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The Alan & Marilyn Bergman Songbook: Piano/Vocal/Chords Book

$29.99 USD

The Alan & Marilyn Bergman Songbook: Piano/Vocal/Chords Book

Name: The Alan & Marilyn Bergman Songbook: Piano/Vocal/Chords Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-VF1706
Price: 29.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The Way We Were / The Windmills of Your Mind / How Do You Keep the Music Playing?

Alan and Marilyn Bergman

Item: 00-VF1706

$29.99

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Alone in the World * Fifty Percent * The Girl Who Used to Be Me * I Believe in Love * In the Heat of the Night * Like a Lover * One Day * A Piece of Sky * That Face * What Matters Most * Where Is It Written? * Yellow Bird * You Don't Bring Me Flowers and more.

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Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 180

ISBN10: 0-7692-0209-8

ISBN13: 978-0-7692-0209-9

UPC: 723188617067

SKU: 00-VF1706

More about this title

About the Composer: Alan Bergman

Alan Bergman and his wife Marilyn were among the most prolific and celebrated songwriting partnerships in American popular music. Working together from the 1950s through the 2000s, they crafted sophisticated melodies and emotionally intelligent lyrics for film, television, and stage. Their output shaped the sound of mid-century American songwriting, with their work recorded by everyone from Barbra Streisand to Frank Sinatra.

For music educators, the Bergmans represent a masterclass in melodic storytelling and harmonic elegance. Their songs reward close study: the melodies sit naturally for singers, the chord progressions support teaching concepts in jazz harmony and voice leading, and the lyrical content gives students meaningful text to interpret.

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Why we love this

This collection captures some of the best writing in American popular song, with the depth and sophistication your students should know. The harmonic language teaches real voice leading and chord substitutions without feeling academic, while the melodies invite both simplicity and nuance from singers.

What to expect

Sophisticated and warm. These songs settle into you, they don't rush or demand attention but reward your investment with clever harmonic turns and melodies that stay with you. The collection has the polish of a mid-century nightclub or film score, with the emotional intelligence to make even comedic numbers feel genuine.

Who it's for

Singers developing their standards repertoire, jazz pianists expanding their comping vocabulary, and voice students who need material that demonstrates how strong songwriting can make a singer's job easier. Piano teachers will find this valuable for students ready to explore the harmonic language of American popular song.

How to get the most out of it

Study the chord changes before focusing on the melody; these songs are built on smart progressions that shape the melodic contour.
Let the lyrics drive phrasing rather than the bar line. The Bergmans wrote conversational, natural vocal lines that often sit across the pulse.
Balance the piano part as an accompaniment, not competition. Most arrangements here are designed to support the vocalist, not overshadow.
Experiment with tempo and rubato in the ballads. These songs breathe, and rushing through them flattens their emotional architecture.

How to use it

Jazz ensembles can draw from this for small-group arrangements or featured vocalist showcases. Cabaret-style programs benefit enormously from this material, and voice students preparing contemporary song recitals will find repertoire that challenges without overwhelming them. Use selections alongside American songbook standards to show continuity and evolution in the genre.