Celine Dion: Taking Chances (Selections): Piano Book

Arrangers Matt Hyzer has distilled Dion's signature vocal melodies into piano arrangements that sit comfortably at the easy level without sacrificing the emotional impact of these songs. Students get immediate gratification playing recognizable music alongside the vocal recordings, which builds confidence and provides clear models for phrasing and musicality.

These pieces capture the warmth and sincerity of Taking Chances, the album that marked Dion's return to recording after a lengthy hiatus. Expect arrangements that prioritize the vocal melody and lyrical quality of the original songs, with accompaniment patterns that are rhythmically straightforward but musically expressive.

Pianists in the early-intermediate range who want to play music that feels current and emotionally resonant without navigating advanced technique. Students preparing for recitals, studio showcases, or simply seeking quality pop arrangements that honor the original performances will find solid material here.

• Let the melody breathe. Dion's vocal style emphasizes sustained notes and space; resist the urge to rush through rests or fill empty measures with excessive accompaniment texture.
• Balance the left hand accompaniment so it supports rather than overshadows the melody. These arrangements use modest chord voicings that give pianists room to shape the top line.
• Record yourself playing along with the vocal recordings. Hearing your part in context reveals where you can push slightly ahead or lay back to match the phrasing you hear on the album.

Integrate these selections into a pop music unit or showcase that celebrates contemporary songwriting and production. The 12-song collection allows you to program one or two pieces across a recital season, or bundle several together for a curated set that demonstrates how piano versions of vocal music require different interpretive choices than the originals.

• Shaping lyrical melodies with appropriate rubato and breath points
• Accompanying oneself while maintaining control of the melodic line
• Reading and performing rhythm patterns common to contemporary pop (syncopation, swing sixteenths)
• Working with chord-based accompaniment structures that support singing or listening
• Matching phrasing and tone to recorded vocal models