Print ISBN: 978-1-70515-640-7
ePub ISBN: 978-1-70517-250-6
Kindle ISBN: 978-1-70517-249-0
For all works contained herein:
Unauthorized copying, arranging, adapting, recording, Internet posting, public performance,
or other distribution of music in this publication is an infringement of copyright.
Infringers are liable under the law.
Visit Hal Leonard Online at
www.halleonard.com
World headquarters, contact:
Hal Leonard
7777 W. Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53213
In Europe, contact:
Hal Leonard Europe Limited
42 Wigmore Street
Marylebone, London, W1U 2RN
In Australia, contact:
Hal Leonard Australia Pty. Ltd.
4 Lentara Court
Cheltenham, Victoria, 3192 Australia
Contents
Song Notes
A - You're Adorable
This adjective-filled alphabet song from the late 1940s has been sung by many artists and celebrities over the years, including Perry Como, Captain Picard of Star Trek fame, and the Muppets! You'll want to "swing" the eighth notes in the melody as indicated by this sign ( HD = W ) next to the tempo. Instead of straight eighths, play the eighth (graphic here) notes with a swinging, long-short feel for just the right amount of bouncy jazz.
Beautiful Day
Sung by the band U2, this 2001 GRAMMY' Song of the Year has an upbeat feel and a positive message. The group's lead singer Bono has said the song is about finding joy.The lyrics fall naturally in the syncopated melody, so singing along can help you learn this song. Notice that when both hands play at the same time they often play the same rhythm.The opening bars repeat throughout; noticing this is also a key to putting the song together. Let's get right to it because "'it's a beautiful day, don't let it get away.'"
Better When I'm Dancing
Meghan Trainor wrote and performed this peppy dance tune in 2015 for The Peanuts Movie . Use the lyrics to build your confidence with the dotted eighth-sixteenth-note rhythm throughout this song. You'll see this rhythm in both left hand and right hand. Start with the left hand in bar 5. Set a strong quarter-note pulse and count "1-ee-and-a," playing on beat one, and again on the "a," the fourth of the four sixteenths. Go ahead and accent that last sixteenth tied into the next beat. Now, study the right-hand rhythm in bar 8. Once you're comfortable with this rhythm the rest of the song is a breeze!
Brave
Written and performed by Sara Bareilles, this inspiring pop hit made the Top 40 in 2013. Choose a moderate tempo, keeping the groove going while allowing the lyrics to shine. This song reminds us to be who we are and speak with confidence. The chord progression C-Am-F-G repeats throughout, making this an easy song to learn. The left hand plays single notes, allowing you to focus on the rhythm of the melody. Sing along! Be brave!
Can't Stop the Feeling!
Justin Timberlake wrote this funky disco-pop tune for the 2016 Trolls movie soundtrack. Set an energetic tempo right from the beginning. The harmony is built on a simple chord progression (C-Am7-F-Am7) but sometimes the F chord in the progression is an Fmaj9 (see bar 3) which is an F chord (F-A-C) with an added G. Notice the sound when playing F and G together. Other times, the F chord is an Fmaj7, (see bar 7) which is an F chord with an added E. Here again is another colorful sound, F and E played together. Don't shy away from the dissonance this creates and have fun with the changing harmonies.
Cupid Shuffle
Performed by the rapper Cupid, this 2007 hit generated a popular line dance. You'll notice that the left-hand part provides an easy but essential bass line to this repetitive melody. If you're playing for the dancers, keep a steady but bouncy tempo with enough energy to keep things moving. If you're dancing, just follow the directions in the song's lyrics,"to the right, to the right," "to the left, to the left," and so on. Go on now, get "down, down, do your dance."
Firework
Katy Perry's inspirational lyrics and dance pop vibe helped this 2010 song rise to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.The left-hand part really drives this arrangement, and for the first half of the song you'll be playing 5ths. What makes this easy is that the 5ths stay close together on the keyboard. Notice the bass notes fall into this pattern: C-B E -A-F. Practice those four bars until they are easy to play. At the sign d left hand changes to repeated eighth notes, and the pattern changes slightly as well: C-D-A-F. Once you've learned left hand, add right-hand melody, and don't forget to sing along!
Happy
This catchy and multiple award-winning tune was written by Pharrell Williams. As the one and only song on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, it also has the distinction of being the most successful song of 2014. Have fun with the jaunty bass line beginning in bars 4-5. This little riff appears three times in a row, creating an up-tempo soul feel. Enjoy the challenge of playing two parts at the same time beginning with the pickup to bar 18, "Because I'm happy," followed by "Clap along" Play each part separately and you'll notice it's quite simple.Take an extra bit of effort to get the timing just right, counting eighth notes through the bar. For even more challenge, sing the right-hand part as you play both parts, then switch, and sing the left-hand part!
I Love
Sometimes called the "little baby duck song" because of the opening lyric, this 1973 favorite by Tom T. Hall includes something for everyone to love. The simple, gentle melody is harmonized with just three chords, so you'll have this country tune under your fingers in no time. Check out the "walking" bass line beginning in bar 12. Starting with left-hand C, the bass notes "walk" down the scale: B E in the next measure, A in the next, down to G. Play this classic for someone you love.
Next page