Free Halloween Piano Music

Happy Halloween!

This is the piano theme from the soundtrack for the movie "Halloween" by John Carpenter. The director/co-writer is also the composer of a great soundtrack for this great film.

Halloween Theme Piano Cover - Sheet music

Great piano playing by pianolion! He offers free sheet music to the song here.

 What's happening in this song that produces this eery sound? Probably Augmented chords.




 F#F#/ C#, F#, F#, C#, F#, F#, C#, F#, D, F#...


 Here's a selection of sites that offer special songs for this holiday.


 Halloween Songs for Beginners

 HalloweenFreebies

 Halloween Music

 Halloween Sheet Music for Spooky Songs

 Free Halloween Piano Music

 Free Virtual Sheet Music

Free Sheet Music-Yoke Wong

 Additional Resource:

 http://ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-play-minor-third.html

http://ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2010/03/augmented-and-diminished-chords.html

Have a fun and safe Halloween!


-- LadyD


"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Learn To Play Trading My Sorrows

Image via WikipediaHave you ever had a bad day? Has something got you down? Sometimes just singing and playing your instrument can lift your spirit. Again this week, so many requests kept pouring in from you, dear readers. Many have asked me for the chords to the song Trading My Sorrows.

Trading My Sorrows Lyrics 

Artist: Darrell Evans
Copyright Credits: 

I'm trading my sorrows I'm trading my shame I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord I'm trading my sickness I'm trading my pain I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord And we sing Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Amen I'm trading my sorrows I'm trading my shame I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord I'm trading my sickness I'm trading my pain I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord And we sing Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Amen I'm pressed but not crushed Persecuted not abandoned Struck down but not destroyed I'm blessed beyond the curse For His promise will endure His joy's gonna be my strength Though the sorrows my last for the night His joy comes in the morning I'm trading my sorrows I'm trading my shame I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord I'm trading my sickness I'm trading my pain I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord And we sing Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord Amen  

About Darrell Evans, The Musician 

Darrell Evans is an evangelical Christian musician and songwriter, known primarily for his contributions to contemporary Christian worship. Influenced by the music of Bruce Springsteen and U2, his style of music is noted for its extensive use of free form composition, with several of his songs having been written spontaneously during concerts and worship times. Besides his music writing, he is an accomplished guitar player and singer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrell_Evans_%28musician%29



 Chord Chart in Key of E

INTRO: E A2 C#m7 Bsus4  E A2 C#m7 Bsus4  E A2 C#m7-Bsus4-A2 

E  A2        C#m7  Bsus4
I'm trading my sorrow
E  A2        C#m7  Bsus4
I'm trading my shame
E  A2        C#m7  Bsus4                 E   A2   C#m7   Bsus4
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord
E  A2         C#m7  Bsus4
I'm trading my sickness
E  A2         C#m7  Bsus4
I'm trading my pain
E  A2         C#m7  Bsus4                E   A2   C#m7   Bsus4
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
       E       A2        C#m7  Bsus4
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
E       A2        C#m7  Bsus4
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
E       A2        C#m7  Bsus4    E   A2   C#m7   Bsus4
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

      E            A2            C#m7     Bsus4
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
E      A2               C#m7  Bsus4
Struck down but not destroyed
      E           A2                 C#m7      Bsus4
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
       E     A2           C#m7  Bsus4
And His joy's gonna be my strength

Bsus4
Though the sorrow may last for the night
    C#m7                A2
His joy comes with the morning...

Artist: Darrell Evans
Chord Chart Key of G

G   C         Em    D
I'm trading my sorrow
G   C       Em    D/F#
I'm trading my shame
G   C          Em          D           G   C      Em  D/F#
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord
G   C         Em   D
I'm trading my sickness
G   C         Em  D/F#
I'm trading my pain
G   C          Em          D           G   C      Em  D/F#
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
           G       C         Em     D
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
G       C         Em     D/F#
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
G       C         Em     D       G  C      Em  D/F#
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

    G              C            Em         D
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
G       C             Em    D/F#
Struck down but not destroyed
    G                 C            Em            D
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
G        C               Em    D/F#
And his joy's gonna be my strength

D                   
Though the sorrow may last for the night
    G                  C
His joy comes with the morning...

