Praying for Time: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection assembles 35 contemporary pop and rock songs that pianists and vocalists actually want to perform. The mix spans multiple decades and styles, from acoustic folk-influenced pieces like 'Hey There Delilah' and 'Falling Slowly' to upbeat pop hits from Katy Perry and Rihanna, ensuring every student finds material that resonates with them personally. For teachers programming recitals or building student repertoire lists, this folio eliminates the hunt for individual sheet music across dozens of titles.

Flipping through these pages feels like stepping into a cultural snapshot of the late 2000s, with songs that balance infectious pop hooks against moments of genuine vulnerability. Whether you're drawn to uptempo anthems that make you want to move or slower ballads that invite introspection, these pieces carry the emotional directness that makes popular music resonate with listeners and performers alike.

Piano students and vocalists working at the intermediate level who want to explore contemporary popular music beyond classical or traditional standards. This collection also serves teachers building a diverse recital program or teaching students who connect most deeply with songs from their own musical world.

• Study the chord progression voicings closely. Many of these songs use contemporary pop chord structures that differ from classical voice-leading conventions; experimenting with inversions and extensions will reveal the intended harmonic color.
• Balance melody and accompaniment intentionally. Since these pieces span both rock and pop-ballad styles, some require a driving rhythmic pulse from the left hand while others need the accompaniment to recede and support vocal storytelling.
• Consider the original recording's tempo and arrangement as a starting point, not a rule. Students often discover personal interpretations by comparing their instincts to the commercial version, then making deliberate choices about which elements to keep or adapt.
• Attend to lyrical phrasing and emotional arc even when accompanying. Understanding what the vocalist is expressing in each section will guide your dynamic choices and rubato, making the piano part feel like a conversation rather than mere accompaniment.

This folio works beautifully as a recital collection, allowing performers to program a set of songs that tell a story through varying moods and tempos. Many teachers use selections from this book as bridge repertoire for students transitioning from method materials to self-directed song selection, building confidence and independence along the way.

• Reading lead sheets and chord symbols across multiple song styles and key signatures
• Adapting left-hand accompaniment patterns to match the harmonic and rhythmic character of each song
• Interpreting dynamic and emotional nuance in popular song arrangements
• Coordinating vocal phrasing with piano accompaniment in contemporary pop and rock contexts
• Recognizing and performing contemporary harmonic language (seventh chords, suspended chords, modal interchange)