What a Shame: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection gives keyboardists and singers access to 58 of the most recognizable rock compositions ever written, spanning the Stones' entire career arc. Each arrangement includes chord symbols and vocal lines, making these songs playable across skill levels while preserving their essential character. Performers will find material ranging from acoustic-forward ballads like 'Wild Horses' to the kinetic drive of 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' creating genuine programming versatility within a single volume.

The Stones' songwriting moves between swagger and vulnerability, blues-based grit and surprising melodic sophistication. This collection captures that range: you encounter raw energy, playful wordplay, genuine tenderness, and social commentary all in one volume. Playing through these songs feels like touring their creative evolution across multiple eras.

This book serves keyboardists and singers working in rock, jazz, and popular music contexts. Whether you're preparing for a recital, developing a gigging repertoire, or studying how classic rock songs are constructed, the breadth and variety here supports both learning and performance needs.

• Study the harmonic movement carefully even on simple-sounding tracks. Songs like 'Paint It, Black' and 'Sympathy for the Devil' use chromatic shifts and unexpected chord changes that shift the feel entirely when played carelessly.
• Balance vocal phrasing around the lyrical content rather than the notated rhythm. Jagger's delivery often lags or anticipates the beat intentionally. Let the story drive the timing.
• Use chord voicings as a starting point, not a prescription. Many of these arrangements work best when you adjust inversions and doublings to match the original recordings' texture and energy level.
• Lock the harmonic rhythm to the drummer or bassist if you're in an ensemble context. The Stones' grooves depend on tight coordination between keys and rhythm section.

Organize a rock repertoire recital around thematic connections rather than chronology. Pair ballads like 'Lady Jane' and 'Ruby Tuesday' with more urgent material like 'Street Fighting Man' or '19th Nervous Breakdown' to showcase the band's dynamic range. These songs also work well as set closers or encores in jazz, pop, or contemporary music programs.

• Reading chord charts and realizing voicings in real time
• Adapting vocal phrasing to match lyrical intent rather than metronomic precision
• Understanding blues-based harmonic structures in a rock context
• Coordinating between keyboard and rhythm section to lock grooves
• Analyzing song form and structure across genres