Artist: Darrell Evans

Chord Chart Key of A

A   D         F#m    E
I'm trading my sorrow
A   D         F#m   E/G#
I'm trading my shame
A   D          F#m          E           A   D      F#m  E/G#
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord
A   D         F#m   E
I'm trading my sickness
A   D         F#m  E/G#
I'm trading my pain
A   D          F#m          E           A   D      F#m  E/G#
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
           A       D         F#m     E
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
A       D         F#m     E/G#
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
A       D         F#m     E       A  D      F#m  E/G#
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

    A              D            F#m         E
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
A       D             F#m    E/G#
Struck down but not destroyed
    A                 D             F#m            E
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
A        D               F#m    E/G#
And his joy's gonna be my strength

E                   
Though the sorrow may last for the night
    G                  D
His joy comes with the morning...

For more information visit Darrell's website: http://darrellevans.com/

 Next time, more theory! As always, thanks for stopping by!
-- LadyD



"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

How to Play Amazing Grace: Jazz Style

Image via WikipediaThis past week I have received song requests for Amazing Grace. Whether you play it "bluesy" or "jazzy", the song remains #1 in my book. I've played it many times in church, have heard it with bagpipes at memorial services and especially sung acapella. The harmony is wonderful. 
So, I'll pause for a moment and take a break from the theory sessions on reharmonization and share some chord charts with you on this beautiful hymn.  Learn to play the song, Amazing Grace, no matter what level your piano playing experience may be.

1. Amazing Grace: Beginner Chords

Amazing Grace
by John Newton - Copyright PD, this arr. Russ Reese © 2000
1. A^Dmazing ^D7grace! How ^Gsweet the ^D/Asound
that ^Bmsaved a ^E7wretch like ^A7me!
I ^Donce was ^D7lost, but ^Gnow am ^D/Afound;
was ^Bmblind, but ^Anow I ^Dsee.

2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

6. When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun.

http://4praise.com/cgi-bin/files/chr/91.htm


2. Amazing Grace: Intermediate Chords


You'll find Amazing Grace Chord Chart in the Key of E and Key of G here http://www.guitarmann.com/articles/amazing-grace-chord-chart
 Key of F for Amazing Grace http://www.8notes.com/scores/2765.asp

Amazing grace Sheet Music

 
And you can print the above chords here http://www.jazzguitar.be/amazing_grace.html

3. Amazing Grace: Gospel Chords  


EGC/ C (Cmaj)
EGC/ E
EbGAC/ C (F9)
EGC/ G (Cmaj)
AbCDF/ G (E7 b9#5)
EAC/ C (Amin9)
F#ACE/ E  (D9)
FACE/ G (G13)
CE/ GG (Cmaj)
GCE/ E
EbGAC/ C (F9)
EGC/ G (Cmaj7)
AbCDF/G (E7 b9#5)
EAC/ C (A min9)
GCE/ E (Cmaj/G)
FAD/ D (G9)
EGC/ C (Cmaj)

4. Amazing Grace: Jazz Style

GM7      Bm7          CM7      Am7
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
       GM7     Bm7           Am7  D9
That saved a wretch like me
GM7         Bm7      CM7      Am7
I once was lost but now I�m found
        GM7       Bm7      CM7 � Bm7 � Am7 � GM7 
Was blind but now I see

http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics/cool/a/7990.htm

Amazing Grace- Jazzy Lead Sheet   

G

G/B, D-7, F#-7

G7, B7

C, E-7

G, D-7

(There's more... this is just a tease!)

I'm thinking I should post a video on YouTube playing this style of Amazing Grace.

If you haven't already, please sign up on the MailChimp list for more chords to 

this song and others.

Former Posts You May Like:
Amazing Grace on Black Keys
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
Amazing Grace Chords
Coordinating Left/Right Hand for Amazing Grace
Progressions for Amazing Grace

As always, thanks for stopping by and visiting LadyDpiano.com
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Related articles

• Musical Monday: Amazing Grace (lauramaly.wordpress.com)

How to Add Tritones

So, we've been looking at reharmonization for awhile. Let's continue.



Because the tritone occurs only in the dominant chord, its presence defines a dominant chord. A tritone is a very unstable interval. It sounds as if it wants to go someplace, which is why V chords want very much to resolve (often to a I chord). If you play just the two notes of the tritone, they sound like a V chord, incomplete though the chord may be. What's so unusual about a tritone is that it's the 3rd and 7th of not just one, but two dominant 7th chords.

Example:

G/ BF
Db/ CbF


B and F, the 3rd and the 7th of G7, are the same notes as F and Cb, the 3rd and 7th of Db7. (B and Cb are enharmonic-the same notes, just spelled differently.) Because the tritone (the 3rd and 7th) of both G7 and Db7 is the same, G7 and Db7 can substitute for one another.


