Succeeding at the Piano, Recital Book - Grade 2B (2nd Edition): Piano Book

Grade 2B students need recital pieces that feel like real music, not exercises in disguise. Marlais delivers exactly that: blues progressions, folk melodies, and original solos that sit comfortably under the hands while reinforcing hand shifts and keyboard patterns your students are actively learning. The "Practice Steps" embedded in each piece are genuinely useful, not filler.

Playful and purposeful. You move between the gentle swing of a blues tune and the straightforward dignity of a folk melody, then land in something sparkling and original. Everything feels achievable and musical at once.

Grade 2B pianists preparing their first recitals or performance assessments. Teachers using the Succeeding at the Piano method will find these pieces essential; they bridge classroom technique directly into performance context without requiring supplementary materials.

• Treat the blues pieces as opportunities to explore swing feel and syncopation. Have students listen to authentic recordings before rehearsing, even at this level.
• The folk and patriotic tunes often contain repeated sections. Use that repetition to build interpretive choices in the repeat: softer, with pedal, with different articulation.
• Hand shifts appear throughout this book. Before performing, isolate each shift in slow motion to ensure smooth position changes without tension or loss of tempo.
• Classical themes offer a chance to discuss phrasing at the phrase level, not just the measure. Mark the natural breathing points and let students shape accordingly.

Build a recital around these pieces as anchors. A Grade 2B student might perform three contrasting solos from this book, creating a program that showcases both technical progress and stylistic range. These pieces also work well in mixed-level recitals, where they provide a natural stepping stone between Grade 1 and Grade 3 repertoire.

• Hand shifts across the keyboard without lifting or breaking the musical line
• Reading and performing blues progressions and swing rhythms
• Navigating varied time signatures and rhythmic patterns within familiar styles
• Shaping phrasing in classical themes and folk melodies
• Coordinating both hands while maintaining independence in finger work
• Applying dynamic and expressive markings to convey musical character