So, I was playing through a "simplified" version of an old song the other day. (At least I thought it was an old song.) I had no previous acquaintance with this song. I was just reading the sheet music. The first line was indeed pretty simple. The melody was played in the right hand and the left hand harmony was played mostly in block chords of sometimes three notes, sometimes just two. There was no attempt at any rhythmic accompanimental patterns to help me place the style period either. By the time I was playing the second line, I concluded that this little song was a type of ballad done in an older style probably from the late 1800's.
But then suddenly out of nowhere, a jazz chord with four notes erupted jarringly from the fabric of the piece. C7#5 is not your usual harmonic choice for a simplified version of any song let alone one from the late 1800's.
But then suddenly out of nowhere, a jazz chord with four notes erupted jarringly from the fabric of the piece. C7#5 is not your usual harmonic choice for a simplified version of any song let alone one from the late 1800's.
Now I really had a problem deciding how to play this song. Clearly it did not fit in the late 1800's. Sure, the "simplified" nature of the song made it seem like it came from an earlier era, but the composer (or arranger) must have lived in a later time period when jazz chords were becoming more common and acceptable.
Whoever made this "simplified" arrangement did that song no favors.
Making a simplified version of a song can be very tricky. You have to analyze the original material and take away a lot of characteristic elements in order to make it easier to play or sing. Unfortunately, many arrangers who make simplified versions remove too much, or take away the wrong ingredients. This poor song was left with an identity crisis. It didn't have enough elements left to give it any personality whatsoever, except for that one jarring C7#5 chord. Because it was so singular, it just didn't belong!
I really appreciate inspired arrangers who can keep the essential elements of a song while making it easier to play or sing, especially for beginning students. I remember accompanying a Junior High School Chorus once when they sang a simplified version of "Dies Irae" from the Mozart Requiem. I had sung the "Requiem" with full orchestra and choir before and knew first hand its intricacies The simplified version that the Jr. High chorus did was truly remarkable. The right elements were kept and all seemed perfectly suited to young voices with just a piano for accompaniment.
During the year and a half of COVID isolation, I wrote a lot of simplified arrangements of Hymns, Christmas pop songs, Disney songs by Alan Menken, and even Beatles tunes. I sure hope I left the songs with their personalities intact. I played some of the songs for my oldest son and he gave me the perfect compliment. He said, "Mom, I don't hear anything missing."
Enjoy playing these simplified solo and duet arrangements!
Easy Piano Hymn Duets
Easy Piano Christmas Pop Duets
Easy Disney Piano Solos
Easy Beatles Piano Solos
Whoever made this "simplified" arrangement did that song no favors.
Making a simplified version of a song can be very tricky. You have to analyze the original material and take away a lot of characteristic elements in order to make it easier to play or sing. Unfortunately, many arrangers who make simplified versions remove too much, or take away the wrong ingredients. This poor song was left with an identity crisis. It didn't have enough elements left to give it any personality whatsoever, except for that one jarring C7#5 chord. Because it was so singular, it just didn't belong!
I really appreciate inspired arrangers who can keep the essential elements of a song while making it easier to play or sing, especially for beginning students. I remember accompanying a Junior High School Chorus once when they sang a simplified version of "Dies Irae" from the Mozart Requiem. I had sung the "Requiem" with full orchestra and choir before and knew first hand its intricacies The simplified version that the Jr. High chorus did was truly remarkable. The right elements were kept and all seemed perfectly suited to young voices with just a piano for accompaniment.
During the year and a half of COVID isolation, I wrote a lot of simplified arrangements of Hymns, Christmas pop songs, Disney songs by Alan Menken, and even Beatles tunes. I sure hope I left the songs with their personalities intact. I played some of the songs for my oldest son and he gave me the perfect compliment. He said, "Mom, I don't hear anything missing."
Enjoy playing these simplified solo and duet arrangements!
Easy Piano Hymn Duets
Easy Piano Christmas Pop Duets
Easy Disney Piano Solos
Easy Beatles Piano Solos
RSS Feed