Freestyle! and More Freestyle! Piano Solos.

Freestyle! and More Freestyle! Piano Solos, by Jane Trotter, The Willis Music Company (www.willismusic.com [phone], ext. 26.1), 2006. $6.95.

Freestyle! contains 10 piano solos for early to mid-intermediate students. Composer Jane Trotter states that these pieces will enliven practice sessions and create feelings of freedom and spontaneity.

The level of difficulty progresses from easier to more difficult. This collection is not for the faint of heart, and I refer both to teachers and students. Students need to be good readers and have a fine sense of rhythm to be successful. Pieces contain rhythm patterns and articulation requirements that are challenging to teach.

While a significant level of sophistication is required to play these compositions with ease and beauty, the range of difficulty is not too great for one book. The high-quality compositions include jazz, blues and character pieces in a variety of keys and meters. The sounds contain contemporary harmony and melody, as well as rhythm patterns. Titles are descriptive and enhance the appeal. The composer has clear, comprehensive suggestions for practice of each piece, including articulation, tempo, balance, shaping of phrases, dynamics, interpretation, touch, arm weight and other details.

Uses of this challenging edition include recitals, festivals and sight reading. Playing these fun sounding pieces will improve technical, interpretation and performance skills.

More Freestyle! is an opportunity to revisit the fun of Freestyle! These eight pieces for mid- to later-intermediate students are similar in mood and style to the contents of Freestyle!

Selections progress from easier to difficult, encompass a variety of keys and meters, and come with composer's suggestions for practice. They are challenging pieces that will appeal to intermediate students, build strong musical skills and be appropriate for recitals, festivals and sight reading.--Reviewed by Ouida Thomas, NCTM, Grenada, Mississippi