100 Years of Popular Music '70s, Vol. 1: Piano/Vocal/Chords Book

Groovy, soulful, and unmistakably retro. The 70s brought lush arrangements, memorable hooks, and emotional directness that still resonate today. These songs feel warm and familiar, whether you're encountering them fresh or revisiting childhood favorites.

Pianists and guitarists preparing recitals, students building their popular music repertoire, and music teachers assembling materials for adult singers or jazz combos. Anyone performing or teaching 1970s pop will find this 302-page collection saves hours of chart hunting.

• Reference the chord symbols while reading the vocal melody line to understand harmonic progressions that define the era; many 70s hits lean on relatively simple chord structures that reward solid comping on piano or guitar.
• Balance the vocal line against accompaniment texture. Piano and guitar parts here support the singer without overshadowing the lyric, so resist the urge to play too thick in the verses.
• Use the lead sheet arrangement to transition between the written score and improvised comping in a trio or band setting; the chord symbols make this straightforward for experienced players.

Build a themed concert around the decade, mixing uptempo hits with softer ballads to create dynamic sets. Teachers can assign songs from this collection as performance pieces for intermediate pianists and singers, or guitarists can pull arrangements for coffee house recitals or community performances.

• Reading lead sheets with melody, lyrics, and chord symbols simultaneously
• Accompanying singers in popular music styles with appropriate comping techniques
• Recognizing and performing characteristic grooves and rhythmic patterns of 1970s pop
• Transposing and adapting songs to fit vocal ranges
• Stylistic interpretation of melodies over simple harmonic progressions