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Free Sheet Music Giveaway For July 2023

Free Sheet Music Giveaway, July 2023

“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” (1962), co-written and recorded by Neil Sedaka

It is common for an artist to revisit their past work. But it is less common for an artist to re-record and re-release their signature song in a drastically different style. But that is exactly what singer-songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka did with the song “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.”

Recorded by Neil Sedaka, and co-written by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” was originally released in June 1962. It was an upbeat doo-wop number and a commercial success, climbing to number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Then, 15 years later, to help revitalize his declining career, Sedaka would re-release the song as a slow piano ballad. This new version was inspired by singer Lenny Welch, who reimagined the song as a torch ballad five years prior. The move was a success: it reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and number one on the Easy Listening chart.

Now, you can reproduce the magic of the original “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” (1962) by downloading your FREE copy of the sheet music today! Typically sold for $9.95, it’s yours free in July. This version is for solo piano.

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Fun Facts About “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” by Neil Sedaka

  • The song’s iconic scat intro (“come-a come-a down, dooby doo down down”) was made up on the spot, as Sedaka and Greenfield could not come up with a lyric to properly introduce the song.
  • The song has been covered numerous times, most notably by Lenny Welch in 1970 and again by the Partridge Family in 1972.
  • Neil Sedaka claims that the 1975 version of the song was inspired by Lenny Welch’s song “Since I Fell for You,” as well as the work of Dinah Washington and The Showmen.

This version of “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” was transcribed by Tunescribers team member Gatot A.

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Free Sheet Music Giveaway June 2023: ‘Every Breath You Take’ by The Police

The single artwork for 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police
'Every Breath You Take' by The Police

Written by Sting and recorded by The Police for their fifth and final album Synchronicity (1983), ‘Every Breath You Take’ is a mid-tempo ballad sung from the perspective of a possessive person, watching over their lost lover at every turn.

The song features an iconic guitar riff played by guitarist Andy Summers, who was inspired by Béla Bartók’s violin duets while recording the part. There is also a backing piano accompaniment that consists of individual notes, repeated over and over, sprinkled throughout the song’s bridge.

Download your free digital copy of the sheet music for ‘Every Breath You Take’ by The Police today. Typically sold for $9.95, it’s yours at no cost during June 2023. This transcription is arranged for solo piano and based on this performance by Ulrika A. Rosén.

Download Free Sheet Music

The single artwork for 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police
‘Every Breath You Take’ by The Police

Fun Facts About ‘Every Breath You Take’ By The Police

  • To the dismay of Sting, the song has earned a reputation for being a love song despite the dark themes and lyrics.
  • In 2019 the song was recognized by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) as the most played song in radio history, with an estimated 15 million radio plays.
  • Sting wrote the song in response to the public outcry from his affair with ex-wife Frances Tomelty’s best friend, Trudie Styler.
  • The song was ranked No.305 on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2021.

 

This version of ‘Every Breath You Take’ by The Police was transcribed by Tunescribers team member Ranita B.

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Free Monthly Sheet Music Giveaway, May 2023

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” by Fats Waller, Harry Brooks, and Andy Razaf.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a 1929 jazz and early swing song written by Fats Waller, Harry Brooks, and Andy Razaf. It was first performed by Paul Bass and Margaret Simms at the premiere of Connie’s Hot Chocolates – a comedy musical revue written by Waller, Brooks, and Razaf – at Connie’s Inn, Harlem. The show eventually made its way to the Hudson Theatre on Broadway in June 1929, where it was renamed Hot Chocolates and Louis Armstrong made his debut as director of the pit band.

By the end of 1929 there were six recordings of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” by not just Waller but also Louis Armstrong, Bill Robinson, Gene Austin, Ruth Etting, and Leo Reisman and his orchestra. The song was then rerecorded with vocals for the 1943 movie Stormy Weather, further exposing the song to a much wider audience. Since then the song has been covered by a diverse range of artists including Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke, and country music artist Hank Williams Jr., to name a few.

Typically sold for $9.95, the sheet music for “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is free to download during May 2023. This version is arranged for solo piano and based on this performance by Stan Whitmire.

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Here Are Some Fun Facts About “Ain’t Misbehavin’”:

  • In 1978 a musical called Ain’t Misbehavin’ was released on Broadway. It celebrated the life of Fats Waller, featuring many of his most famous songs including the title track, and it also portrayed life in the 1920s.
  • Fats Waller posthumously received the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 for his 1943 version of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
  • During the original Broadway run of Hot Chocolates, Louis Armstrong was only supposed to play “Ain’t Misbehavin’” as a trumpet solo to reprise the opening. However, his performance was so well received, he was asked to come out of the orchestra pit band and play it on stage.
  • This arrangement of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is played in the key of Eb major at 75 BPM.