Quite often this tritone substitute V chord is preceded by its II chord, creating a II-V progression. 


Here's the II-V-I in C


D/CF
G//BF
C/BE


Here's the same II-V-I, but with Db7, the tritone substitute, replacing G7.


D/CF
Db/CbF
C/BE


Here's Ab-7 preceding Db7


D/CF
Ab/CbGb
Db/CF
C/BE


With Ab-7, Db7, the tritone substitute II-V, replacing D-7, G7:


Ab/CcGb
Db/CbF
C/BE


The 3rd and 7th of a V chord always form the interval of a tritone, no matter which note is on top. Why? Because a tritone is exactly half an octave and if you invert it (put the top note on the bottom, or vice versa) it is still a tritone. The roots of the G7 and Db7 chords are also a tritone apart.


Another reason to play a tritone substitution is that it often makes the melody note more interesting.  There are two reasons for playing tritone substitution on the melody of a tune:


* To create a chromatic bass line
* To make the melody note more interesting


I learned to play tritone substitution in blues. Hoping to cover this in the next post.



I have read the following quote many times and have heard this explanation on Jamal Hartwell's Tritone Xtravaganza  and also you'll find the reference here:
The Tritone

"The Devil’s Interval, they called it when it was banned by the Church in times long past. Then someone realized it’s a really cool interval, and lifted the ban. Or something like that. Six semitones from the root, C-to-F#, this interval is found in a lot of heavier music.
The ascending tritone, otherwise known as the flat fifth (a name that just doesn’t have the same dramatic flair), can be associated with The Simpsons (The Simpsons – I’ve italicized the syllable where the tritone is sung) or Black Sabbath’s Black Sabbath.
Descending, the tritone can be associated with Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze or YYZ by Rush (if you can listen without getting distracted by their odd rhythm and timings)."

Right now Jermaine Griggs is having a sale with free shipping on the 300 pg. course book (that I have been talking about. You know, the theory book) and giving away for free Gospel Keys 101 (great Dvd for harmonizing the melody). You pay $52.00 Click here for more info Sale!


All the best,
LadyD
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Learn Altering Chords

Image via Wikipedia Learning Altered Chords

The main purpose of altering chords is to increase the effectiveness in a progression.



A dominant seventh is more effective than a dominant triad in 2-5-1 and other chord progressions. Also, learn dominant resolution, playing in all keys with the Circle of Fourths.


The following chart shows various combinations of altered chords:

Maj7 (+5) = A major seventh chord with an added raised fifth tone.


7 (-9) A dominant seventh chord with an added lowered ninth tone.

7 (+9)  A dominant seventh chord with an added raised ninth tone.

7 (-5)  A dominant seventh chord with an added lowered one-half step.


9 (+5)  A dominant ninth chord with an added raised fifth tone.


9 (+11) A dominant ninth chord with an added raised eleventh tone.


11 (-9) A dominant eleventh chord with an added lowered ninth tone.


13 (-9) A dominant thirteenth chord with the ninth tone lowered one-half step.


13 (-9 -5) A dominant thirteenth chord with both the ninth and fifth tones lowered one-half step.


13 (+11)   A dominant thirteenth chord with the eleventh tone raised one-half step.


(-9) Add lowered ninth tone.


(-9+5) Add lowered ninth and raised fifth tones.


(-9 -5) Add lowered ninth and fifth tones.


+5 Add raised fifth tone.


+9 Add raised ninth tone.

+11 Add raised eleventh tone.


 If you're looking for a study on chords, I recommend Chords 101 and 102



Using Altered Chords in the 2-5-1 Progression 


It is common to use altered chords  to change the feel of a chord progression. The 2-5-1 progression can be played with minor and major triads, seventh, ninth, eleventh and thirteenth chords.  The 2-5-1 progression can also be played with altered seventh chords.

Here is the 2-5-1 chord progression with major, minor, and dominant seventh chords:

D/ DFAC (Dmin7)
G/ GBDF (G7)
C/ CEGB (Cmaj7)

Here is the 2-5-1 chord progression with just dominant and major seventh chords:

D/ DF#AC (D7-root)
G/ DFGB (G7-2nd)
C/ CEGB  (Cmaj7-root)

What types of chords do you prefer playing with in a ii-V-I chord progression?

