When I See You Smile: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection gives pianists and singers immediate access to over 200 genuinely memorable songs without requiring separate lead sheets or arrangements. The inclusion of chord symbols alongside full piano parts means players can work at their own level, whether reading melody and chords or tackling the complete accompaniment, making it equally useful in private studios, rehearsal rooms, and self-directed practice.

Opening this book feels like stepping into a jukebox of your own musical memory. The songs range from introspective ballads to infectious rock anthems, from 1950s rock and roll energy to contemporary pop sensibility, all bound together by the unmistakable melodic craftsmanship that defines commercial songwriting at its best.

This folio works for piano students preparing audition or recital material, singers building a catalog of songs to perform in jazz or cabaret settings, and music teachers seeking repertoire that engages students by using songs they recognize and enjoy. It's also valuable for accompanyists supporting vocalists in lessons or performances.

• Treat the chord symbols as your foundation. If the full piano part feels overwhelming, simplify by playing the chords in a comfortable voicing and letting the singer carry the arrangement
• Listen to recorded versions of unfamiliar songs before sight-reading. Knowing the harmonic rhythm and melodic contour of even one chorus prevents stumbling through the arrangement
• Mark your tempo in the margin before playing through a piece. Pop and rock songs often sit at specific grooves; locking into the right pace makes the difference between sounding stilted and authentic

Use individual songs from this collection to build recital programs that mix classical or art song repertoire with contemporary material, creating concerts that feel current and personal to your students. Piano teachers can assign songs from the book as technical and interpretive studies, since the variety of styles and accompaniment complexity naturally develops different skill sets.

• Reading chord symbols and realizing them in multiple voicings
• Accompaniment technique for non-classical repertoire
• Maintaining steady tempo in pop/rock grooves
• Balancing melody and accompaniment when playing and singing simultaneously
• Sight-reading within familiar harmonic structures