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All Sheet Music Inspirational and Uplifting Rock and Pop Music

You Raise Me Up

Words and music by Brendan Graham and Rolf Loveland; Arranged by Elena Fortin

You Raise Me Up Cover

You Raise Me Up has been covered by many artists, most notably Josh Groban. I decided to arrange this song because it is a favourite of my Mom’s. I dedicate the arrangement to my Mom and Dad because they are the ones that were willing to get me music lessons and supported me during all these years of lessons, practising, and playing!

About the arrangement

This arrangement is written for the early advanced/advanced pianist–it has left hand arpeggios and chords that cover most of the range of the piano, and full chords in the right hand which may be difficult for some people.

The song starts in the key of E flat and modulates to F major near the end. Each repeat of verse and chorus is slightly different. My favourite one is the crashing chords in the right hand near the end–it reminds me of the ocean! I decided to end it with both hands in the treble clef, for a sweet, quieter finish.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – You Raise Me Up

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You Raise Me Up Sheet Music Sample

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Categories
All Sheet Music Rock and Pop Music

When a Man Loves a Woman

Music by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright; Arranged by Elena Fortin

When A Man Loves a Woman Cover

This soulful, longing tune has been performed by many that have taken their versions to #1 on various charts: Percy Sledge, Bette Midler, and Michael Bolton come to mind. I remember hearing Luba putting so much soul into her performance with her distinctive voice.

Percy Sledge’s version is included in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. When I was writing this, I had in mind how wonderful it would be to have this song played as a first dance at a wedding. The dramatic pauses would be perfect for a dramatic dip on the dance floor, don’t you think?! And for some enterprising lover, it would be quite the statement to learn it and play it for your sweetheart!

About the arrangement

My arrangement is made for the Late Intermediate / Early Advanced player: there are right hand runs that stretch out the bluesy harmonies and the left hand uses some of the rich bass on the piano in octaves and full chords. The relaxed 6/8 time is felt in 2 main beats per bar, with crescendos and dramatic pauses to make the song so much more expressive.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – When A Man Loves A Woman

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When A Man Loves a Woman Sheet Music Sample

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All Sheet Music Film Music Rock and Pop Music

Yesterday

Words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Yesterday Cover

This beautiful classic ballad “Yesterday” was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The Beatles brought us so many songs–many which are still relevant and loved today.

I had heard an analysis of this song from someone who was trying to and why it still sounds so fresh so many years later. Normal musical phrases are usually 8 bars long–if you sing the opening of Yesterday to yourself, you’ll see that the first phrase is 7 bars! That means the second phrase occurs before you expect it to be–it keeps you just slightly off balance and wanting to hear more.

About the arrangement

This arrangement is written with the Intermediate / Early Advanced player in mind. The arrangement is lyrical and should always be played with the words and musical phrases in mind. Bring out the melody and play it expressively. There are some challenging rhythms and right hand fills that will be fun for practicing!

The piece is written in 4/4 time in the key of F major. Listen for the melody because sometimes it is hidden inside of melodic fills our under counter melodies.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Yesterday

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Yesterday Sheet Music Sample

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All Sheet Music Christmas and Holiday Music Film Music

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

(from “Meet Me In St. Louis”)

Words and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Cover

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane) is a gem of a Christmas song first written in 1943. It was used in the 1944 film “Meet Me In St. Louis“. Judy Garland introduced this song in a scene where she is comforting a younger sister when they learn they are moving away from their beloved home in St. Louis, just before the highly-anticipated World’s Fair is coming to their doorstep!

A well-beloved holiday favourite, the song has been performed by several different recording artists including Frank Sinatra, Micheal Bublé, Josh Groban, and Sam Smith.

It’s funny that this song turned into a holiday favourite–in the movie, Judy Garland sings it to her little sister (played by Margaret O’Brien) to comfort her because their family is moving to New York City just before the holidays. The song has undergone a few lyric changes since it’s first incarnation–lyrics that were considered to be “depressing” were changed to be more uplifting.

