Grand Melody 2

Melody Bober's Grand Solos for Piano Book 2 continues her great series.  These truly are great solos. They are not terribly complex, because they are intended for the elementary pianist.  As noted on the cover page, Melody has composed these unique and fun pieces "in a variety of keys, styles, meters and tempos, offering students a great learning experience as well as helping them progress technically and musically.  In addition, several pieces include an optional duet accompaniment for teacher, parents or other family members to share in the fun."

Solos in this book:

Bugle Call

The Clock Tower

Give Me A Clue 

Kangaroo Kick-Box

Night Wind - optional duet

Ridin' the Texas Trail - optional duet

Sunnyside Waltz - optional duet

Sneaky Sam

Snow Castle Waltz

Watching the Stars - optional duet

You can probably tell, just from reading the titles, that there are several pieces that fit specific themes or occasions.  Ms. Bober does not disappoint.  Kangaroo Kick-Box is a fun, fast piece utilizing a combination of legato and staccato.  Bugle Call definitely begins with a reminder of Reveille, while Give Me A Clue and Sneaky Sam are perfectly mysterious for Halloween or a detective theme.  Night Wind is a lovely minor piece that flows, and Ridin' the Texas Trail gives one the feeling of being in the Old West.

Concepts Covered:

Time Signature: 4/4, 3/4

Key: C, D (written as a key signature, and with accidentals), c minor (written using accidentals, not key signature), a minor, d minor, G, g minor, 

Note Values: eighth, quarter, half, dotted half, whole, 

Intervals: blocked triads, seconds, thirds, 3-note clusters, 

Rest Values: quarter, half, whole

Dynamics: ff, f, mf, mp, p, crescendo, diminuendo

Other concepts: staccato, accent, tie, slur, accidentals, one hand crossing over the other, molto rit., gliss, pedal, 8va, D.C. al Fine, cresc. poco a poco, fermata, grace note, 2 crossing over 1, D. C. al Coda, Coda

The hands are in several positions throughout the book, due to the several keys the solos are written in. However, there are few moves, and those that exist are clearly marked.  Most of the time movement is by octave.  Most often, the melody is shared between the hands and there are only a few times both hands play together.  Four of the solos have optional teacher duet accompaniment.  You can look inside here.  

This is available at Sheet Music Plus for 6.99.