The Rain: Piano/Vocal/Chords
The Rain: Piano/Vocal/Chords
The Rain Sheet Music Preview

The Rain: Piano/Vocal/Chords

The Swell Season

Item: 00-PS-0012030
Digital Download
$5.99

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Description
The Swell Season, the Oscar-winning duo consisting of Frames frontman Glen Hansard and Czech ingénue Marketa Irglova, have released Strict Joy. The album is the follow-up to their 2007 surprise hit film Once and its gold-certified, Academy-award winning soundtrack. The twelve new, original songs on Strict Joy document a time of great change. This album-matching folio includes four bonus songs from Once and both black & white and color photographs.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 108
SKU: 00-PS-0012030

More about this title

About the Composer: Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard is the frontman of the Irish rock band Frames and one half of The Swell Season, the acoustic duo he formed with Czech pianist and singer Marketa Irglova. His songwriting blends folk sensibilities with emotional directness, drawing from personal experience and social consciousness. Hansard's work gained international recognition through the 2007 film Once, for which The Swell Season won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Why we love this

This folio captures songs from both Strict Joy and Once, giving singers and pianists access to the intimate, character-driven storytelling that defines Hansard's writing. The inclusion of chord symbols makes these pieces accessible to performers working with simple arrangements or accompanying themselves, while the vocal melody and lyrics preserve the emotional specificity that makes these songs resonate.

What to expect

The music carries the quiet intensity of someone sharing something true. Melodies sit close to the speaking voice, and harmonies support rather than embellish the narrative. These are songs built for small rooms and genuine connection.

Who it's for

This folio serves vocalists and pianist-singers who want to perform contemporary singer-songwriter material with substance and emotional weight. It's equally useful for music teachers exploring modern songwriting with students or accompanists building a repertoire of accessible yet artistically rewarding pieces.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lean into the lyrical simplicity. These songs rely on honest phrasing and emotional clarity rather than technical display; let the words and vocal line breathe.
  • Use the chord chart as a guide for accompanying texture rather than a strict requirement. Experiment with minimal voicings that support the singer without overshadowing the melody.
  • Pay attention to dynamics and song structure. Many of Hansard's songs build gradually; resist the urge to fill every moment with full accompaniment from the start.

How to use it

Program a selection of these songs in a contemporary music recital or a mixed-genre concert that pairs classical and modern repertoire. The Once material works particularly well in programs exploring film music or award-winning songwriting; the Strict Joy songs suit showcases of singer-songwriter material or student recitals exploring emotional depth.

Skills your students will build

  • Vocal phrasing and storytelling through contemporary melody
  • Reading and realizing lead-sheet chord symbols
  • Accompaniment texture and dynamic support for vocals
  • Interpreting lyrics to inform musical choices

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