This version of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was transcribed by Tunescribers team member Joanne V.

Spring Sale Discount Continues in May

If you remember last month’s email, then you will know that we announced a Spring sale discount on all custom sheet music orders. The good news is that this offer is still ongoing and will continue until the end of May.

To save 20% off your order for a custom transcription, arrangement, and/or backing track, simply type in the code SPRINGSALE at checkout and you will claim the offer. You will receive the same accurate, high-quality work that you have come to expect from our supremely talented team.

 

 

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Your Free Sheet Music Giveaway for April 2023

Your Free Sheet Music Giveaway for April 2023

‘Great Balls of Fire’ by Jerry Lee Lewis

Written by Otis Blackwell and Earl Salmon Burroughs (under the stage name Jack Hammer), ‘Great Balls of Fire’ was recorded by American rock and roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis and released on November 11, 1957. It is Jerry Lee Lewis’s most popular and highest-selling single, selling over one million copies in the first ten days of its release in the United States.

The song is about a man falling in love with another, their exciting interactions (“You kissed me baby, woo, it feels good”), and the man feeling nervous but excited about the event (“I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs. I’m really nervous but it sure is fun”). The term ‘great balls of fire’ is a southern expression, one used to exclaim delight or surprise, and is thus used in the song to describe feelings of love and lust.

Download your free copy of the sheet music for ‘Great Balls of Fire’ performed by Jerry Lee Lewis today. Usually sold for $12.95, you can get it for free through all of April 2023.

Download Free Sheet Music

Here are Some Fun Facts About ‘Great Balls of Fire’ by Jerry Lee Lewis:

• The original 1957 Jerry Lee Lewis recording of the song was ranked the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone.

• In the 1986 film Top Gun, the character LTJG Nick “Goose” (played by actor Anthony Edwards) plays the song in a bar. The song is then played again by the son of LTJG Nick “Goose” (played by actor Miles Teller) in the sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

• Despite the fruitful collaboration with session musicians, Sidney Stokes (bass) and Larry Lin (drums), on the original 1957 recording of the song, Jerry Lee Lewis claimed that he never played with them ever again.

• Initially, Jerry Lee Lewis was hesitant to record ‘Great Balls of Fire’ due to his religious upbringing, but he was eventually convinced to by Sun Records owner Sam Phillips. Jerry Lee quickly grew to love the song, injecting a high level of energy and enthusiasm into his performance.

This song was transcribed for solo piano by Tunescribers team member Angel P.

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Your Free Sheet Music Giveaway for March 2023

Written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, and then recorded by Gloria Gaynor (as the B-side to a cover of “Substitute” by Willie H. Wilson), “I Will Survive” was released on October 23, 1978.

A signature song for Gloria Gaynor, “I Will Survive” has earned a reputation for being a celebration of female empowerment, and a powerful anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, especially during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The enduring legacy of “I Will Survive” is also evident in the number of diverse artists who have covered it, including the alternative rock band Cake, and the ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin on her 2014 album, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics.

To mark the 45th anniversary of the original release of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, treat yourself to a free digital copy of the sheet music, arranged for solo piano, and based on a performance by Nazareno Aversa. Originally sold for $12.95, you can get it for free throughout March 2023. Grab your copy today!

Download Free Sheet Music

Here Are Some Fun Facts About “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor:

• “I Will Survive” was originally released as a B-side, to accompany a cover of “Substitute” by Willie H. Wilson. However, after the former significantly outperformed the latter, Polydor Records re-released it as a standalone A-side.

• “I Will Survive” was recorded near the end of a three-hour long recording session, with 30 minutes left to go. Since the song was originally intended as a B-side, it was recorded under the assumption that few people would actually hear it. As a result the backing track was mostly improvised.

• In the 2021 edition of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, “I Will Survive” was placed at number 251. This was a significant jump from the 2010 edition of the list, where it reached number 492.

• This transcription of “I Will Survive” is written in the key of A-minor, played at 80 Beats Per Minute (BPM).

This song was transcribed for piano by Tunescribers team member Wei F.

Exclusive Discount Code for Custom Backing Tracks

Want to learn a new song with an accurate, high-quality instrumental backing track? Now you can for less at Tunescribers! During March 2023, when you order a custom backing track valued at over $100, type in the discount code BT30 to receive 30% off your order. Our backing tracks are arranged and performed by highly skilled musicians, and you get a high-quality MP3 recording which you can play on any modern device. You’ll receive your backing track within a week of placing your order, and we also offer a 48-hour rush service by special request.

This offer is valid throughout March 2023.

 

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Your Monthly Sheet Music Giveaway for January 2023 is Here!

