About the piece
“Reflections” is an early-intermediate piano work by American composer Dennis Alexander, published by Alfred Music. Alexander is widely recognized for his pedagogical repertoire, which blends accessibility with expressive, lyrical writing—making his pieces favorites among teachers and students alike.
This piece focuses on musical expression rather than technical fireworks. It explores:
- lyrical, singing phrasing
- dynamic shaping and control
- sensitive and intentional pedal work
- balance between melody and accompaniment
Reflections was also included in the Royal Conservatory of Music’s 2015 Celebration Series (Level 4, List C), reinforcing its place as a valuable piece in modern piano pedagogy.
My Practice Notes
After a little over a year studying entirely on my own with method books, I felt I needed more personalized guidance. So I began online lessons with a private teacher — and Reflections was the very first piece assigned to me.
From the start, I found it beautiful and enjoyable to play. The reading itself wasn’t the challenge; the real work came from trying to shape the sound the way the music deserved. This piece exposed several gaps in my musical maturity:
- keeping the melody forward without overpowering the accompaniment
- crafting dynamics that felt organic instead of mechanical
- coordinating pedaling so it enhanced the phrasing rather than blurring everything
The biggest challenge was dynamic control. Even slight changes in volume dramatically transformed the character of the piece, and I spent a lot of time experimenting with touch, balance, and pedal timing to make the lines feel connected and expressive.
Working on Reflections also reminded me of some of the challenges I faced when studying the Clementi Sonatina in C Major (Op. 36 No. 1) earlier in my journey. Although the technical demands are quite different, both pieces pushed me to develop better control of phrasing and clarity between melody and accompaniment. The lessons I learned from the Clementi definitely helped me approach this piece with a more refined musical mindset.
After a few weeks of practice, I reached a point where the performance felt meaningful for my current level. It’s not perfect — and I don’t expect perfection — but it represents an important step forward in developing musical nuance. I’ll very likely revisit it in the future with more refined ears and a stronger technical base.
🎹 Gear Used
- Piano: Casio Celviano AP-270
- Sound: MIDI rendered with Pianoteq U4 Tall
Final Thoughts
Studying Reflections early in my journey with a private teacher was a great decision. It pulled me away from a strictly technical mindset and pushed me to think more about musical color, atmosphere, and intention.
If you’re also an adult learning piano, have you studied any pieces by Dennis Alexander?
How was your experience with them? I’d love to hear about your progress.
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