Free: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures DeGraw's early catalog at a turning point in his discography, giving pianists and guitarists access to songs that balance immediate appeal with real compositional substance. The inclusion of previously unavailable tracks from Free and Sweeter makes this an essential resource for students who want to explore his harmonic language and melodic sensibility across a full span of his work.

These songs capture a particular emotional immediacy: introspective moments that open into radio-ready hooks, tender confessions wrapped in confident arrangements, and the kind of earnest vocal melody that makes you believe every word. The musical language sits comfortably between pop accessibility and genuine harmonic sophistication, never overselling the emotion but never holding back either.

This songbook serves singers and instrumentalists who connect with DeGraw's pop-rock style and want accurate sheet music for performance or study. Whether you're preparing repertoire for a voice lesson, learning arrangements for a band or duo, or simply expanding your working knowledge of contemporary songwriting, this collection offers material that rewards repeated playing.

• Examine the chord voicings carefully; DeGraw's piano arrangements often favor open, ringing sonorities that benefit from intentional pedal work and space between notes rather than dense block chords.
• When playing melody and comping simultaneously, prioritize the vocal line's expressiveness and adjust accompaniment dynamics to support rather than compete with it.
• Study the original recordings to hear how rhythm section interplay drives momentum; if you're performing solo, use articulation and subtle tempo rubato to create similar forward motion.
• Guitar players: these arrangements work well fingerstyle, which allows you to voice chords more openly and gives singers room to shape their phrasing.

Program individual songs as solo features in recitals or benefit concerts where contemporary pop-rock repertoire enhances rather than dominates the set. For lesson studios, use this collection as a bridge between classical technique and commercial repertoire, pairing pieces from it with art songs or classical selections to show students how similar musical skills apply across genres.

• Reading lead sheets with piano voicings and chord symbols
• Coordinating vocal phrasing with piano accompaniment
• Interpreting slash chords and seventh chord extensions
• Balancing melody presentation with harmonic comping
• Adapting arrangements between piano and guitar voicings