Falling Slowly: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection solves a real programming need by gathering 15 songs your ensemble already wants to sing, arranged accessibly for mixed ability levels. The piano voicings stay true to the original recordings that made these songs hits, so students hear familiar arrangements rather than stripped-down versions. With full lyrics, vocal lines, and guitar chords all on one page, it accommodates singers, pianists, and guitarists in a single rehearsal or performance.

Opening this book feels like stepping into a curated set of emotional moments, each one instantly familiar. The arrangements capture what made these songs connect with millions of listeners, from the soaring vulnerability of 'Falling Slowly' to the unstoppable momentum of 'Don't Stop Believin',' creating an experience that's both polished and deeply singable.

This collection works for community choirs, high school vocal ensembles, and private voice students seeking contemporary repertoire with broad appeal. It's equally suited to pianists and guitarists who want accessible arrangements of songs their students and audiences recognize and love.

• Balance the vocal melody against the piano part by checking that singers can hear themselves without oversinging. The arrangements carry rich harmonic detail; lighten your left-hand voicings if the voice gets buried.
• Pay attention to the lyrical arc within each song. Many of these pieces build emotional intensity over their length; use dynamics and tempo flexibility (especially in ballads like 'Bridge over Troubled Water') to shape the narrative.
• If featuring guitarists alongside the piano, rehearse the rhythm section together first. The chord grids provide fingering options, but guitarists should choose voicings that complement rather than double the pianist's harmony.
• Mark breath points clearly in the vocal line during rehearsal, particularly in longer phrases. Songs like 'I Have Nothing' demand stamina; identifying natural phrasing moments helps singers sustain without rushing.

Build a contemporary concert around this collection by pairing several selections to create thematic programming: program the ballads ('I Have Nothing,' 'Make You Feel My Love,' 'The Prayer') in one set and the uptempo anthems in another, interspersing them with contrasting styles from your existing repertoire. These arrangements also work beautifully for showcase performances, benefit concerts, or student recitals where you want to feature soloists with full instrumental support.

• Reading piano voicings that reflect modern pop and rock production
• Singing sustained phrases with dynamic control across extended ranges
• Coordinating vocal melody, piano harmony, and guitar chord symbols in ensemble settings
• Interpreting familiar material freshly while respecting established arrangements
• Managing breath and phrasing in contemporary vocal music