Don't Start Now Sheet Music Preview

Don't Start Now: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

As performed by Dua Lipa

Item: 35-DS00460692

Digital Download
$3.99
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 2
SKU: 35-DS00460692

More about this title

About the Artist: Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa emerged as one of the defining pop voices of the 2010s and 2020s, building her reputation on meticulously crafted pop songs that balance accessibility with production sophistication. Her work demonstrates the structural clarity and melodic directness that make contemporary pop effective both on the charts and in educational settings.

As a songwriter and performer, Lipa collaborates with top producers and writers to create music that teaches students about modern songwriting conventions, production aesthetics, and how pop songs function across different contexts. Her catalog offers a window into current industry standards for arrangement, harmony, and groove-based composition.

Why we love this

This lead sheet captures a track built on infectious groove and straightforward harmonic movement, making it ideal for pianists who need accessible repertoire that still sounds contemporary and engaging. The two-page format respects the song's proportions without requiring students to manage unwieldy charts, and the melodic writing translates cleanly to keyboard without sacrificing the song's essential character.

What to expect

Propulsive and modern, built on a grid of tight rhythmic precision and understated harmonic sophistication. The song maintains momentum through repetition and groove rather than dramatic melodic leaps, creating a sense of forward motion that feels both danceable and controlled.

Who it's for

Pianists and keyboardists working in contemporary pop ensembles, small jazz combos, or student-led performance groups. Vocalists preparing for solo performances or auditions who need a reliable keyboard chart that respects the original arrangement.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock into the groove from the first note; this song thrives on rhythmic precision rather than rubato or expressive timing variations
  • Clarify the left hand comping pattern early in rehearsal since the keyboard foundation directly affects how singers feel the pocket
  • Pay attention to dynamic contrast between the verse and chorus, letting the arrangement breathe rather than maintaining consistent volume throughout
  • If adding accompaniment, resist over-orchestrating; the beauty of the original lies in its lean, focused production aesthetic

How to use it

Perfect for a pop or contemporary music showcase where you want a song that lands firmly in students' musical vernacular. The compact chart works well as a showcase piece for a keyboard player paired with a vocalist, or as part of a set of current pop standards in a jazz or contemporary ensemble concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and maintaining steady groove in a syncopated pop context
  • Understanding contemporary song forms (verse, pre-chorus, chorus structures)
  • Comping and harmonic accompaniment on keyboard in a pop idiom
  • Balancing melody and rhythm section support
  • Interpreting minimalist lead sheets into full performance ideas

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