In honor of the upcoming solar eclipse, I have arranged Some Sunny Day, by the great songwriter Irving Berlin. I love this song for its positive message of hope and brighter days ahead. Some Sunny Day is from the movie Alexander's Ragtime Band, and has been recorded by The Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby. You can print my early intermediate arrangement here:
Here is my demonstration video. I am playing the song slowly to help you learn it, but feel free to speed it up once you know the notes. Watch the tricky rhythm at 0:39 for the lyrics, "Then go back to the hay and lay me my breakfast."
Advanced pianists you can print the original sheet music here (print pages 3-5). Notice that the original sheet music includes both the verses and the more popular chorus. It's great to play both, but singers tend to sing just the chorus on these older songs. Here's a demonstration of the original sheet music.
Will you be viewing the solar eclipse on Monday? In my part of the world we will get just a partial eclipse, but I'm still excited to see it.
Did you know that I offer a series of free piano lesson videos that follow along, page by page, my Upper Hands Piano, BOOK 1 on a platform called Sixty and Me? I am currently recording my 33rd lesson, and will continue posting through the end of the book. You can join the lessons anytime and go at your own pace. I introduce and demonstrate every song and exercise in the book and offer lots of effective practice tips along the way. You would need to purchase my Upper Hands Piano: BOOK 1, but all of the lessons are free. If you know an older adult who might like to take my free piano lessons, please send them to these first lessons on my Sixty and Me page to give it a try.
Some Sunny Day was originally printed in my Songs of the Seasons: SUMMER book. My Songs of the Seasons books are arranged for beginner to early intermediate.
My latest series is called The Music Remedy. The Music Remedy is a collection of beautiful, melodic songs and pieces for intermediate Piano/Guitar/Vocals that use the healing power of music to help restore your emotional balance.
I have lots of other books as well, but I will tell you more about them another time. For now, I hope you enjoy playing Some Sunny Day, and enjoy the warming days and increasing sunshine of Spring! With love and music, Gaili