Keep On Keeping On: Piano/Vocal/Chords Digital Sheet Music

Keep On Keeping On: Piano/Vocal/Chords Digital Sheet Music

Curtis Mayfield

Item: 00-PS-0005594

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$3.99
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SKU: 00-PS-0005594

More about this title

About the Artist: Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999) was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose influence on soul, funk, and socially conscious pop music shaped American music across five decades. He began as a member of the Impressions, where his falsetto and compositional gifts helped define the sound of 1960s soul, then built a solo career marked by the landmark film soundtrack Pusherman and albums that fused spiritual conviction with rhythmic innovation. His work remains essential listening in any music education program exploring the intersection of popular song, social commentary, and sophisticated harmonic writing.

Why we love this

Mayfield's songwriting rewards both singers and pianists with genuine emotional depth and interesting harmonic movement. The vocal line sits naturally in a comfortable range while offering real character, and the piano/vocal/chords format gives students the flexibility to play comfortably in a recital setting or use it as a starting point for arrangement work.

What to expect

Warm, grounded, and genuinely soulful. The song carries Mayfield's trademark blend of intimate vocal delivery and assured harmonic sensibility, creating an atmosphere that feels both reflective and alive.

Who it's for

This arrangement works for intermediate to advanced pianists who sing, or for singers working with an accompanist in a studio or recital context. It's accessible enough for a high school soloist preparing a contemporary piece but sophisticated enough to engage college-level musicians exploring soul and R&B repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the vocal line clearly without letting the piano accompaniment recede too far; Mayfield's songs work best when melody and harmony support each other equally.
  • Pay attention to the chord voicings in the lead sheet and consider which inversions and extensions serve the song's groove and emotional arc.
  • Use rubato sparingly; these songs have a built-in sense of pocket that comes from steady time and clear phrasing.

How to use it

Program this for a winter or spring recital when you want to shift the mood toward contemporary soul and pop standards. It pairs well alongside jazz standards or other R&B classics and gives voice students a chance to explore a different rhythmic and stylistic world than classical or musical theater repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and interpreting lead-sheet chord symbols
  • Balancing vocal melody with piano accompaniment
  • Stylistic phrasing in soul and R&B idioms
  • Understanding harmonic movement in popular song structures

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