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1935 film Top Hat

Grab Your Free Copy of the Sheet Music for ‘Cheek to Cheek’

Composed by Irving Berlin for the 1935 musical comedy film Top Hat, ‘Cheek to Cheek’ is a tender love song. It describes the sensation of dancing very closely with someone that you care for deeply. This feeling is best captured in perhaps the film’s most memorable scene, when lead protagonist Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) shares a beautifully choreographed dance routine with female love interest, Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers).

Aside from being well-received by audiences, ‘Cheek to Cheek’ was a commercial success, releasing in August 1935 and staying at #1 for eleven consecutive weeks. Since then, the song has been covered by over 438 artists as of July 2021, including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (1956), Billie Holiday (1958), Frank Sinatra (1959), and most recently Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga for their 2014 collaborative album of the same name.

Typically sold for $15.95, the sheet music for ‘Cheek to Cheek’ is available for free during January 2023. The arrangement, for piano and vocals, is based on a performance by the late Eva Cassidy at the Blues Alley Jazz Club on January 3, 1996.

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Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1935 film Top Hat

Fun facts about ‘Cheek to Cheek’ by Irving Berlin:

• In 2004, the Fred Astaire version of ‘Cheek to Cheek’ was placed at No. 15 on AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema.

• ‘Cheek to Cheek’ was just one of many songs that Berlin wrote for Top Hat, with others including ‘Top Hat, White Tie and Tails’ now being considered American song classics.

• ‘Cheek to Cheek’ was nominated for the Best Song Oscar in 1936 but lost to ‘Lullaby of Broadway,’ written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin.

• This version of ‘Cheek to Cheek’ is played in the key of G Major at 168 Beats Per Minute.

This song was transcribed for piano and vocals by Tunescribers team member Wei Fung F.Tunescribers team member Wei Fung F.

A Word on Our New Website Design

If you have visited the Tunescribers website recently, you may have noticed the new design and layout. This fresh new look is better optimized for mobile devices, making it easier to navigate for first-time and returning users.

In addition, the new design will not affect how you place orders – it is just as easy as before. The only thing that has changed is that you can now choose to order a Transcription or an Arrangement. Both of these options are accessible from the home page. Of course, if you change your mind – i.e. you want a transcription instead of an arrangement, or vice versa – you can make this change during the order process, without losing your progress.

To learn about the difference between arranging and transcribing, please refer to this FAQ.

 

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Your Free Monthly Sheet Music (And Bonus Tracking Track) Giveaway for December 2022 is Here

Free Sheet Music and Bonus Backing Track Giveaway for December 2022
‘White Christmas’ is a song written by Russian-American composer, songwriter, and lyricist Irving Berlin.

Where and when Berlin wrote ‘White Christmas’ is heavily disputed. One story is that he wrote it in 1940 during a weekend at the La Quinta hotel in La Quinta, California, while the owners of the Arizona Biltmore claim he wrote it there in 1939. Neither story has ever been proven. Regardless of the origin of the song, its release is well-documented and a landmark moment in the history of the Great American Songbook.

Bing Crosby first sang ‘White Christmas’ live on his NBC radio show, The Kraft Music Hall, on Christmas Day 1941, just 18 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. A recorded version of the song was then released on July 30 as part of the soundtrack for the musical film, Holiday Inn. Since then, it has been covered by many artists and the Bing Crosby version has sold over 50 million physical copies worldwide, making it the best-selling single of all time.
Grab Your Free Sheet Music and Bonus Backing Track for ‘White Christmas’

Spread some Christmas cheer this year by downloading your free copy of the sheet music for ‘White Christmas.’ This transcription is for solo piano and based on an arrangement by Beegie Adair. Originally sold for $9.95, you can grab it for free until the end of December 2022.

In addition to the sheet music, you can also download a free bonus backing track to play along with. This backing track has a bass and drums accompaniment to the piano part. To download the free backing track, first order the free sheet music, then click on the ‘Download your additional files’ tab; this will let you download an MP3 file of the backing track.

CLAIM FREE SHEET MUSIC AND BACKING TRACK

Here Are Some Fun Facts About ‘White Christmas’

  • In the book White Christmas: The Story of an American Song, American journalist and author, Jody Rosen, claims that the song was written by Berlin in response to the death of his son, who died at just three weeks old on Christmas Day in 1928.
  • In 2001, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) listed the Bing Crosby version of ‘White Christmas’ as the second-most significant song of the century, just behind ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Judy Garland which ranked first.
  • This version of ‘White Christmas’ is written in the key of B-flat minor at a tempo of 120 pm.
  • In 2000 Berlin’s daughter, Linda Emmet, commented on the fact that ‘White Christmas’ had a very nostalgic view of the holidays, saying, “It’s very evocative. The snow, the Christmas card, the sleigh, the sleigh bells – it’s very evocative, and it’s entirely secular.”

