July Free Sheet Music: America the Beautiful (2 arrangements)
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Happy Summer Piano Pals! I hope the weather is fair in your part of the world, but if you have been suffering in the heat, I sure hope things cool down for you soon.
If you are American you might be excited to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence this July 4th. To celebrate, I have arranged America the Beautiful for the late intermediate pianist, with lots of gospel and jazz harmonies. I have also included an easier arrangement below, which I originally published in my Upper Hands Piano: BOOK 2 (and my Piano Powered: BOOK 2). America the Beautiful has always been my favorite American patriotic song, not being a fan of the "bombs bursting in air" in our national anthem. I hope that you feel the chords I chose for my intermediate arrangement amply express deep love for our country: her beauty, her power and her vulnerability.
Click to print:
Download the easier arrangement here:
Here I demonstrate America the Beautiful, intermediate:
Let us know which arrangement you prefer, and if you are enjoying playing America the Beautiful this month! Will you be watching fireworks on the 4th? In my hometown there will be a drone light show, which is always kind of fun, and a little odd too. Do you have any special July 4th traditions? We love having friends over for dinner and our daughters always like to make red and blue desserts with whipped cream to top it off in spirit!
Here's hoping we all make it to our benches this summer. Hopefully we'll have a bit more leisure time to make some progress on our current songs and exercises, or to enjoy playing songs from our repertoire.
Have a beautiful July friends, and don't forget to express gratitude for all the good in your life. That's the best way to feel good and preserve our mental health!
With love and music, Gaili
P.S. If you are new to this blog, welcome! I post free sheet music every month, arranged for beginning to intermediate piano students, plus worksheets, practice tips and information on music and the brain. I have written piano instruction books for older adults (UpperHandsPiano.com), younger adults and teens (called Piano Powered), Songs of the Seasons piano sheet music books for seasonal classical and popular favorites, and my latest piano/guitar/vocals books called The Music Remedy: sheet music collections to restore and revitalize the spirit.
In her review of my Upper Hands Piano BOOK 1 for Clavier Companion, The Piano Magazine, Susan Geffen writes: “Upper Hands Piano, Gaili Schoen’s comprehensive method for adults over fifty, is so good and so original that it’s difficult to know where to begin. With the expert selection of repertoire? Or perhaps with Schoen’s emphasis on the mental benefits of playing the piano? Or maybe with her friendly, encouraging tone? And certainly her well-considered approach to harmony is worth mention.”
I hope you will check out my books on the links above as book sales support this blog and make my giveaways possible. Thanks so much for your support!
Wow, I had no idea July's free sheet music could be this intricate and multifaceted. Your arrangements of "America the Beautiful" are truly something special, and this take has quickly become my top recommendation for anyone looking for accessible yet engaging pieces. It's fascinating how my own perspective on this classic has shifted recently, especially after diving into your analysis https://www.auspayplus.com.au/ You've really hit the nail on the head with your points; it's all so right on point. I especially appreciate the depth you've brought to the discussion, and it's clear you put a tremendous amount of work into this post, so kudos to you for that effort. Adding to that, I feel the community aspect of sharing and learning…
This is such a fantastic resource, I'm definitely gonna pass this along with my team at the community center! The insights you've shared regarding the July sheet arrangements are really nice and so practical. My experience with learning music has often felt like a race to master the notes, but you've highlighted something crucial here. The mindset component of approaching music, especially with something as iconic as "America the Beautiful," is just as important as the technical method https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/finance/household-expenditure-survey/latest-release It's about the feeling and the story, not just the key signatures. This really resonates with me because I remember struggling with a particular piece, feeling frustrated that I wasn't progressing fast enough. It wasn't until I started focusing on the…
This post on the July sheet music arrangements truly resonated with me. I actually started looking into this particular piece because of a small error I made on a previous project, and I was so relieved to find such clear explanations. You absolutely nailed it with the way you presented the nuances between the theoretical aspects of the music and how it translates into actual performance; that distinction is crucial for any musician. It makes me wonder how accessible these kinds of detailed analyses are for individuals who aren't deeply entrenched in music theory https://oma.org.au/ The writing itself is incredibly engaging, which is a huge plus. It’s genuinely valuable work, and I really appreciate you sharing these resources. I can't…