Dancing Shoes: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection gives pianists and guitarists immediate access to songs their students actually want to learn. The mix of tempo and mood across 18 tracks means you can pull repertoire for a variety of classroom moments, from energetic concert selections to reflective practice material.

DeGraw's music carries emotional immediacy without melodrama. These arrangements balance introspection with groove, inviting players to explore both the technical demands of the accompaniment and the conversational weight of the melodies. The collection spans multiple moods, from tender and reflective to propulsive and celebratory.

This book speaks directly to pianists and guitarists who gravitate toward contemporary pop-rock and want to expand their performance repertoire with songs they recognize. It's equally valuable for music students building chord reading skills and musicians preparing recital or classroom performance material.

• Use the chord symbols above the staff to experiment with different voicings on guitar or keyboard; DeGraw's arrangements often benefit from fuller, jazz-influenced harmonies beyond basic triads.
• Pay attention to the vocal melody line even when playing an instrumental arrangement; these melodies are conversational and sometimes asymmetrical, so singing through the progression first helps capture the song's phrasing.
• Balance the independence of left-hand patterns on piano, particularly in uptempo tracks where rhythmic lock matters as much as harmonic accuracy.
• Explore the optional decorative notes and passing tones in the published score; they're often integral to the character rather than elaboration.

Select individual titles for student recitals, ensemble warm-ups, or performance classes where contemporary material engages learners. The range of tempos and styles makes it possible to program contrasting pieces back-to-back or to revisit the same song across multiple seasons as student technique develops.

• Reading lead sheets with piano/vocal/chord notation
• Chord symbol interpretation and voicing choices on keyboard and guitar
• Maintaining rhythmic independence between melody and accompaniment
• Phrasing and interpretation of conversational vocal lines
• Transposing and adapting songs to different keys and instruments