If you're looking for more information on altered chords, using the 7-3-6-2-5-1, you might want to invest in this study course book, 300pg Course Book-Techniques and Fundamentals

Learn the secrets to playing piano by ear! 
-- LadyD 
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Reharmonizing V as II-V

Let's continue with reharmonization.



Reharmonizing V as II-V

Many of the standard tunes in the jazz repertoire were written in the 1920s and 1930s. Those tunes consist largely of V-I progressions. II-V and II-V-I progressions were used only by the more sophisticated songwriters of that time. One of the first reharmonization techniques used by the jazz musicians of the 1930s was to proceed a V chord with its II chord to create a II-V progression. Reharmonizing V as II-V  makes a tune sound more modern, and expands the improvisational possibilities.

Here's 2 examples of 2 measures from the song "I Remember You", written by Victor Schertzinger. The V chord (E7) has been proceeded by a II chord (B-7).

F/ AE
E/ G#DE 

Then Play:
F/AE
B/ADE
E/G# 


Tritone Substitution



Reharmonizing can mean replacing one chord with another, or using a substitute chord. A substitute chord is just what it sounds like: a chord that substitutes for the chord written on the lead sheet.

Here's four bars of "All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern. I"ll substitute the A7 for Eb7. 

F/EbAb
Bb/AbDb
Eb/DbG
Ab/CG


Then Play:


F/EbAb
Bb/AbDb
A/C#G
Ab/CG


Now Try This:


F/EbAb
Bb/AbDb
E/DG
A/C#G
Ab/CG


Listen for the chord progression and tell me, does  it sounds smoother? More modern? Do you like it? This is the sound of tritone substitution.

Jermaine Griggs has a very nice theory course book that I refer back to many times. He has a section on altering chords that is very good. For more information, visit Playing Altered Chords By Ear.

Here's the II-V-I in the Key of C.

D/CF
G/BF
C/BE


Then hear how the Db7 for G7 creates a chromatic bass line: D, Db, C.


D/CF
Db/CbF
C/BE


Here's how tritone substitution works: As you have learned before, the two most important notes in major, minor, and dominant 7th chords are the 3rd and the 7th. These notes determine the quality of, or differences between those chords. 

Let's review some rules: 


1. A major 7th chord has a major 3rd and a major 7th.
2. A minor 7th chord has a minor 3rd and a minor 7th.
3. A dominant 7th chord has a major 3rd and a minor 7th

Tritone Substitutions

You may be interested in Jamal Hartwell's Tritone Xtravganza Dvd, especially if you like tritone sounds and are an intermediate-advanced player. For more information, visit Tritone


Advanced players, take a look at this advanced reharmonization technique chord chart and video of Thelonius Monk Round Midnight

Here's another great site for reharm practice with midis:
Mallet Jazz
 
Next time, I'll list various combinations of altered chords.

Until then,
-- LadyD


"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Basic Piano Reharmonization

 I just got back from a trip and I am pleased to announce that I have a new granddaughter! I was thinking of the song "Someone to Watch Over Me" and immediately this video came to my mind and the idea to do a series of posts on reharmonization. So, a big thank you to Curtis, George, and Deo for asking me about phat chords and reharmonization... stay tuned in the weeks ahead.



Special announcement... drum roll, please! Here is our princess:

 Basic Reharmonization:



Most jazz pianists tend to play voicings without the root of the chord on the bottom but I will list many examples of simplified piano voicings in root position.



Reharmonizing a tune makes it more interesting. The individual part is very important. The ultimate goal when harmonizing a tune is to make it sound as much like your tune as the original songwriter's.

Reharmonization is a form of compostition. You don't have to reharmonize an entire tune. Sometimes just changing a single chord completely alters the way a tune sounds, and stamps it as your own unique version. You can reharmonize the chords to a tune both ahead of time and in the heat of the moment, while soloing.



Here's the last two bars of "On the Sunny Side of the Street."


D/ CFC
GF/ ABF
CG/ EGC

Let's replace the last chord:



D/ CFC
GF/ ABF
DbAb/ FGC




Reharmonization can take several forms:

* Altering the chords
* Increasing the number of chords
* Decreasing the number of chords
* Substituting a chord (or chords) for the written chord (or chords).


I'll be posting more on altering chords later on in the month. Remember that any chord, whether major, minor, augmented or seventh can be modified or altered thereby changing its character or 'color'.

Next time, Reharmonizing V as II-V


-- LadyD

Someone to watch over me - Piano Reharmonization Chords 

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King