Travelin' Fingers, Book 2: Piano Book

Goldston's deliberate focus on hand position shifts solves a real problem for late elementary pianists: the temptation to stay comfortable within one five-finger pattern. The geographic themes give students something to visualize while their hands travel, making technique feel purposeful rather than abstract. The included "Preparing for Travels" section means you have built-in guidance on how to approach these shifts with your students.

Each piece opens a window onto a different corner of the world through accessible melody and harmonic language. The music feels exploratory and energetic, matching the concept of fingers traveling to new places; nothing feels forced or gymnastic, which keeps students engaged rather than frustrated.

Late elementary pianists who are ready to expand beyond fixed hand positions and need engaging repertoire that builds fluency across the keyboard. Teachers looking for pieces that combine technical growth with cultural exploration will find both elements here.

• Map out the hand position shifts before diving into the full piece. Having students mark where their hands move in pencil prevents the common habit of anchoring the hand unnecessarily.
• Play the accompaniment while a student works through the melody alone first. Separating the layers helps them focus on the shifting mechanics without juggling coordination.
• Record yourself playing the piece at a comfortable tempo and have students listen to it several times before their first attempt. Hearing the musical shape gives context to why the hand positions shift when they do.

Feature these pieces as part of a "Musical Passport" program where students perform solos from different countries, or weave them into a lesson series on world geography paired with social studies. They also work beautifully as recital filler between larger works, since they're substantial enough to hold attention but gentle enough not to overshadow a student's main piece.

• Shifting five-finger positions across the keyboard without anchoring the hand
• Reading melody and accompaniment across multiple registers
• Building hand independence and reducing tension during position changes
• Connecting technical patterns to musical phrasing and shape