This version of ‘White Christmas’ is based on an arrangement by Beegie Adair and transcribed by Tunescribers team member Manuel A.

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Free Sheet Music Giveaway, November 2022: ‘Angie’ by The Rolling Stones

‘Angie’, the lead single from The Rolling Stones 1973 album, Goats Head Soup, is a soft rock ballad seemingly about the end of a romantic relationship. It features acoustic guitar, piano, drums, strings, and vocals.

A commercial success, the song reached No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No.5 on the UK singles chart, and stayed at No.1 in Canada as well as Australia for five consecutive weeks. Lead guitarist, Keith Richards, revealed the origin of the song in his 2010 memoir, Life, ending decades-old rumors.

Typically sold for $9.95, the digital sheet music for The Rolling Stones ‘Angie’ is free for the month of November 2022. This arrangement is for solo piano.

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Fun Facts About The Rolling Stones ‘Angie’:

  • The song was written mostly by Keith Richards, with lead vocalist, Mick Jagger, contributing some lyrics.
  • Keith Richards, in his 2010 memoir, Life, revealed that the song was “not about any particular person.” He simply liked the sound of the name Angie.
  • The song is written in the key of A minor and played at 66 beats per minute.
  • Esteemed session musician, Nicky Hopkins, played piano on the song, adding an uncharacteristically romantic element to the Stones typically aggressive, blues rock aesthetic.

This arrangement was transcribed by Tunescribers team member, Ranita B.

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Free Sheet Music Giveaway – ‘America’ from West Side Story, by Leonard Bernstein

The original West Side Story musical was a sensation when it hit Broadway in 1957. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the spellbinding play told the gritty tale of an unlikely romance between Tony, former cofounder of a local white street gang, and Maria, sister of Bernardo who was the head of a local Puerto Rican street gang.

Combining a deep narrative with lively musical numbers, West Side Story covered themes such as gang violence, racism, and the hardships of living up to the American Dream. And no more is this more evident than in ‘America,’ a supposedly pro-American song with a distinct Hispanic style and complex rhythm section.

Available for FREE throughout October 2022, download the sheet music to ‘America’ from West Side Story today. This arrangement is for piano and vocals.

Grab Your Free Sheet Music

Fun Facts About ‘America’ from West Side Story, by Leonard Bernstein:

  • The music for ‘America’ was written by famed composer, Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
  • ‘America’ has been covered numerous times by several recording artists, such as Metallica, who incorporated a few bars from it into their 1991 song, ‘Don’t Tread on Me.’
  • This arrangement of ‘America’ is played in the key of G-minor at 100 BPM
  • The 2021 film version of ‘America’ takes place at broad daylight on the streets, as opposed to the 1961 film version, which takes place at night on the rooftops.

This arrangement was transcribed by Tunescribers member Ranita B.

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Free Sheet Music Giveaway – ‘I’ll Be There’ by The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5 released ‘I’ll Be There,’ their fourth number-one hit in a row – following ‘I Want You Back,’ ‘ABC’ and ‘The Love You Save’ – on 28 August 1970. The next day, Michael Jackson turned 12. This sudden maturation of MJ, of his brothers, and of The Jackson 5 sound can all be heard in ‘I’ll Be There.’

A tender Motown ballad, ‘I’ll Be There’ eschews the up-tempo funk of past singles in favor of a slower, gentler pace, while documenting the newfound challenges of growing up: namely, grieving a lost relationship, yet still retaining hope for the future and mutual respect for others. Naturally, the song was another commercial success, but also proof that The Jackson 5 and MJ were here to stay.

Download your FREE sheet music for ‘I’ll Be There’ today. This version has been transcribed for piano and vocals and is based on an arrangement from the ‘MJ the Musical’ live show, which premiered on Broadway on 6 December 2021.

Download Your Free Sheet Music

Fun Facts About ‘I’ll Be There’ by The Jackson 5

  • In his autobiography Moon Walk, Michael Jackson stated ‘I’ll Be There’ was one of the most important songs of his career, proving The Jackson 5 could transcend the bubblegum pop sound.
  • ‘I’ll Be There’ was the most successful single released by The Jackson 5. It sold over 4.2 million copies in the United States and 6.1 million copies worldwide. It was also the most successful single on Motown at the time of release.
  • Numerous artists have covered ‘I’ll Be There,’ including Andy Williams and Mariah Carey. Her version, which also went to number-one, helped reignite public interest in the song two decades after its release.
  • ‘I’ll Be There’ was performed as part of the ‘Jackson 5 medley’ during all of Michael Jackson’s solo tours.

This song was transcribed for Piano and Vocals by Tunescribers team member Gina R.