Goin' Home: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures eleven essential Rolling Stones tracks in a format that lets pianists and singers explore the band's evolution from early blues-influenced rock through their most iconic compositions. The piano/vocal/chords layout gives performers multiple entry points into these songs, whether you're accompanying a vocalist, interpreting them as solo piano pieces, or using them as starting points for arrangement.

These eleven songs pulse with the raw confidence and sardonic edge that defined The Rolling Stones. Whether it's the slink of 'Under My Thumb,' the soulful yearning of 'Going Home,' or the sharp rhythmic snap of 'Paint It Black,' each track carries a distinct emotional texture that rewards close listening and intentional performance.

This book works for pianists who want to expand beyond classical repertoire into rock and popular music, as well as vocalists who need accompaniment for their own performances or vocal coaching. Intermediate to advanced pianists and singers will find these arrangements accessible while still offering interpretive flexibility.

• Pay close attention to the rhythmic drive underneath the melody. Many of these songs rely on a specific groove rather than strict melodic ornamentation; locking that pocket pays off more than rushing the phrasing.
• Treat the chord voicings as suggestions rather than rules. These songs originated with guitar, and adapting them for your hand size and touch on the keyboard will make them feel natural under your fingers.
• Vary your dynamic approach within verses and choruses rather than treating entire sections as one volume level. The recorded versions often build energy through arrangement layering, which you can replicate with intentional touch control.

Program these individually or in clusters throughout a recital season to connect with audiences who might not typically attend classical concerts. A solo pianist might use one or two as contemporary interludes in a mixed program, while a vocalist could feature several in a jazz or contemporary music recital.

• Reading chord symbols and slash notation in rock/pop context
• Balancing melodic phrasing with rhythmic groove
• Adapting guitar-originated voicings for piano
• Building dynamic shape across longer song forms
• Sight-reading contemporary lead sheets