Just Friends: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures the breadth of DeGraw's songwriting across a formative period in his career, offering pianists and guitarists a chance to explore how a single artist develops his voice through four albums. The inclusion of previously unpublished material from Free and Sweeter makes this a valuable resource for devoted students and a gateway for those discovering why his work resonates with performers who value expressive, harmonically interesting pop-rock songwriting.

These songs balance pop accessibility with genuine emotional vulnerability. You'll find yourself navigating introspective lyrics paired with grooves and arrangements that feel both polished and deeply personal, creating performances that connect with listeners who value honesty in contemporary music.

This book serves pianists and guitarists who want to perform contemporary songs with harmonic depth and emotional weight. It's equally valuable for vocalists seeking repertoire that sits comfortably in the contemporary pop-rock idiom while offering substantial material to work with.

• Pay attention to the chord voicings provided; DeGraw's arrangements often favor jazz-influenced extensions and substitutions that shape the emotional tone. Explore how small changes in voice leading affect phrasing and lyrical intent.
• Balance the melody line with accompaniment texture. Many of these songs benefit from a conversational approach where the piano or guitar supports the vocal storytelling rather than overwhelming it.
• Use the vocal melody as your guide to phrasing and breath placement, even if you're accompanying. This grounds the instrumental part in the natural rhythm of speech and song.

Solo recitalists can build entire programs around DeGraw's work, or select individual songs to program alongside other contemporary singer-songwriters. Classroom settings benefit from using these pieces as models for analyzing how modern songwriting balances melody, harmony, and lyrical storytelling.

• Reading and interpreting jazz-influenced chord extensions in contemporary pop-rock contexts
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in solo piano or guitar arrangements
• Understanding how chord progression choices enhance emotional expression
• Sight-reading lead sheets with vocal melody and guitar chord symbols
• Performing with stylistic authenticity across soul, rock, and pop-influenced material