About the arrangement

This arrangement is a nod to classic film–think old style soundtracks with lush orchestrations. I chose to write this song in 12/8 time, so the left hand triplets are accompanying the melody throughout. The triplets give the melody a nice lilt and writing it in 12/8 time instead of 4/4 time with triplets is just easier for editing and hopefully easier to read.

Listen for the surprise change of harmony with a trick chord near the end!

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

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Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Sheet Music Sample

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All Sheet Music Church and Hymn Music Inspirational and Uplifting

Amazing Grace

Traditional; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Amazing Grace Cover

Amazing Grace is a beautiful, traditional hymn with well-known lyrics penned by John Newton. The original hymn was published in 1779, with the words written in 1772!

This piece is one of those songs that can be used for many different reasons. I’ve heard it used in worship services, as a hymn of praise and faith, as celebration of life lived, and as a prayer of thanksgiving.

About the arrangement

This arrangement is for the intermediate player. The arrangement is simple, but should be played expressively. Make the melody sing! Each repetition of the hymn is slightly different: the second repetition uses the harmonic framework/structure but introduces a new invented melody by me. (You can hum the melodic line of Amazing Grace over the top of this second repetition and you’ll see what I mean).

The very last repetition of the verse should be played “allargando” which means slightly slower, and more broadly. Enjoy those left hand octave notes and full chords!

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This piece is in the public domain–this particular arrangement is under copyright by Elena Fortin Music.

Sheet Music Plus – Amazing Grace

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Amazing Grace Cover

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All Sheet Music Inspirational and Uplifting Rock and Pop Music

Fight Song

Words and music by Rachel Platten and Dave Basset; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Fight Song Cover

I have been working on an arrangement project to arrange and post videos of songs that I consider to be important either in the way they touch listeners, in how they are used, or if they have stood the test of time.

“…like a small boat … sending big waves into motion“–Fight Song has been used as a rallying song, a pick-me up song, an inspirational song, and a piece to remind ourselves to be confident. The piece was written by Rachel Platten and Dave Bassett and has become an anthem for any person that is going through a challenge. Whether it is dealing with a physical illness or health challenge, personal trial, loss, or life’s difficulties, this song has been a comfort to many.

The song was recorded in 2014 and won iHeartRadio’s Music Award for Best Lyrics. When I pick songs to arrange, they are often ones that play over and over in my brain. I’ve been working on this one for several weeks. It is a very powerful song about faith and belief.

About the arrangement

My arrangement is for the early advanced player. The arrangement is powerful and starts quite simply but builds and builds into powerful repetitions of the chorus with arpeggios in the left hand and in the right hand. It makes use of the powerful bass end of the piano too! I hope that you enjoy it!

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Fight Song

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Fight Song Sheet Music Sample

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All Sheet Music Children's Music Film Music

Test Drive

(from “How to Train Your Dragon”)

Music by John James Powell and Michael John Mollo; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Test Drive Cover

Composers John James Powell and Michael John Mollo wrote this soaring piece for the soundtrack from the movie “How To Train Your Dragon“. You know the moment when Hiccup is training his new dragon Toothless and they go soaring through the skies for the first time–this is the melody that plays in the background!

I wrote this arrangement for one of my students, Nicole. Whenever we are searching for recital pieces or fun music to learn, we usually turn to animated movies. (Maybe because I have been told by some of my students that my taste in music is old–but I got tired of getting blank stares when I suggest some titles of the music I listen to!) At least we can connect on film music–especially animated film music!

Nicole is the one that suggested this song–I had watched the movie a couple of times, but never really listened closely to the soundtrack, except to know that I liked it. She was my “guinea pig” while I was arranging the song and I am thankful for her suggestions for different parts of the music.

Since publishing it, I had other students ask to learn it–if you want to see one of the students perform it, you can see his video on our online school’s YouTube channel: Coast2Coast Online Music School

About the arrangement

The piece is arranged for Early Intermediate players and will challenge them with fingering passages, chord accompaniment that requires a stretch of an octave, and expressive playing.

The music starts out in the key of C major, in 4/4 time. The left hand has a “drone” accompaniment–it’s a nod to it’s Scottish roots and the bagpipe instrument that plays with bass chords that continue through a lot of the opening of the piece. It eventually modulates to the key of D major (two sharps) in a very exciting bridge.

