Valerie by Amy Winehouse Acoustic Guitar - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1892937

NOTE: Transposed to D from the original Eb to make easier for string players.

"Valerie" is Amy Winehouse's electrifying rendition of The Zutons' 2006 original, recorded with producer Mark Ronson in 2007 for his album Version and later included on the deluxe edition of Back to Black. "Valerie" is an outstanding choice for intermediate bands looking to expand their repertoire into soul and retro-pop territory. The guitar provides rhythmic chord stabs that lock in with the drums and bass, teaching players about groove and restraint rather than flashy solos. The bass line is melodic and rhythmically engaging, requiring good timing and a sense of pocket. For vocalists, it offers an excellent opportunity to work on belting technique, phrasing, and emotional expression across the song's dynamic range. The track's universal appeal and infectious energy make it a crowd-pleaser that gets audiences moving.


A NOTE ABOUT DR. TOMS CHARTS

DR. TOM'S CHARTS help musicians make more music together. Inspired by the Nashville Number System and the format of the classic Rise Up Singing, these charts emphasize song form with lyrics overlaid on evenly spaced chords. These easy-to-use musical roadmaps for bands and jams allow you to focus more on what you love about the original recording, like vocal delivery, groove, harmonies, and feel. You can even experiment with different styles and meters.

In the HYBRID chart, the first chord of each line aligns with the first word or syllable on the first beat of that bar, highlighting melodic pickups and delayed vocal entries. Subsequent words or syllables may not always align exactly with every chord thereafter, but once the singer nails the entry, the rest of the line flows naturally. This format might look unfamiliar at first. But once you start thinking of chords as evenly spaced, songs lock in with better groove and accuracy. The harmonic rhythm guides the melody! For singers, a LYRICS ONLY chart provides all the words in one spot with rehearsal cues (like intros, numbered verses, bridges, and solos).

If you have questions or thoughts about these charts, I would love to hear from you!

Keep on jammin!
Dr. Tom
[email protected]



WHO IS DR. TOM?
Dr. Tom Zlabinger has played in bands and jammed since he was in high school. A performer on both electric and upright bass, he also sings and plays guitar. He is an Associate Professor of Music at York College / CUNY in New York City, where he has taught popular music performance and directed the York College Band since 2003. He holds a B.A. in music from Grinnell College, an M.A. in jazz performance from Queens College / CUNY, and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Tom has published on jams, live online performance, music making in and around various media franchises, and the intersections of blues, jazz, and psychedelic music. He has served on the boards of the Association of Popular Music Education and the Music Educators Association of New York City. Dr. Tom is passionate about making music more accessible to musicians of all levels and backgrounds. In 2022, he founded Telematic Studios to help musicians make music together, through online voice lessons, publishing accurate and easy-to-read charts, and performing music live online.