Some People


(The video player has a ‘Full screen’ button to make it bigger)

Click here for the free sheet music

This is a jazz tune in the key of D-minor. There’s one flat in the key signature and the eighth notes should be swung. The intro has a low bass line that descends underneath syncopated right hand chords. The main melody is introduced at measure 9. The left hand triads should be played with a light, staccato touch. We go to the key of G-minor temporarily at measure 25 with tight chords in the right hand and what’s known as a pedal bass. Things continue on in a similar way until measure 49. This last section should have some punch, so play things a little louder here. Starting at measure 52, you should gradually slow things down and fade out.

Port And Starboard


(The video player has a ‘Full screen’ button to make it bigger)

Click here for the sheet music

The left hand  has simple chords for measure 1-17, so focus more on the right hand. Notice how sometimes the left hand chord falls on the same beat as a right hand note, and other times the right hand plays a note a moment before the left hand chord comes in. Pay attention to the accent marks in measure 52-67. The right hand has an accent mark every time the left hand plays a chord so emphasize those beats. Measure 68-71 is the same as before, just up an octave, and everything is played staccato, or short.

Rivalry


(The video player has a ‘Full screen’ button to make it bigger)

Click here for the free sheet music

The opening section consists of a single note bass line and an arpeggiated melody. The left hand is very simple, but the right hand has a lot of movement. Reset the sustain pedal about every two measures to fill out the sound. We get new material at measure 19. The left hand changes to a quarter and eighth rhythm to help give the song some momentum. The right hand has a new melody along with some chords for emphasis. The rest of the song is similar. Everything is moved up an octave in measure 33. Measure 65 to the end is the strongest section with the left hand in octaves on the downbeat of each measure.

Roses Upon The Stage


(The video player has a ‘Full screen’ button to make it bigger)

Click here for the free sheet music

I actually wrote this song a few years ago when I was a student in college. I’ve made a few changes since then to try and improve the song. For the intro, the left hand has a syncopated rhythm against the fast right hand notes. The left hand gets a bit more complicated at measure 17 as the right hand continues with the same melody. Measure 25-30 alternates loud instrumental fills with a melody played in octaves. I’ve never used this idea before so I thought I’d try it out.

Tell Me


(The video player has a ‘Full screen’ button to make it bigger)

Click here for the free sheet music

After the arpeggio intro, the left hand switches to treble clef at measure 9. The right hand has a grace note at the beginning of measure 13. This note should be played immediately before the F#. Measure 25-40 is just like the previous section, but everything has been moved down one octave. Also, the left hand has been changed back to bass clef. The song changes direction at measure 41 and you should make this section louder. Up to this point the sustain pedal has been optional, but you will want to use it for this section to create a full sound.