Try to follow the dynamics to help you play expressively and bring the image of Hiccup and Toothless swooping through the sky, testing their wings for the first time.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Test Drive from “How To Train Your Dragon“

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Test Drive Sheet Music Sample

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All Sheet Music Rock and Pop Music

Dust In The Wind

Words and music by Kerry Livgren; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Dust in the Wind Cover

The group Kansas made a recording of this song by Kerry Livgren. The lyrics refer to how quickly time passes and is a lovely reminder to take each day as it comes and make the most of it.

It is interesting to arrange songs that are mainly pop and rock favourites. They don’t usually feature piano–the version recorded by Kansas is voice, two guitars, and violin! Sometimes this makes it more of a challenge to create a good piano solo out of a piece that is so well known.

About the arrangement

The arrangement is written in 4/4 time with a constant left hand arpeggio bass as a nod to the guitar arrangement. The verse and chorus are repeated three times, each time a little bit differently and written to explore the full range of the piano.

This is written for the intermediate to early-advanced player because there are tricky double note passages and some interesting syncopated rhythms. (Syncopation is a note on a weak beat that is tied over a strong beat that the performer has to feel). There are full four-note chords in some areas and you need a quick left hand to make some of the harmonic changes in time.

Despite being recorded by a rock group–the addition of violins, and the use of guitars makes it surprisingly adaptable to piano.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Dust In The Wind

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Dust In The Wind Sample Sheet Music

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All Sheet Music Church and Hymn Music Rock and Pop Music

Hallelujah

Words and music by Leonard Cohen; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Hallelujah Cover

Leonard Cohen was a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet, and novelist. This beautiful song has been covered by many famous artists over the years–proving that it is a classic song that can be used in so many different ways. It has been used in TV shows, films, as a Christmas piece, for funerals, weddings, worship, and in the midst of tragedies.

This piece almost didn’t get arranged–I played with it for a month or two and set it aside in favour of other arrangements, but brought it out again and finally finished it. I hesitated to upload it–there were already a LOT of arrangements of this piece. But I am so glad that I did eventually share it–it won two awards at SMP Press: as a top seller in the Popular Music Category for 2020, and as runner-up in the Popular Solo Music Category also in 2020. It remains one of my best sellers on Sheet Music Plus.

About the arrangement

The arrangement is written in 6/8 time, with arpeggios in the bass for the most part, and a verse and chorus repeated three times, each time a little bit differently and with a little bit of melodic variation.

The arrangement is intended for intermediate to early advanced players–it has four-note chords, some octave work, and an area where there are challenging bass leaps in the left hand.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Hallelujah

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Hallelujah sample sheet music

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Categories
All Sheet Music Film Music Rock and Pop Music

Let It Be

Words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Let It Be Cover

I went about this arrangement a little backwards–I normally have the copyright permissions arranged before I start working on a song, but I watched the hilarious movie “Yesterday” and this song started going through my head.

For those who haven’t seen it, the premise of the movie is based on what would happen if people woke up one day to a world that didn’t have the Beatles, and only one person–a guitarist remembered all the music and had to educate the world. It was a very interesting idea! I decided to work my way through arranging some of their songs and I am certainly glad to live in a world where the Beatles exist!

After watching the movie, this little arrangement popped into my head and worked its’ magic through my fingers. I finished the arrangement pretty quickly, and THEN decided to look for licensing. Thankfully, that finally got sorted so I could make the sheet music available! Yay!

About the arrangement

The arrangement is written in 4/4 time in the key of C major. The arrangement is very smooth and flowing and I make some different choices with the melody rhythm, and sometimes take liberties with the melodic line. I mean, if I was a Beatle, and I played my songs for many years, and I had to perform these songs for many years, I’d probably play around with the melody lines too! It’s nice that you can take the structure of their song and play around with it to make it more suitable as a piano solo which is what I intended with this version.

The arrangement is intended for intermediate to early advanced players–the left hand has a lot of movement, and later in the piece, there are some challenging melodic runs in the right hand, offbeat rhythms, including quarter note triplets, and a quintuplet thrown in there too!

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Let It Be

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