianists preparing for recitals or competitions and for those who respond to music with distinctive character and personality.

• Map out hand crossings and shifts before playing the piece all the way through; marking these spots in pencil prevents hesitation at tempo.
• Experiment with the pedal changes marked in the score, as each piece uses sustain strategically to create the mood suggested by its title.
• Practice passages where accidentals appear at tempo separate from the hands that hold the harmonic foundation; bringing them in together later builds security.
• Record yourself playing through and listen back for articulation consistency, especially when pieces ask for mixed staccato and legato in close proximity.

Select individual pieces from the collection for student recitals, where each title's narrative quality makes for engaging program notes and audience connection. The pieces also work as supplementary material within a lesson sequence designed to strengthen hand independence and pedal awareness without requiring students to move to an entirely new method or graded series.

• Hand-over-hand crossing and keyboard navigation
• Reading accidentals and harmonic intervals
• Coordinating pedal changes with harmonic shifts
• Mixing articulation styles (staccato, legato, accent) within the same phrase
• Building independence between hands playing different rhythmic patterns
• Sustaining technical focus while attending to musical character and mood