Surprising Solos, Book 2: Late Elementary/Early Intermediate Piano Book

Rossi builds genuine musical surprise into the fabric of each piece rather than relying on shock value. Late elementary students encounter shifting time signatures and unexpected harmonic turns that train their ears and keep them turning pages, which is exactly what this level needs.

These solos sparkle with the playfulness of discovering something unexpected around a corner. The music balances moments of whimsy with genuine musicality, never talking down to the student while constantly inviting them to listen more carefully to what comes next.

Late elementary and early intermediate pianists ready to move beyond predictable harmonic progressions and steady meters. This book works especially well for students who respond to compositional wit and enjoy pieces that keep them engaged score-in-hand.

• Map out the time signature and dynamic changes before playing through. Students who understand where the shifts arrive can prepare intentionally rather than react with confusion.
• Record yourself playing the piece, then listen without the score. You'll hear which surprises land clearly and which ones need sharper contrast in your interpretation.
• Treat quick-changing dynamics as integral to the musical shape, not as technical hurdles. If a sudden shift from soft to loud happens mid-phrase, let it reshape how you voice the melody.

Use individual solos from this collection for student recitals or informal studio performances where freshness and personality matter more than traditional showpieces. The variety within Book 2 also makes it useful as supplementary material throughout the school year, giving students new repertoire to explore alongside their method book or other lesson materials.

• Reading shifting time signatures within single pieces
• Responding to sudden dynamic changes with appropriate touch and tone
• Navigating unexpected harmonic movement
• Managing quick positional shifts across the keyboard
• Developing interpretive choices in contemporary pedagogical music