Hi Piano Pals
I’ve been wanting to arrange the George Gershwin fav ‘S Wonderful since it came into the public domain this year. So many great singers have recorded it but my favorite is João Gilberto‘s beautiful, sexy performance that was featured in the film Eat, Pray, Love. You might notice that Gilberto sings the melody “in front of the beat,” meaning that he often sings the lyrics too soon. But his band keeps the beat and he never gets too far ahead. While you might not be lucky enough to have a band playing a percussive accompaniment, you can play the melody and chords on piano, and even sing the lyrics! This is an intermediate arrangement:
Print: ‘S Wonderful (intermediate)
The intermediate arrangement will only be available for one year (through July 2024) so print today!
If the chords feel too complicated to play, download my simplified arrangement:
I hope you are managing to stay cool and hydrated if you are in a searing hot climate right now. I suggest that you get in the habit of keeping a water bottle or spill-proof flask near (not on) your piano/keyboard and take sips regularly as you play. I have several students who were taken to the emergency room because of dehydration (and it wasn’t even summer); dehydration is very dangerous, and easily preventable, so drink up! (Sorry, not alcohol, which is dehydrating.)
How is your summer going? What are you playing this month? We want to hear all about it!
Stay cool and be well, with love and music, Gaili
P.S. If you are new to this blog, welcome! I am a veteran piano teacher of 36 years! I post free sheet music every month, arranged for beginning to intermediate piano students, plus posts and worksheets to motivate and inform. I have written piano instruction books for older adults (UpperHandsPiano.com), younger adults and teens (PianoPowered.com), Songs of the Seasons piano sheet music books for seasonal classical and popular favorites, and my latest piano/guitar/vocals books called The Music Remedy – sheet music collections to restore and revitalize the spirit. Check out my books on the websites above, or click below to view them on Amazon.com.
I wanted to follow this blog but cannot find the follow button. It’s a wonderful resource. Thank you
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for pointing this out! I seem to have lost the subscription form I had on my home page! I am taking steps to bring the widget back but am having some trouble with it. I will add you as a subscriber and you will have to approve it by email. Thanks Ninette!
I, too, am having trouble receiving your monthly emails despite being a long time subscriber. The last email I received was in April. Please re-add me as a subscriber if possible. Thanks Gaili.
Hi Kathy, I have added you and will send you your new password at your email. So sorry for your trouble! That’s so annoying to me, so many people (including my mother) no longer receive my blog posts 🙁
Hopefully you’re going to get them moving forward. Best, Gaili
Hi, I’ve just started following your lessons on sixtyandme.
Thanks for the sheet music, and a pathway to my newest challenge. I’m not sixty yet, but have been very ill recently so my whole life has been turned upside down. It’s lovely to have an approach to piano through your books that is aimed at adults, and ‘little nibbles’ of practice, instead of hours at a time.
I am a particular fan of your easy/easier arrangements. I find it so much simpler to practice when I know what the piece should sound like and can sing along.
Hi Alice!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the Sixty and Me lessons! I have faced serious health challenges myself, so I understand how you feel. I think little nibbles of practice time is a great way to approach your piano right now. I do the same with my French lessons. And yes I will try to always provide videos for my piano arrangements to help people learn to play with their ear as well as by reading notes. Please reach out anytime with questions or concerns!